Electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen and electrostatic capacitance type pen refill for electronic pen, as well as charging tray for electronic pen and charging tray for pen refill for electronic pen

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen that facilitates charging of a power storage device housed in a housing. An electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen is provided with an electronic circuit in a cylindrical pen housing and a chargeable power storage device. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor, and the power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion, and the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of operating as power receiving electrodes by non-contact electric field coupling with a power transmission electrode of a power transmission unit of an external charging device. The electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion. At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the pen housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitive electronic pen that transmits and receives signals through electric field coupling with a position detection sensor, and a capacitive electronic pen refill. Further, the present invention relates to a charging tray for an electronic pen and a charging tray for an electronic pen refill. Background Art

[0002] An active capacitive electronic pen incorporates a signal transmission circuit and a power supply that supplies a power supply voltage to the signal transmission circuit, and a core is formed of a conductor, and a signal from the signal transmission circuit is transmitted to a position detection sensor by electrostatic coupling from the core of the conductor (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5687398)).

[0003] Due to the recent preference for miniaturization, there is also a strong demand for further miniaturization of portable electronic devices. Therefore, when an electronic pen is used together with a position detection sensor mounted in such a small electronic device, a thinner structure is required.

[0004] When a primary battery is used as the power supply for an active capacitive electronic pen, there are problems such as the need for a small dedicated primary battery that matches the requirement for thinning and the need to frequently replace the primary battery.

[0005] Therefore, as the power supply for an active capacitive electronic pen, a rechargeable power storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor that can be miniaturized is proposed as the power supply, and the power storage device is configured to be rechargeable from the outside.

[0006] Therefore, a charging electrode is provided in the pen housing of such an active capacitive electronic pen so as to be exposed to the outside.

[0007] Further, in an active capacitive electronic pen, a structure is also proposed in which a power storage device is provided in the housing, and a component obtained by winding a coil around a ferrite core is provided on the tip side in the same manner as an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen, and the power storage device is charged by an electromagnetic induction current flowing through the coil using an external charging magnetic field (refer to Patent Document 2 (WO2014 / 097953A1)). In the active capacitive electronic pen of Patent Document 2, a conductive core is inserted through a through hole of the ferrite core.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5687398

[0011] Patent Document 2: WO2014 / 097953A1

[0012] However, in the structure of the pen housing of the electronic pen where charging electrodes for charging the power storage device are provided, there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and the need for a special structure of the pen housing, resulting in high costs.

[0013] Regarding this point, in the electronic pen according to Patent Document 2, there is no need to provide the charging electrodes in a manner that exposes them to the outside from the pen housing, so the above problems do not exist.

[0014] However, as an active capacitive electrostatic type electronic pen, there is also a two-way communication type electronic pen. This two-way communication type electronic pen uses the core as the central electrode and arranges peripheral electrodes in a manner that surrounds the central electrode, and exchanges signals with the position detection sensor using the central electrode and the peripheral electrodes. However, in the active capacitive electrostatic type electronic pen of Patent Document 2, it must be configured as described above so that the conductive core is inserted through the through-hole of the ferrite core. Therefore, in the case of the pen core of this two-way communication type active capacitive electrostatic type electronic pen, the positions of the peripheral electrodes and the ferrite core wound with a coil overlap, so it is difficult to make it thinner.

[0015] Moreover, recently, the electronic pen is regarded as an extension of stationery, and it is also expected to modularize its internal structure so that it can be handled in the same way as the refill (replacement core, pen core) of a ballpoint pen. If this electronic pen core is used, there is an advantage that the housing of the ballpoint pen of stationery can still be used as it is. Hereinafter, in this specification, the internal component parts of the electronic pen are modularized and integrated, and the structure that is configured to be replaceable like the refill of a ballpoint pen is called an electronic pen core.

[0016] In this case, the electronic pen core needs to have the same thickness and length as the refill of a ballpoint pen, but it is very difficult to set the charging electrodes for charging the power storage device housed in the pen core housing so that they can be exposed from the pen core housing. For this reason, a structure in which charging electrodes are provided in the pen housing and the charging electrodes of the pen housing are used to charge the power storage device of the electronic pen core has also been considered, but in that case, there is a problem that the housing of the ballpoint pen of stationery cannot be used as it is.

[0017] Moreover, as a charging method for the power storage device of the electronic pen core, even in the case of adopting the charging method using electromagnetic induction as in Patent Document 2, in the case of the electronic pen core for the above two-way communication type electronic pen, the positions of the peripheral electrodes and the ferrite core wound with a coil also overlap, so it is difficult to form a thickness that can achieve interchangeability with the refill of a ballpoint pen of stationery. Summary of the Invention

[0018] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen and an electronic pen refill that can solve the above problems.

[0019] To solve the above problems, there is provided an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen in which an electronic circuit is provided in a cylindrical pen housing, and a rechargeable power storage device is provided. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen is characterized in that

[0020] the electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of performing electric field coupling with a power transmission electrode of a power transmission portion of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and acting as power receiving electrodes, and

[0021] the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion.

[0022] at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the pen housing.

[0023] In addition, there is provided an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen refill. At least the tip is detachably accommodated in a cylindrical pen housing of an electronic pen in a state where it can protrude from an opening on one side in the axial direction of the pen housing. An electronic circuit is provided in a cylindrical refill housing, and a rechargeable power storage device is provided. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen refill is characterized in that

[0024] the electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen refill includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of performing electric field coupling with a power transmission electrode of a power transmission portion of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and acting as power receiving electrodes, and

[0025] the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion.

[0026] at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the refill housing.

[0027] In the electronic pen having the above-described structure, the conductor portion of the cylindrical housing of the electronic pen acts as a power receiving electrode that performs electric field coupling in a non-contact manner with the power transmission electrode of the external power transmission unit. As a result, the power storage device in the housing of the electronic pen is charged by the power supplied from the external power transmission unit. Therefore, in the electronic pen having the above-described structure, even without an additional structure such as a charging electrode provided in the cylindrical housing or a coil for winding electromagnetic induction, it is possible to charge the power storage device in the housing, and the miniaturization of the active capacitive type electronic pen becomes easy.

[0028] Similarly, in the electronic pen refill having the above-described structure, the conductor portion of the cylindrical refill housing of the electronic pen refill acts as a power receiving electrode that performs electric field coupling in a non-contact manner with the power transmission electrode of the external power transmission unit. As a result, the power storage device in the refill housing of the electronic pen refill is charged by the power supplied from the external power transmission unit. Therefore, in the electronic pen refill having the above-described structure, even without an additional structure such as a charging electrode provided in the cylindrical refill housing or a coil for winding electromagnetic induction, it is possible to form a structure capable of charging the power storage device in the refill housing, and it is easy to form a structure having interchangeability with a spare refill of a ballpoint pen for stationery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a first embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a part of the electronic pen of the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a part of the electronic pen of the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a structural example of an embodiment of a charging tray for the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram showing a circuit example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen of the first embodiment and the electronic circuit of the charging tray.

[0034] Figure 6 FIG. is a diagram showing a timing chart used for explaining the operation of the electronic pen of the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a second embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention including an electronic pen refill having the electronic pen refill of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8This is a diagram showing a structural example of the pen tip of the electronic pen of the present invention for explaining an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the third embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a circuit example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen and the electronic circuit of the charging tray in the third embodiment.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing a structural example of another embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the charging tray for another embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing a structural example of yet another embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing another circuit example of the power transmission method based on electric field coupling. Detailed Embodiment

[0043] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the capacitive electronic pen and the capacitive pen tip of the present invention will be described.

[0044] [First Embodiment]

[0045] The capacitive electronic pen of the first embodiment is an example of a bidirectional communication type electronic pen that receives a signal from a position detection sensor that detects the indicated position based on the electronic pen and transmits a signal in a format of a request based on the received signal.

[0046] In the case of such a bidirectional communication type capacitive electronic pen, the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor is a signal based on an electric field that can be received by capacitive coupling, and its reach distance is very short. Therefore, the receiving portion of the bidirectional communication type electronic pen should be arranged at a position close to the pen tip so as to be able to receive the signal from the position detection sensor with a relatively large intensity.

[0047] Therefore, in this first embodiment, a receiving portion for the signal from the position detection sensor is provided in the electronic pen. However, this receiving portion is constituted by a peripheral electrode, and the peripheral electrode is a cylindrical conductor that is provided so as to surround the periphery of the core body that is the central electrode made of a conductive material, taking into account electrical insulation from the core body and covering the vicinity of the front end portion of the central electrode.

[0048] Further, recently, a method has been proposed in which a position detection device is used to detect the tilt angle of an electronic pen relative to a position detection sensor surface (the angle formed by the axial direction of the electronic pen and the position detection sensor surface; hereinafter simply referred to as the tilt angle of the electronic pen), and the detected tilt angle is reflected in the thickness of the indication locus (note trace) of the electronic pen. In the electronic pen of the first embodiment, the peripheral electrode described above is configured to be also usable for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen.

[0049] Further, in the first embodiment, the peripheral electrode is also configured to function as a shielding electrode for a central electrode that sends a position detection signal.

[0050] Figure 1 FIG. is a structural example diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen of the present invention. Figure 1 (A) of FIG. is a diagram showing the appearance of an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. Figure 1 (B) of FIG. is a longitudinal sectional view of the nib side. And Figure 2 FIG. is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of a pen housing 10 of the electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0051] In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, as Figure 1 (A) and (B) of FIG. show, the pen housing 10 is constituted by a conductive member such as a housing cylindrical portion 11 made of a conductive metal, a peripheral electrode 12 made of a conductive member such as a conductive metal is joined via an insulating member such as a cylindrical joining member 13 made of resin on the nib side of the housing cylindrical portion 11, and a front pen cap 14 is joined to the nib side of the peripheral electrode 12. The cylindrical joining member 13 functions as insulation between the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12.

[0052] As Figure 1 (A) and (B) of FIG. and Figure 2 show, the peripheral electrode 12 has a shape of a cylindrical portion 12a having a constant outer diameter and a conical portion 12b formed in a tapered shape so as to gradually become tapered toward the nib side in this example. As Figure 1 (A) and (B) of FIG. and Figure 2 show, the housing cylindrical portion 11 has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 12a of the peripheral electrode 12 in this example. The front pen cap 14 is attached to the tapered front end of the conical portion 12b of the peripheral electrode 12.

[0053] The cylindrical joining member 13 is Figure 1 (B) of FIG. and Figure 2A cylindrical body as shown has an annular flange portion 13F protruding from the outer peripheral surface at a position approximately in the middle in the axial direction. The annular flange portion 13F has a prescribed width W in the axial direction (refer to Figure 1 (A), (B) and Figure 2 ), and its end surface is flush with the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 without a step as shown in Figure 1 (A) and (B) of, and constitutes a part of the pen housing 10.

[0054] Moreover, on the side closer to the tip in the axial direction than the annular flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member 13, a first fitting cylindrical portion 13a that fits into the cylindrical portion 12a of the peripheral electrode 12 is provided. And, on the side closer to the rear end in the axial direction than the annular flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member 13, a second fitting cylindrical portion 13b that fits into the housing cylindrical portion 11 is provided.

[0055] When the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 are inserted and fitted into the cylindrical coupling member 13 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 , and in a state where the front pen cap 14 is joined at the opening 12c on the tip side of the peripheral electrode 12 (refer to Figure 2 ), the pen housing 10 is formed as a single cylindrical body as shown in Figure 1 (A). At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the housing cylindrical portion 11, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral electrode 12, and the end surface of the annular flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member 13 are flush. And, the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 made of a conductive material are not in contact due to the presence of the annular flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member 13, and are in a state of being electrically separated (insulated) from each other.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1 (B), a hollow portion 10a exists inside the pen housing 10. The front pen cap 14 mounted on the tip side of the peripheral electrode 12 is made of an insulating material, and has an opening 14a with a diameter larger than the diameter of the core body 15 constituting the center electrode at the front end side (refer to Figure 1 (B) of), and the opening 14a communicates with the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10.

[0057] Moreover, as shown in Figure 1 (B), the core body 15 is inserted into the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10 from the opening 14a of the front pen cap 14. The core body 15 is made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal, and is made of Figure 1is constituted by a rod-shaped body as shown in (B). The core body 15 is configured to be detachably fitted and held in a core body holding member 2, which will be described later, provided in the pen housing 10 in a state where its front end portion 15a protrudes to the outside. And, the opening on the rear end side of the housing cylindrical portion 11 of the pen housing 10 on the side opposite to the nib side is blocked by a lid portion 16 made of, for example, resin as shown in Figure 1 (A).

[0058] As Figure 1 shown in (B), the core body 15 made of a conductive material and the peripheral electrode 12 are electrically separated (insulated) by the front pen cap 14 made of an insulating material. In the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment, when the core body 15 is installed, as Figure 1 shown in (B), the portion of the core body 15 on the rear end side relative to the front end portion 15a as the nib is configured to be in a state of being surrounded by the peripheral electrode 12.

[0059] In the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10, as Figure 1 shown by the dashed line in (A), the core body holding member 2, the pen pressure detection portion 3, the printed circuit board 4 on which an electronic circuit including a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and the capacitor 5 as an example of a power storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit are arranged, accommodated, and disposed in order along the axial direction starting from the nib side. The electronic circuit mounted on the printed circuit board 4 includes a charging circuit for supplying a charging current to the capacitor 5. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the capacitor 5 is charged by receiving power transmitted from the outside in a non-contact power transmission manner based on electric field coupling. In this example, the capacitor 5 is constituted by, for example, an electric double layer capacitor.

[0060] And, in this first embodiment, as Figure 1 shown in (B), a substrate holder 6 for placing the printed circuit board 4 on the substrate placement table portion 61 is accommodated in the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10.

[0061] The substrate holder 6 is made of an insulating resin and has a pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 for accommodating and holding the pen pressure detection portion 3 on the side opposite to the substrate placement table portion 61 side in the length direction of the electronic pen 1 as the axial direction. The pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 has a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion inside for accommodating a plurality of parts of the pen pressure detection portion 3. The substrate placement table portion 61 has a boat-like shape for placing and holding the printed circuit board 4 and is in a shape obtained by cutting a cylindrical body approximately in half along the axial direction.

[0062] As Figure 1As shown in (B) thereof, the substrate holder 6 is housed in the pen housing 10 with the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 on the nib side. Further, it is configured such that the pen pressure detection unit 3 held by the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 is combined with the core body holding member 2 that fits into and holds the core body 15, and the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body 15 is transmitted to the pen pressure detection unit 3.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 of the substrate holder 6 is selected to be equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical coupling member 13. And as Figure 2 shown, by fitting a part of the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 of the substrate holder 6 with a part of the fitting cylindrical part 13b of the cylindrical coupling member 13, the position of the substrate holder 6 is restricted so as not to move in the axial direction within the pen housing 10.

[0064] As Figure 1 in (B) and Figure 3 shown, the core body holding member 2 that fits and holds the core body 15 is composed of a conductive elastic member 21, a core body holder 22, a spiral spring 23, and a conductor terminal member 24. In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown in (B), the core body 15 is fitted with the core body holder 22 made of a conductive material via the conductive elastic member 21, and thus is combined with and held by the core body holder 22. The core body holding member 2 also functions as a transmission member for transmitting the pen pressure applied to the core body 15 to the pen pressure detection unit 3.

[0065] Further, the core body holder 22 is configured to transmit the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body 15 to the pen pressure detection unit 3 by fitting with the holding member 33 of the pen pressure detection unit 3 held by the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62. In this case, the core body holder 22 is configured to always apply a force to the substrate holder 6 toward the core body 15 side by the spiral spring 23 which is an example of an elastic member made of a conductive material such as conductive metal. It should be noted that the spiral spring 23 and the conductor terminal member 24 together constitute an electrical connection member for transmitting the signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit disposed on the printed circuit board 4 to the core body 15.

[0066] Figure 3 (A) is a partial exploded perspective view of the core body 15, the conductive elastic member 21, the core body holder 22, the spiral spring 23, the conductor terminal member 24, and the pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 of the substrate holder 6.

[0067] The conductive elastic member 21 is made of, for example, conductive rubber and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through hole 21a into which an end portion of the core body 15 opposite to the front end portion 15a is fitted. The core body 15 side of the conductive elastic member 21 is formed into a thin wall portion by reducing the outer diameter compared with other portions, and is formed into a gripping portion 226 that easily grips the core body 15 by forming a slit 217.

[0068] By being configured in this way, the core body 15 is gripped by the two thin wall portions, i.e., the arc-shaped portions, of the gripping portion 226 where the slit 217 is formed. Therefore, the core body 15 can be easily inserted into and fitted with the gripping portion 226 of the conductive elastic member 21, and the core body 15 can be easily pulled out from the conductive elastic member 21 by pulling with a prescribed force.

[0069] The core body holder 22 is made of a conductive material such as SUS (Steel Special Use Stainless), and integrally formed with a housing and fitting portion 224 having a concave hole 224a for housing and fitting the conductive elastic member 21 and a rod-shaped portion 225 that fits with a holding member 33 of the pen pressure detection portion 3 described later.

[0070] After the conductive spiral spring 23 is attached to the rod-shaped portion 225 of the core body holder 22 that houses the conductive elastic member 21 as described above, the rod-shaped portion 225 of the core body holder 22 fits with the holding member 33 of the pen pressure detection portion 3 held on the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6.

[0071] In this case, in the electronic pen 1 of the present embodiment, it is necessary to supply the transmission signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 4 to the core body 15. In the present embodiment, an electrical connection member is constituted by a spiral spring 23 made of a conductive material provided between the core body holder 22 and the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6 and a conductor terminal member 24 provided on the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6 (refer to Figure 3 (B)), and the electrical connection for signal supply from the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 4 is achieved by this electrical connection member.

[0072] The conductor terminal member 24 is made of a conductive material such as SUS and has as Figure 3The contact plate portion 241 covers the opening side of the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6 as shown in (A) and (B) thereof, and has a through hole 241a through which the rod-shaped portion 225 of the core holder 22 is inserted. And the conductor terminal member 24 has an extension portion 242 that straddles a part of the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6 and extends to a part of the substrate placement table portion 61. And in a state where the conductor terminal member 24 is installed in the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6, as shown in (B) of Figure 1 The terminal portion 242a at the front end of the extension portion 242 extending from the conductor terminal member 24 abuts against the conductor on the back side of the printed circuit board 4 placed on the substrate placement table portion 61 of the substrate holder 6 and is soldered, for example. Thereby, the conductor terminal member 24 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit provided on the printed circuit board 4.

[0073] And the coil spring 23 elastically contacts the core holder 22 and elastically contacts the contact plate portion 241 of the conductor terminal member 24. Since the coil spring 23 is made of a conductive material and the conductive elastic member 21 and the core holder 22 have conductivity, the conductive elastic member 21 fitted to the core holder 22 is electrically connected to the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 4 via the coil spring 23 and the conductor terminal member 24.

[0074] The core 15 is inserted and fitted into the through hole 21a of the conductive elastic member 21 that is fitted to the core holder 22 housed in the pen housing 10 as described above, and the core 15 is held by the core holder 22 via the conductive elastic member 21. In this state, the core 15 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 4, and is in a state of supplying a signal from the signal transmission circuit to the core 15.

[0075] The pen pressure detection portion 3 of this example is as shown in (B) of Figure 1 It has a known structure composed of a plurality of parts including a dielectric 31, a terminal member 32, a holding member 33, a conductive member 34, and an elastic member 35, and is a structure of a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes according to the pen pressure applied to the core 15.

[0076] Next, the electrical connection between the peripheral electrode 12 and the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 4 will be described.

[0077] Here, Figure 2 The housing cylindrical portion 11, the peripheral electrode 12, and the cylindrical coupling member 13 are shown when observing the substrate holder 6 from the side opposite to the substrate placement table portion 61. As this Figure 2As shown, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling member 13, the groove 13c is formed so as to extend from the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a through the lower portion of the annular flange portion 13F in the direction along the axis of the cylindrical coupling member 13 and reach the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b. And, on the peripheral side surface of the pen pressure detection portion holding portion 62 of the substrate holder 6, a groove 62a is formed so as to be continuous with the groove 13c of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b. And, in the substrate placing table portion 61 of the substrate holder 6, a cutout portion 61a is formed as shown in Figure 2 such that the back surface 4b side of the placed printed circuit board 4 can be seen from the side of the cutout portion 61a.

[0078] And, as shown in Figure 2 , a connection terminal conductor 17 made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal, is disposed in the groove 13c and the groove 62a. In this case, the depths of the groove 13c and the groove 62a are configured such that the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor 17 is positioned lower than the outer peripheral surface of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b. Thus, when the housing cylindrical portion 11 is fitted to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member 13, an air layer exists between the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor 17 accommodated in the groove 13c and the groove 62a and the inner wall surface of the housing cylindrical portion 11, and the two are electrically separated (insulated).

[0079] Note that, as also shown in Figure 1 (B), the end portion 17a of the connection terminal conductor 17 disposed in the groove 13c on the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a side of the cylindrical coupling member 13 is disposed such that at least a part thereof bulges slightly beyond the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a. Thus, when the peripheral electrode 12 is fitted to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member 13, the end portion 17a of the connection terminal conductor 17 and the inner wall of the peripheral electrode 12 are reliably in contact, and the peripheral electrode 12 and the connection terminal conductor 17 are in an electrically connected state.

[0080] And, the end portion 17b of the connection terminal conductor 17 extending toward the printed circuit board 4 is bent at the cutout portion 61a of the substrate holder 6 and electrically connected to the back surface 4b side of the printed circuit board 4. Although not shown, the end portion 17b of the connection terminal conductor 17 is electrically connected to the circuit portion on the front surface side of the printed circuit board 4 via a through hole.

[0081] Note that the insulation between the connection terminal conductor 17 and the housing cylindrical portion 11 can be more reliably achieved by covering the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor 17 with an insulating layer.

[0082] And, although not shown in Figure 1 , the housing cylindrical portion 11 made of a conductive metal is also electrically connected to the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 4.

[0083] In the electronic pen 1 having the above-described structure, not only the front end portion of the core body 15 but also the peripheral electrode 12 that surrounds the periphery of the core body 15 is capacitively coupled to the position detection sensor through an electrostatic capacitance. Moreover, in a position detection device equipped with a position detection sensor, the indication position and the inclination of the electronic pen 1 within the detection area of the position detection sensor can be detected.

[0084] [Charging of the capacitor 5 as an example of the power storage device of the electronic pen according to the first embodiment]

[0085] In the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment, the capacitor 5 as an example of the power storage device housed in the pen housing 10 is charged by a charging method using a wireless power transmission technology based on electric field coupling.

[0086] That is, as described above, in the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment, the pen housing 10 includes a conductive housing cylindrical portion 11 and a conductive peripheral electrode 12. Therefore, in the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment, it is configured that when charging the capacitor 5, the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 are used as power receiving electrodes that receive power through electric field coupling, and based on the power received by these power receiving electrodes, the capacitor 5 is charged using a charging circuit formed in the electronic circuit of the printed circuit board 4.

[0087] In the present embodiment, as the charging device, a charging tray for an electronic pen that can perform wireless charging by placing the electronic pen 1 is used. Figure 4 FIG. shows an example of the charging tray for an electronic pen together with the electronic pen 1. Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view of the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen of this example as viewed obliquely from above, Figure 4 (B) is a side view of the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen of this example, and is a view for explaining the state in which the electronic pen 1 is placed on the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen.

[0088] That is, Figure 4 The charging tray 100 for an electronic pen of this example has a structure including a tray housing 101 having a thickness thicker than the thickness of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 and having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this example. The tray housing 101 is made of an insulating member, which is resin in this example. In this example, the length of the upper surface 101a in the long side direction is longer than the length in the axial direction of the electronic pen 1, and the length in the short side direction is longer than the thickness of the electronic pen 1.

[0089] And, in this example, as Figure 4As shown in (A) of FIG. , a recess 101b that is slightly longer than the length in the axial direction of the electronic pen 1 is provided along the long side direction at the central portion in the short side direction of the upper surface 101a of the tray housing 101. This recess 101b is for the storage and placement of the electronic pen 1, and the width of this recess 101b is configured to be larger than the thickness of the electronic pen 1. However, this recess 101b has a shape that matches the shape of the tip side of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1, and the width of one end side in the length direction for receiving the tip of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 is formed so as to gradually narrow.

[0090] When the user wants to charge the capacitor 5 of the electronic pen 1, the electronic pen 1 is placed in cooperation with the shape of the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen as Figure 4 shown in (A) of FIG. , and is stored in the recess 101b in a state where the tip side provided with the peripheral electrode 12 becomes the one end side where the width of the recess 101b gradually narrows.

[0091] Inside the tray housing 101 of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen, power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 are arranged along the length direction of the recess 101b. In this case, the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 are configured not to protrude from the bottom surface of the recess 101b, and a layer 101s made of, for example, the resin constituting the tray housing 101 is sandwiched between the bottom surface and the electrode surfaces of the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 (refer to Figure 4 FIG. (B)). And the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 are arranged such that when the electronic pen 1 is placed and stored in the recess 101b, the power transmission electrode 102 faces the housing cylindrical portion 11 of the electronic pen 1 with the resin layer 101s in between, and the power transmission electrode 103 faces the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 with the resin layer 101s in between.

[0092] The thickness of the layer 101s between the electrode surfaces of the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 and the bottom surface of the recess 101b is selected such that the strength of the electric field coupling based on the coupling capacitance Cm between the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 and the peripheral electrode 12 and the housing cylindrical portion 11 constituting the power receiving electrode of the electronic pen 1 becomes appropriate, and is set to, for example, 1 to several millimeters.

[0093] Moreover, in the tray housing 101 of the charging tray 100, an AC signal generation circuit 104 for supplying an alternating current supplied to the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 is provided in order to send out supply power from the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103.

[0094] It should be noted that the depth of the recess 101b is set to such a depth that the electric field coupling between the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 and the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 becomes appropriate when the electronic pen 1 is placed in the recess 101b.

[0095] It should be noted that in Figure 4 , although the illustration is omitted, the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen is connected with an AC plug that fits into a socket of a commercial AC power supply and is provided with a power switch.

[0096] In order to charge the electronic pen 1 by using the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen configured as above, the electronic pen 1 is placed in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen and the power switch is turned on. In this way, a power supply voltage is supplied to the AC signal generation circuit 104, and the AC signal from the AC signal generation circuit 104 flows to the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103, and the transmitted power is transmitted through the electric field coupling between the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 and the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen housed and placed in the recess 101b.

[0097] In the electronic pen 1, based on the power received by the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12, the capacitor 5 as an example of a power storage device is charged by a charging circuit of an electronic circuit. Through this charging, the electronic pen 1 becomes a state capable of operating as an active capacitive touch pen.

[0098] It should be noted that as a charging device for the electronic pen, it is not limited to Figure 4 the tray as in the example, and it may also have a structure such as the shape of a pen holder into which the electronic pen is inserted.

[0099] [Structural example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment and electrical structural example of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen]

[0100] Next, a structural example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment and an electrical structural example of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen are shown together in Figure 5 .

[0101] In the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, the electronic circuit is composed of an electronic pen circuit 200 that exchanges signals with a position detection sensor and a charging circuit 210 of the capacitor 5.

[0102] In this example, as Figure 5 shown, the electronic pen circuit 200 includes a control circuit 201 composed of an IC (Integrated Circuit) placed on a printed circuit board 4. In the electronic pen circuit 200, a signal transmission circuit 202 and a signal reception circuit 203 are connected to the control circuit 201, and a variable capacitance capacitor 3C composed of a pen pressure detection unit 3 is connected. A resistor 3R is connected in parallel with the variable capacitance capacitor 3C.

[0103] The signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the core body 15 through the switch circuit 204. The switch circuit 204 performs on / off control according to the switching control signal SW2 from the control circuit 201. In this case, the electrical connection line between the core body 15 and the switch circuit 204 sandwiches the conductor terminal member 24, the core body bracket 22, and the conductive elastic member 21 as described above.

[0104] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 11 of the pen housing 10 is connected to the movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 221, and the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 222. In this case, the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the changeover switch circuit 205 through the connection terminal conductor 17.

[0105] These changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 have a fixed terminal CH and a fixed terminal P. In the present embodiment, according to the switching control signal SW1 (described later) from the control circuit 201, they are selectively switched between a state where the movable terminal M is connected to the fixed terminal CH and a state where the movable terminal M is connected to the fixed terminal P.

[0106] The fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 221 to which the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing is connected is connected to the charging circuit 210, and the fixed terminal P is connected to the ground terminal (ground electrode) common to the electronic pen circuit 200. Moreover, the fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is connected to the charging circuit 210, and the fixed terminal P is connected to the movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 205 of the electronic pen circuit 200.

[0107] Moreover, in this example, the signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the fixed terminal S of the changeover switch circuit 205. The fixed terminal R of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to the input terminal of the signal reception circuit 203. Also, the fixed terminal G of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to the ground electrode (ground electrode). The control circuit 201 supplies the changeover switch circuit 205 with a changeover control signal SW3 for switching which one of the terminal S, the terminal R, and the terminal G the movable terminal M is connected to.

[0108] In the present embodiment, between the electronic pen charging tray 100 and the electronic pen 1, it is configured to perform wireless power transmission based on electric field coupling using a parallel resonance type circuit structure to charge the capacitor 5 which is the power storage device of the electronic pen 1.

[0109] That is, as Figure 5As shown, one end and the other end of the AC signal generation circuit 104 of the charging tray 100 are connected to one end and the other end of the primary winding 105a of the transformer 105. A capacitor 106 is connected in parallel to the secondary winding 105b of the transformer 105 to form a parallel resonance circuit 107. And one end of this parallel resonance circuit 107 is connected to the power transmission electrode 102, and the other end is connected to the power transmission electrode 103.

[0110] On the other hand, in the charging circuit 210 of the electronic pen 1, a capacitor 212 is connected in parallel to the primary winding 211a of the transformer 211 to form a parallel resonance circuit 213. And the fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 221 to which the housing cylindrical portion 11 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 is connected is connected to one end of the parallel resonance circuit 213, and the fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is connected to the other end of the parallel resonance circuit 213. The resonance frequency of this parallel resonance circuit 213 is configured to be equal to the resonance frequency of the parallel resonance circuit 107 of the charging tray 100.

[0111] And one end and the other end of the secondary winding 211b of the transformer 211 are connected to the input terminal of a rectifying circuit 214 that performs full-wave rectification, for example, and a capacitor 5 is connected between the output terminals of this rectifying circuit 214.

[0112] And, in the present embodiment, the fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is also connected to the sensor signal detection circuit 223. This sensor signal detection circuit 223 has a function of monitoring and detecting the signal received by the peripheral electrode 12 from the position detection sensor, and supplies the output signal of this detection result to the control circuit 201. The control circuit 201 generates a switching control signal SW1 for switching the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 based on the detection output of this sensor signal detection circuit 223.

[0113] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the sensor signal detection circuit 223 does not always perform the monitoring of the signal received from the position detection sensor, but only performs it during the intermittent signal reception monitoring period repeated at a prescribed cycle. Thus, by operating the sensor signal detection circuit only during the intermittent signal reception monitoring period, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the stored voltage of the capacitor 5.

[0114] And, when the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223, for example Figure 6 becomes low level as shown in the first half of (A) and indicates that the peripheral electrode 12 has not received the signal from the position detection sensor, according to the switching control signal SW1, as Figure 6As shown in the first half of (B), the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 are set to the state of being switched to the fixed terminal CH side.

[0115] And when the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223, for example Figure 6 becomes high as shown in the second half of (A) and indicates that a signal from the position detection sensor has been detected by the peripheral electrode 12, according to the switching control signal SW1, as Figure 6 shown in the second half of (B), the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 are set to the state of being switched to the fixed terminal P side.

[0116] Therefore, in an environment where the electronic pen 1 does not receive a signal from the position detection sensor (an environment where the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor are not in electric field coupling), in the electronic pen 1, the control circuit 201 switches the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 to the fixed terminal CH side according to the switching control signal SW1 generated based on the detection signal from the sensor signal detection circuit 223, and the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 are in a state of being connected to the charging circuit 210.

[0117] Therefore, in this state, when the electronic pen 1 is stored and placed in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 as described above, the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 of the charging tray 100 and the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 Figure 5 are in electric field coupling with each other through the coupling capacitor Cm as shown.

[0118] Thereby, the alternating current power generated from the alternating current signal of the alternating current signal generation circuit 104 of the charging tray 100 is transmitted from the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 to the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12, which are the power receiving electrodes of the electronic pen 1, through the coupling capacitor Cm. And in the electronic pen 1, the alternating current power transmitted to the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 is rectified in the rectifying circuit 214 via the transformer 211, and the capacitor 5 is charged by this rectified output. And the voltage across both ends of this capacitor 5 is supplied as the power supply voltage VB to the control circuit 201, the signal transmission circuit 202, the signal reception circuit 203, the switch circuit 204, the changeover switch circuit 205, and the sensor signal detection circuit 223 of the electronic pen circuit 200 respectively.

[0119] On the other hand, when in an environment where a signal from the position detection sensor is received (such an environment where the electronic pen 1 is in electric field coupling with the position detection sensor), in the electronic pen 1, the control circuit 201 switches the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal P side according to the switching control signal SW1 generated based on the detection signal from the sensor signal detection circuit 223. The housing cylindrical portion 11 is connected to the ground electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200, and the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the switching switch circuit 205 of the electronic pen circuit 200. Since the housing cylindrical portion 11 is held by the user's hand of the electronic pen 1, the ground electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200 is connected to the ground (ground wire) through the user's body, and the electronic pen 1 operates stably.

[0120] At this time, since the switching switch circuit 222 is switched to the fixed terminal P side, the reception of the signal from the position detection sensor cannot be detected in the sensor signal detection circuit 223, and the detection output is a low level indicating that the peripheral electrode 12 has not received the signal from the position detection sensor.

[0121] However, in the present embodiment, although the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223 changes from high level to low level, the control circuit 201 does not immediately switch the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal CH side.

[0122] That is, in the present embodiment, in the operating state of the electronic pen circuit 200 where the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side, as shown in (C) of Figure 6 time division control is performed on the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen circuit 200 in a signal reception mode for receiving a signal from the position detection sensor and a signal transmission mode for sending a signal to the position detection sensor, and it becomes the signal reception mode immediately after the switching to the fixed terminal P side.

[0123] In this signal reception mode, as will be described later, the signal received from the position detection sensor by the peripheral electrode 12 is detected by the signal reception circuit 203, and its detection output is supplied to the control circuit 201. Therefore, the control circuit 201 maintains the state where the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side according to the switching control signal SW1.

[0124] Further, in the present embodiment, when the control circuit 201 does not detect the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor during a period longer than the repetition period of the signal reception mode, for example, during a period that is several times the repetition period of the signal reception mode, the control circuit 201 controls the switching control signal SW1 to switch the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal CH side. This is because when the user indicates a position with the electronic pen 1, although the electronic pen 1 is separated from the position detection sensor for a short time, the state in which the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side is maintained.

[0125] The state in which the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side is a state in which electric field coupling can be performed between the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor and they can interact with each other. Therefore, the electronic pen circuit 200 performs the operations (referred to as electronic pen operations) as described below. Correspondingly, although not shown in the drawings, in the position detection device equipped with the position detection sensor, the position indicated by the electronic pen 1 is detected, and processes such as pen pressure detection and tilt detection are performed.

[0126] As Figure 6 shown in (E) of, in the signal reception mode, the electronic pen circuit 200 disconnects the switch circuit 204 and does not send out a signal from the core body 15 serving as the central electrode. It should be noted that when the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal CH side, the switch circuit 204 is also disconnected, and no signal is sent out from the core body 15. This is to avoid consuming unnecessary power.

[0127] Further, in this signal reception mode, the control circuit 201 switches the switching switch circuit 205 to the fixed terminal R side as Figure 6 shown in (F) of according to the switching control signal SW3. Therefore, the signal reception circuit 203 receives the signal from the position detection sensor received by the peripheral electrode 12 through the switching switch circuit 222 and the switching switch circuit 205, performs demodulation and other processes corresponding to the received signal, and transmits the signal of the processing result to the control circuit 201.

[0128] The control circuit 201 detects the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor based on the signal from the signal reception circuit 203, analyzes the signal received from the position detection sensor, determines the specifications of the other party's position detection device, and determines the timing of interacting with the position detection sensor of the other party's position detection device based on the determination result. Further, the control circuit 201 controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmission circuit 202 to conform to the specifications of the other party's position detection device, and interacts with the position detection sensor at the determined timing.

[0129] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 (D) of

[0130] During the signal transmission mode, the control circuit 201 executes the position detection period Ta and the tilt detection period Tb for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 multiple times in a time-division manner. During the position detection period Ta, a pulse train signal for position detection and pen pressure detection information are sent to the position detection device side. Figure 6 During the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 201 turns on the switch circuit 204 according to the switching control signal SW2 ( Figure 6 (E) of

[0131] And the switching switch circuit 205 connects the movable terminal M to the fixed terminal G according to the switching control signal SW3 (

[0132] (F) of

[0133] As a result, the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the ground terminal.

[0134] Furthermore, the control circuit 201 controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to supply a signal including a position detection signal (pulse train signal) of a specified frequency for position detection at the position detection device and pen pressure information corresponding to the pen pressure detected by the pen pressure detection unit 3 to the core 15 through the switch circuit 204, and transmits it to the position detection sensor through electrostatic capacitance coupling. At this time, since the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the ground terminal, it operates as a shielding electrode with respect to the core 15 as the center electrode, preventing noise from mixing into the core 15. Figure 6 During the period when the position detection pulse train signal is sent out from the signal transmission circuit 202, the control circuit 201 performs an operation of detecting the pen pressure based on the electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 3C constituted by the pen pressure detection unit 3.

[0135] [Effect of the First Embodiment]

[0136] As described above, the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment uses a wireless power transmission technology based on electric field coupling to charge the power storage device housed in the pen housing 10. It uses the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 of the electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen 1 as the power receiving electrodes. Therefore, it can be configured to charge the power storage device while maintaining the slim shape of the electronic pen.

[0137] Moreover, for the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment above, by simply placing the electronic pen 1 in the recess corresponding to the shape of the pen housing in the charging tray that uses the wireless power transmission technology based on electric field coupling for charging, the power storage device built into the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 can be charged. In this case, in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 are used as the power receiving electrodes. Therefore, it has the effect of being able to simplify the structure of the pen housing without the need for a special structure such as a charging electrode terminal in the pen housing 10.

[0138] Also, in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, a changeover switch circuit 221 and 222 are provided with respect to the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10, and they are switched between when charging is possible and when the electronic pen is used as an electronic pen to interact with the position detection sensor. Therefore, the mechanical structure of the electronic pen 1 also has the effect of being able to use the conventional structure as it is without being configured into a special structure.

[0139] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the changeover switch circuit 221 and 222 are automatically switched by the control circuit 201 based on the detection output of the sensor signal detection circuit 223 that detects whether a signal from the position detection sensor can be received. Therefore, the user can charge the electronic pen 1 by simply placing it on the charging tray 100 in an environment where it is not in electric field coupling with the position detection sensor.

[0140] Also, the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment has a structure of a bidirectional communication type electronic pen. However, as a charging method, it does not use the charging method that utilizes electromagnetic induction as in Patent Document 2, but uses a wireless power transmission technology based on electric field coupling for charging. Therefore, there is no need to wind a coil around the outer periphery of the pen housing, and thus it is easy to make the electronic pen slim.

[0141] Note that, in the above first embodiment, a structure is formed in which the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 are automatically switched based on the detection output of the sensor signal detection circuit 223 in the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1. However, of course, it may also be configured to provide an operation button in the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 that can be switched when charging and when used as an electronic pen, so that the user can perform the switching operation. In that case, the sensor signal detection circuit 223 is not provided, and the control circuit 201 is configured to be able to detect the operation state of the operation button, and is configured to switch the switching switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal CH side according to the switching control signal SW1 when the user operates the operation button to switch the electronic pen 1 to the charging mode.

[0142] [Embodiments of the electronic pen core and the electronic pen of the second embodiment]

[0143] The above first embodiment is an example of an electronic pen, but the present invention may also have a structure of an electronic pen core that can be detachably mounted on a pen housing.

[0144] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , embodiments of the electronic pen core of the present invention, structural examples of the electronic pen core of the embodiment, and structural examples of the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment equipped with the electronic pen core 1CT of the embodiment will be described.

[0145] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a structural example of the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment that houses the electronic pen core 1CT of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7 (A) and (B) of, the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment has a tapping structure in which the electronic pen core 1CT of the embodiment is detachably housed in the hollow portion 401a of the pen housing 401, and the tip side of the electronic pen core 1CT of the embodiment is inserted and removed from the opening 401b side at one end in the axial direction of the pen housing 401 through the tapping cam mechanism portion 410.

[0146] The electronic pen core 1CT of the embodiment described below is configured to have the same size as the refill of a tapping-type ballpoint pen for stationery and is configured to be interchangeable with the refill of a ballpoint pen. Therefore, the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment can directly use the same housing as the housing of a tapping-type ballpoint pen for stationery as it is.

[0147] Figure 7 (A) of shows a state in which the entire electronic pen core 1CT is housed in the hollow portion 401a of the pen housing 401, Figure 7(B) shows a state where the tip side of the electronic pen refill 1CT protrudes from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 by tapping the cam mechanism portion 410. It should be noted that, in Figure 7 the example of, it is shown that the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400 is made of a transparent synthetic resin and the internal state can be seen through.

[0148] The pen housing 401 and the tapping cam mechanism portion 410 provided inside the pen housing 401 have the same structure as those of a known commercially available tapping ballpoint pen, and the dimensional relationships are also configured to be the same.

[0149] As Figure 7 shown, the tapping cam mechanism portion 410 is a known structure that combines a cam main body 411, a tapping rod 412, and a rotating member 413. The cam main body 411 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pen housing 401. The tapping rod 412 has an end portion 412a protruding from the opening 401c on the side of the pen housing 401 opposite to the tip side so as to be able to receive the tapping operation of the user. The rotating member 413 has a fitting portion 413a for fitting the end portion on the side of the electronic pen refill 1CT opposite to the tip side. The detailed structure and its operation of the tapping cam mechanism portion 410 are well known, so the description thereof is omitted here.

[0150] [Structural example of the electronic pen refill 1CT]

[0151] The electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment is the same in structure as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, except that the dimensions such as the length and thickness are different as described below. In the following description of the electronic pen refill 1CT of the embodiment, the same structural parts corresponding to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by adding the suffix CT to the same reference numerals.

[0152] Figure 8 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing a comparison between the structural example of the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment and the spare refill 7 of a commercially available tapping ballpoint pen. It should be noted that, Figure 1 the internal structural example of the electronic pen 1 shown in (B) also has the same structure in the second electronic pen refill 1CT, so the illustration is omitted in Figure 8 .

[0153] As Figure 8As shown in (A) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided], a spare refill 7 of a commercially available ballpoint pen having a knock-type structure has a well-known structure in which a nib portion 71 having a ball at its tip and a cylindrical ink storage portion 72 having a constant outer diameter are integrated by a cylindrical coupling portion 73 having a constant outer diameter. The nib portion 71 has a cylindrical shape, and the tip side of the nib portion 71 is formed in a conical shape, with a maximum outer diameter R1 that is smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400. The coupling portion 73 and the ink storage portion 72 have the same outer diameter R2, which is slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter R1 of the nib portion 71. For example, R2 = 2.2 mm. It should be noted that the diameter R0 of the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 is set such that R1 < R0 < R2.

[0154] On the other hand, the housing (hereinafter referred to as the refill housing) 10CT of the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment is configured as shown in (A), (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided] and (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided] in the same manner as the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. A conductive member, such as a peripheral electrode 12CT made of a conductive metal, is coupled via a cylindrical coupling member 13CT to the tip side of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT, and a front cap 14CT is coupled to the tip side of the peripheral electrode 12CT. The housing cylindrical portion 11CT is also made of a conductive metal in this example, similar to the housing cylindrical portion 11 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. However, instead of a cap portion, a resin tube portion 16CT is coupled to the rear end side of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the refill housing of the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment, and this resin tube portion 16CT is a fitting portion of the electronic pen refill 1CT that fits into the fitting portion 413a inside the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400. Figure 7 As shown in (A), (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided] and Figure 8 (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided],

[0155] In the case of this example, as shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided], the dimensions on the tip side of the electronic pen refill 1CT are configured to be substantially equal to the dimensions on the tip side of the spare refill 7 of the ballpoint pen. That is, the outer diameter of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the refill housing 10CT is the same as the outer diameter R2 of the ink storage portion 72 and the coupling portion 73 of the spare refill 7 of the commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and the peripheral electrode 12CT is configured such that the diameter on the tip side from approximately the middle position in the axial direction of the conical portion 12CTb is equal to or less than the diameter R0 of the opening 401b on the tip side of the pen housing 401. Figure 8 And, as shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided], it is configured such that when the core body 15CT is inserted through the opening of the front cap 14CT and installed in the electronic pen refill 1CT, the length from the tip of the core body 15CT to the position where the outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 12CT becomes the diameter R1 is substantially equal to the length L1 in the axial direction of the nib portion 71 of the spare refill 7 of the commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. And, as

[0156] Furthermore, as shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. [FIG. number not provided], Figure 8 when the core body 15CT is inserted through the opening of the front cap 14CT and installed in the electronic pen refill 1CT, the length from the tip of the core body 15CT to the position where the outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 12CT becomes the diameter R1 is substantially equal to the length L1 in the axial direction of the nib portion 71 of the spare refill 7 of the commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. And, asFigure 8 As shown in (A) and (B) thereof, the length (total length) of the electronic pen refill 1CT with the core 15CT installed is selected to be equal to the total length L2 of the spare refill 7 of the ballpoint pen.

[0157] The electronic pen refill 1CT with the above structure can be housed in the pen housing 401 by fitting the resin tube portion 16CT on the rear end side of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the refill housing 10CT with the fitting portion 413a of the rotating member 413 of the tapping cam mechanism portion 410.

[0158] Moreover, in the electronic pen 400 of the present embodiment, when the user uses it together with the position detection device, the end portion 412a of the tapping rod 412 is pressed. In this way, through the tapping cam mechanism portion 410, the electronic pen refill 1CT is locked in the pen housing 401 Figure 7 in the state of (B) thereof, and the tip side of the electronic pen refill 1CT is in a state of protruding from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401. At this time, in the electronic pen refill 1CT, as shown in Figure 7 the (B) thereof, a part of the tip side of the front end portion 15CTa of the core 15CT and the tapered portion 12CTb of the peripheral electrode 12CT is in a state of protruding from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 to the outside, and the core 15CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT can be electrically coupled with the position detection sensor and interact with each other.

[0159] After the use of the electronic pen 400 is completed, the end portion 412a of the tapping rod 412 is pressed again from the Figure 7 state of (B) thereof. In this way, the locked state is released by the tapping cam mechanism portion 410, and the position of the electronic pen refill 1CT in the pen housing 401 returns to the Figure 7 state of (A) thereof through the return spring 402. At this time, the whole of the electronic pen refill 1CT is housed in the hollow portion 401a of the pen housing 401, and the front end portion 15CTa of the core 15CT of the electronic pen refill 1CT is in a state of being protected by the pen housing 401.

[0160] Moreover, in the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment, the conductive metal portion of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the refill housing 10CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT act as power receiving electrodes that are electrically coupled with the power transmission electrode of the charging tray for the electronic pen refill through a coupling capacitor.

[0161] When charging the capacitor 5CT provided in the refill housing 10CT of the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment as a power storage element, the electronic pen refill 1CT is removed from the electronic pen 400 and housed and placed in the recess formed in the charging tray for the electronic pen refill.

[0162] The charging tray for the electronic pen refill has the same structure as the Figure 4 charging tray 100 for the electronic pen shown in FIG. Therefore, the illustration and its detailed description are omitted here. However, in the charging tray for the electronic pen refill, the Figure 4 size of the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen shown in FIG. is changed to a size corresponding to the length and thickness of the electronic pen refill 1CT, and the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 are arranged to perform electric field coupling with the conductive metal part of the housing cylindrical part 11CT of the pen refill housing 10CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT, respectively.

[0163] In the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment using the electronic pen refill 1CT of the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0164] [Third Embodiment]

[0165] In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a two-way communication type electronic pen and an electronic pen refill. However, the present invention can also be applied to an electronic pen and an electronic pen refill that are not of the two-way communication type.

[0166] The following-described third embodiment is an example of such a type of electronic pen.

[0167] Figure 9 FIG. is a structural example diagram of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment. Figure 9 (A) of FIG. shows the appearance of the capacitive type electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment. Figure 9 (B) of FIG. is a longitudinal sectional view of the tip side. In the following description of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the same parts as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0168] The electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment does not have the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, as Figure 9 (A) and (B) of FIG. show, a front pen cap 14A made of an insulating material such as resin is coupled to the tip side of the housing cylindrical part 11A to form the pen housing 10A of the electronic pen 1A. The case where a cover part 16A is installed and blocked on the rear end side of the housing cylindrical part 11A is the same as that of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0169] In this case, as Figure 9 (A) and (B) of FIG. show, the front pen cap 14A has the same size and conical shape as the part that couples the peripheral electrode 12 and the front pen cap 14 in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, and is installed on the tip side of the housing cylindrical part 11A.

[0170] Further, in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the housing cylindrical portion 11A of the pen housing 10A has a structure in which two metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal, are connected by a cylindrical coupling member 11Ac made of an insulating material, in this example, resin.

[0171] The cylindrical coupling member 11Ac has the same structure as the cylindrical coupling member 13 in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, and has an annular flange portion 11AcF, and is formed into a structure in which the metal tube portion 11Aa and the metal tube portion 11Ab connected via the cylindrical coupling member 11Ac are electrically insulated by the annular flange portion 11AcF.

[0172] Further, the structure of the portion housed in the hollow portion 10Aa of the pen housing 10A in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment is the same as that of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the hollow portion 10Aa of the pen housing 10A, as Figure 9 shown by the dotted line in (A) of, the core holding member 2, the pen pressure detection portion 3, the printed circuit board 4 on which an electronic circuit including a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and the capacitor 5 as an example of a power storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit are arranged and housed in order along the axial direction from the tip side. And, like the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the core 15 is inserted through the opening 14Aa of the front pen cap 14A, and the other end of the core 15 is held by the core holding member 2 in a state where the front end portion 15a of the core 15 protrudes to the outside.

[0173] Further, in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the two metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab of the housing cylindrical portion 11A of the pen housing 10A are configured to act as power receiving electrodes that perform electric field coupling with the power transmission electrodes of the charging tray in a non-contact power transmission method based on electric field coupling through the coupling capacitor Cm.

[0174] Note that, in the third embodiment, the button operation portion 18 for switching between the chargeable state and the electronic pen operation state is provided so as to protrude from the pen housing 10A to the outside. The on / off switch for the button operation of the button operation portion 18 is connected to the control circuit of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A.

[0175] [Structural example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment and electrical structural example of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen 1A]

[0176] Next, a structural example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment and an electrical structural example of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen are shown together in Figure 10The charging tray 100A for the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment is different from the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment only in the installation positions of the power transmission electrodes 102A and 103A, and the other structures are the same. In the charging tray 100A, the same parts as those of the charging tray 100 are labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the charging tray 100, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. Also, in the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A, the same components as those of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numerals for illustration.

[0177] As Figure 10 shown, in the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A, similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, it includes an electronic pen circuit 200A for signal transmission and reception with a position detection sensor and a charging circuit 210 configured in the same way as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0178] Moreover, the metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab of the housing cylindrical portion 11A of the pen housing 10A are respectively connected to a changeover switch circuit 221A and a changeover switch circuit 222A that switch to the fixed terminal CH side when charging is possible and switch to the fixed terminal P side when the electronic pen operates.

[0179] The electronic pen circuit 200A also includes a control circuit 201A formed by an IC placed on a printed circuit board 4 as Figure 10 shown in this example. In the electronic pen circuit 200A, a signal transmission circuit 202, a parallel circuit of a variable capacitance capacitor 3C and a resistor 3R formed by a pen pressure detection unit 3, and a switch 18S that is turned on and off by a button operation of a button operation unit 18 are connected to the control circuit 201A. Also, similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the core 15 through a switch circuit 204.

[0180] In the electronic pen circuit 200A of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, when the button operation unit 18 is not pressed and the switch 18S is off, the control circuit 201A switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal P side according to a switching control signal SW1. Therefore, the metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab of the housing cylindrical portion 11A of the pen housing 10A are connected to the ground terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200A. Thereby, the ground electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200A is connected to the ground (grounding wire) through the user's body, and the electronic pen 1A operates stably.

[0181] Further, the control circuit 201A turns on the switch circuit 204 according to the switching control signal SW2, and controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to transmit the position detection signal and the pen pressure information to the position detection sensor through the core 15.

[0182] Further, when the button operation unit 18 is pressed and the switch 18S is turned on, the control circuit 201A switches the switching switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal CH side according to the switching control signal SW1. Further, the control circuit 201A turns off the switch circuit 204 according to the switching control signal SW2, and does not control the signal transmission circuit 202, reducing the unnecessary power consumption in the electronic pen circuit 200A.

[0183] In this state, when the electronic pen 1A is received and placed in the recess 101b of the electronic pen charging tray 100A, the power transmission electrodes 102A and 103A of the electronic pen charging tray 100A and the metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab of the metal tube portion 11A of the pen housing 10A of the electronic pen 1A are as Figure 10 shown, and are capacitively coupled to each other through the coupling capacitor Cm.

[0184] Thereby, the alternating current power generated from the alternating current signal of the alternating current signal generation circuit 104 of the charging tray 100A is transmitted from the power transmission electrodes 102A and 103A to the metal tube portions 11Aa and 11Ab serving as the power receiving electrodes of the electronic pen 1A through the coupling capacitor Cm, and the capacitor 5 is charged in the charging circuit 210.

[0185] In the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0186] It should be noted that in the electronic pen 1A of the above-described third embodiment, the button operation unit 18 for switching between the chargeable state and the operation state of the electronic pen may not be provided on the housing cylindrical portion 11A, but may be provided on the cover portion 16A and installed so as to be pressed in the axial direction like a tapping operation.

[0187] Further, in the electronic pen 1A of the above-described third embodiment, the user's manual operation of the button operation unit 18 is used to switch between the chargeable state and the operation state of the electronic pen. However, in this third embodiment, it is also configured as follows, thereby monitoring the reception of the signal from the position detection sensor. When the signal from the position detection sensor can be received, it is set as the operation state of the electronic pen. In an environment where the signal from the position detection sensor cannot be received other than this, it is set as the chargeable state, and automatic switching can be performed.

[0188] That is, the conductive core 15 of the electronic pen 1A is not dedicated to transmission. Through the control circuit 201A, regardless of whether it is in the charging state or the operating state of the electronic pen, the receiving mode of receiving signals from the position detection sensor is always executed at a specified intermittent period. That is, the core 15 is switched between the transmission mode and the receiving mode in a time-sharing manner. It should be noted that when it is in the charging state, it will not be set to the transmission mode, and only the intermittent receiving mode is executed.

[0189] Moreover, during multiple receiving modes, when no signal from the position detection sensor is continuously received, the control circuit 201A is not electrically coupled to the position detection sensor, determines that it is in the charging state, and switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal CH side. And when a signal from the position detection sensor is detected during the receiving mode, it is determined that the environment is electrically coupled to the position detection sensor, and the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A are switched to the fixed terminal P side, and this switching state is maintained at least until the next receiving mode period.

[0190] Thus, in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, there is no need to provide a button operation unit 18, and the capacitor 5 as an example of a power storage device can be charged only by being stored in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100A.

[0191] It should be noted that the structure of the electronic pen of this third embodiment can also be applied to the structure of the electronic pen core in the same way as the relationship between the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen core 1CT of the second embodiment.

[0192] [Other Embodiments]

[0193] The electronic pen and the electronic pen core of the above-described embodiments have a structure in which a part of the pen housing or the pen core housing serves as a pair of power receiving electrodes. However, one of the pair of power receiving electrodes may use a part of the pen housing or the pen core housing, and the other may be an additional member different from the pen housing or the pen core housing.

[0194] Figure 11 It is a diagram for explaining a structural example of an electronic pen 1B having a structure in which an additional member serves as one of a pair of power receiving electrodes. In this Figure 11 example of the electronic pen 1B, similar to the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the pen housing 10B is formed by combining a resin front pen cap 14B on the tip side of a housing cylindrical portion 11B made of a conductive metal, and the core 15 is detachably mounted through the opening of the front pen cap 14B. It should be noted that in Figure 11Although the illustration is omitted, in this example, a button operation unit for switching between charging and electronic pen operation is also provided in the cylindrical housing portion 11B of the pen housing 10B.

[0195] Moreover, in the electronic pen 1B of this example, a pen clip 19B made of a conductive material such as conductive metal is attached as an example of an additional member to the rear end portion of the cylindrical housing portion 11B of the pen housing 10B.

[0196] As Figure 11 shown, in this example, an installation portion 191B made of an insulating material such as resin is provided on the side of the pen clip 19B where it is attached to the pen housing 10B. A part of the installation portion 191B is inserted and fitted into the pen housing 10B from the opening of the pen housing 10B, whereby the pen clip 19B is attached to the rear end side of the cylindrical housing portion 11B of the pen housing 10B.

[0197] Moreover, an insulating member 192B, which is shown entirely blacked out in Figure 11 , is attached to the portion of the end of the pen clip 19B on the side opposite to the installation portion 191B that contacts the pen housing 10B. It should be noted that instead of providing the insulating member 192B at the end of the pen clip 19B, electrical insulation between the pen clip 19B and the cylindrical housing portion 11B can be achieved by, for example, applying an insulating coating to the portion of the cylindrical housing portion 11B that contacts the pen clip 19B.

[0198] With the above structure, in the electronic pen 1B of this Figure 11 example, the cylindrical housing portion 11B and the pen clip 19B, which are electrically insulated from each other, constitute a power receiving electrode that performs electric field coupling with the power transmission electrode of the charging tray 100B (refer to Figure 12 ).

[0199] In this case, as Figure 11 shown, the pen clip 19B is configured to include a terminal portion 19Ba that penetrates the installation portion 191B and has its front end portion exposed inside the hollow portion of the cylindrical housing portion 11B, and is formed in a structure where the terminal portion 19Ba is connected to the charging circuit 210. And, as in the third embodiment, the cylindrical housing portion 11B is connected to the charging circuit 210 through a switching switch circuit that switches between the fixed terminal CH and the fixed terminal P during charging and when the electronic pen is operating. In the case of this example, the fixed terminal P of the switching switch circuit is connected to the ground terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200 in the same manner as in the aforementioned first embodiment.

[0200] Moreover, the charging tray 100B for the electronic pen 1B of this example is configured as Figure 12 shown. That is, the basic structure of the charging tray 100B is the same as that using Figure 4The charging tray 100 for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment of the description is similarly configured, except that the shape of the recess 101Bb for accommodating and placing the electronic pen 1B and the arrangement states of the power transmission electrodes 102B and 103B are different from those of the charging tray 100.

[0201] That is, the recess 101Bb of the charging tray 100B is formed in a shape having a stepped recess portion 101Bba for accommodating the pen clip 19B when the electronic pen 1B is accommodated and placed in the recess 101Bb with the pen clip 19B on the lower side. In this case, the depth of the stepped recess portion 101Bba is selected to be equal to the separation distance between the housing cylindrical portion 11B and the pen clip 19B.

[0202] And, as Figure 12 shown, a power transmission electrode 103B that performs electric field coupling with the pen clip 19B in a non-contact manner is disposed at the lower part of the stepped recess portion 101Bba of the charging tray 100B. And a power transmission electrode 102B that performs electric field coupling with the housing cylindrical portion 11B of the electronic pen 1B located in this part is disposed at the lower part of the part of the recess 101Bb other than the stepped recess portion 101Bba.

[0203] In the case of the electronic pen 1B in this example, the structure of the electronic circuit is such that in the circuit Figure 10 shown, the metal tube portion 11Aa of the housing cylindrical portion 11A is replaced with the housing cylindrical portion 11B, the metal tube portion 11Ab is replaced with the pen clip 19B, and the changeover switch circuit 222A is not provided, which is equivalent to being formed in a structure where the pen clip 19B is connected to the charging circuit 210.

[0204] In the Figure 11 example of the electronic pen 1B, the same operational effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment can also be obtained.

[0205] Figure 13 FIG. is a structural example of an electronic pen 1C for explaining another example of forming a power receiving electrode by an additional member. The Figure 13 example of the electronic pen 1C is also the same as the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment. The pen housing 10C is formed by combining a front pen cap 14C made of resin on the tip side of a housing cylindrical portion 11C made of a conductive metal, and the core 15 is detachably attached through an opening of the front pen cap 14C. And, in the Figure 13 example, although not shown, a button operation portion for switching between when charging is possible and when the electronic pen operates is provided on the housing cylindrical portion 11C of the pen housing 10C.

[0206] And, in this Figure 13In the electronic pen 1C of the example, the cover portion 16C that blocks the opening on the rear end side of the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing has a cap shape that covers a predetermined length of the rear end side of the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing. In this example, the cover portion 16C is made of a conductive metal. And, on the inner wall surface of the concave hole in the cover portion 16C into which the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing is inserted, an insulating layer 16Cs is applied as shown by being entirely blackened in Figure 13 When the cover portion 16C is attached to the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing through this insulating layer 16Cs, the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing and the cover portion 16C are in a state of being electrically insulated from each other.

[0207] And, in this example, as shown in Figure 13 , the cover portion 16C is formed into a structure that penetrates the insulating layer 16Cs and is connected to the charging circuit 210 inside the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing. And, similar to the third embodiment, the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing is connected to the charging circuit 210 through a switching switch circuit that switches to the fixed terminal CH and the fixed terminal P when charging is possible and when the electronic pen operates. In this example, the fixed terminal P of the switching switch circuit is connected to the ground terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200 in the same manner as in the aforementioned first embodiment.

[0208] And, although not shown in the figure, the charging tray for the electronic pen 1C of this example can be formed into the same structure as the charging tray 100B for the electronic pen 1B shown in Figure 12 . However, in the charging tray for the electronic pen 1C, the shape of the stepped recessed portion 101Bba of the recess 101Bb of the charging tray 100B is made to correspond to the circumferential side surface of the cover portion 16C, and the length and depth are made to be the length and thickness that cover the cylindrical portion 11C of the cover portion 16C. And, the power transmission electrodes are arranged to perform electric field coupling with the cylindrical portion 11C of the housing and the cover portion 16C in a non-contact manner.

[0209] In the case of the electronic pen 1C of this example, the structure of the electronic circuit is provided with the cover portion 16C instead of the pen clip 19B, and thus it is formed into the same structure as the structure described for the electronic pen 1B of the example in Figure 11 .

[0210] In the electronic pen 1C of this Figure 13 example, the same operational effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment can also be obtained.

[0211] [Other embodiments or modification examples]

[0212] In the embodiments described above, as the power transmission circuit method of the electric field coupling method between the electronic pen and the charging tray, the structure of a parallel resonance type circuit is used, but it can also be formed into Figure 14The structure of a series resonance type circuit as shown. Figure 14 The circuit example is a case where the electric field coupling type power transmission circuit method using a series resonance type circuit is applied in the case of the electronic pen 1 and the charging tray 100 of the first embodiment. In this case, an inductor 108 and an inductor 215 are connected in series to the coupling capacitor Cm between the power receiving electrodes 11 and 12 of the electronic pen 1 and the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 of the charging tray 100.

[0213] Reference numeral description

[0214] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 400... electronic pen, 1CT... electronic pen tip, 2... core body holding member, 3... pen pressure detection unit, 4... printed circuit board, 5... capacitor as an example of a power storage device, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... pen housing, 10CT... tip housing, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11CT... housing cylindrical part, 11Aa, 11Ab... metal pipe part, 11Ac... cylindrical coupling member, 12, 12CT... peripheral electrode, 13... cylindrical coupling member, 14, 14A, 14B, 14C... front pen cap, 15, 15CT... core body, 16, 16C... cover part, 100, 100B... charging tray.

Claims

1. An electronic pen using an electrostatic capacitance method has an electronic circuit disposed in a cylindrical pen housing and a rechargeable power storage device. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method is characterized in that the electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of operating as power receiving electrodes by non-contact electric field coupling with a power transmission electrode of a power transmission portion of an external charging device. And the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion. at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the pen housing.

2. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method includes: a rod-shaped center electrode, the front end of which protrudes to the outside from an opening on the nib side in the axial direction of the pen housing and performs electric field coupling with the position detection sensor; and a peripheral electrode provided to surround the periphery of the center electrode in a state of being electrically insulated from the center electrode. the pen housing includes a portion where the peripheral electrode is joined via an insulating member on the nib side of a cylindrical portion made of a conductive member. one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is the cylindrical portion made of the conductive member, and the other is the peripheral electrode.

3. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 2, characterized in that the cylindrical portion made of the conductive member is connected to a first switching circuit, and the first switching circuit can switch between a state of being connected to the charging circuit and a state of being connected to a ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

4. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 2, characterized in that the peripheral electrode is connected to a second switching circuit, and the second switching circuit can switch between a state of being connected to the charging circuit and a state of being connected to an output terminal of a signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit or an input terminal of a received signal from the position detection sensor.

5. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method includes an operation portion that is exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the pen housing in a manner that can be operated by a user, and the first switching circuit is switched according to the operation of the operation portion.

6. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method includes an operation portion that is exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the pen housing in a manner that can be operated by a user, and the second switching circuit is switched according to the operation of the operation portion.

7. The electronic pen using the electrostatic capacitance method according to claim 3, characterized in that The peripheral electrode operates as a receiving unit for receiving signals from the position detection sensor. When the peripheral electrode is in a state of receiving signals from the position detection sensor, the first switching circuit switches to a state in which the conductor portion of the pen housing is connected to the ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

8. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 4, wherein: The peripheral electrode operates as a receiving unit for receiving signals from the position detection sensor. When the peripheral electrode is not in a state of receiving signals from the position detection sensor, the second switching circuit switches to a state in which the peripheral electrode is connected to the charging circuit.

9. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: The pen housing includes a cylindrical housing portion that combines two cylindrical portions each formed of a conductive member via an insulating member. The two cylindrical portions are configured to act as the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, and At least one of the two cylindrical portions is connected to a switching circuit that switches between a state of being connected to the charging circuit and a state of being connected to the ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

10. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 9, wherein: The capacitive electronic pen includes an operation unit that is exposed in a manner that allows a user to operate it, The switching circuit is switched according to the operation of the operation unit.

11. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: The pen housing includes a cylindrical portion formed of a conductive member that constitutes one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, An additional member is provided on the pen housing in an insulated state from the cylindrical portion, and the additional member is formed of a conductive member that constitutes the other of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion.

12. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein: The additional member is a pen clip.

13. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein: The additional member is a member that closes an opening on the rear end side of the pen housing, which is opposite to the nib side in the axial direction.

14. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: The power storage device is a capacitor.

15. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: As a transmission circuit method of the electric field coupling method with the power transmission unit, it is formed in a structure using a series resonance type circuit.

16. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: As a transmission circuit method of the electric field coupling method with the power transmission unit, it is formed in a structure using a parallel resonance type circuit.

17. An electronic pen tip of a capacitive type, at least the tip is detachably accommodated in the pen housing of the electronic pen in a state of being able to protrude from an opening on one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical pen housing. An electronic circuit is provided in the cylindrical pen tip housing, and a rechargeable power storage device is provided. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electronic pen tip of the capacitive type is characterized in that the electronic pen tip of the capacitive type includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of performing electric field coupling with the power transmission electrodes of the power transmission portion of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and acting as power receiving electrodes, and the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit. The charging circuit can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the pen tip housing.

18. A charging tray for an electronic pen. The electronic pen is an electronic pen of a capacitive type. An electronic circuit is provided in the cylindrical pen housing, and a rechargeable power storage device is provided. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electronic pen includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner of performing electric field coupling with the power transmission electrodes of the power transmission portion of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and acting as power receiving electrodes, and the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit. The charging circuit can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion. At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the pen housing. The charging tray for the electronic pen is characterized in that the charging tray for the electronic pen has a recess. The recess is configured to hold the placed electronic pen in place and is longer than the length of the pen housing of the electronic pen in the axial direction, and the charging tray for the electronic pen includes: a first power transmission electrode and a second power transmission electrode that perform electric field coupling with the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion of the electronic pen placed and held in the recess; and a power transmission power supply for generating power transmitted through the first power transmission electrode and the second power transmission electrode.

19. A charging tray for an electronic pen refill. The electronic pen refill is an electronic pen refill of the capacitive type. At least the tip is detachably received in the pen housing of the electronic pen in a state where it can protrude from an opening on one side in the axial direction of the cylindrical pen housing. An electronic circuit is provided in the cylindrical refill housing, and a rechargeable power storage device is provided. The electronic circuit includes a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to a position detection sensor. The power storage device supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. The electronic pen refill includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion and the second conductor portion are provided so as to be exposed to the outside in a manner that they act as power receiving electrodes by non-contact electric field coupling with the power transmission electrodes of the power transmission portion of an external charging device. And the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit. The charging circuit can charge the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion. At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is constituted by a part of the refill housing. The charging tray for the electronic pen refill is characterized in that the charging tray for the electronic pen refill has a recess. The recess is configured to hold the placed electronic pen refill in place and is longer than the length of the refill housing of the electronic pen refill in the axial direction. And the charging tray for the electronic pen refill includes: a first power transmission electrode and a second power transmission electrode that perform electric field coupling with the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion of the electronic pen refill placed and held in the recess; and a power transmission power supply for generating power transmitted through the first power transmission electrode and the second power transmission electrode.

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