Electronic pen

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to improve ease of use when a position indicating unit is provided on a tapping operation unit side in a tapping type electronic pen. The first position indicating part is arranged on one end side in the axial direction in a cylindrical pen shell, the second position indicating part is arranged on the other end side in the axial direction, and the knocking cam mechanism part is driven by a load applied from the other end side in the axial direction. The first position indicating part is arranged in a manner that the top end side can enter and exit from the opening of the pen shell through the knocking cam mechanism part. The second position indicating part is arranged in a state that the top end side is the other end side in the axial direction. And an elastic member for causing the distal end side of the first position indicating part to enter and exit from the first opening by using the knocking cam mechanism part when a pressure greater than a pressure applied to the distal end side during use of the second position indicating part is applied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic pen which is used together with a position detection device and has a mechanism for moving a pen tip in and out in a knocking manner. Background Art

[0002] Due to the recent trend towards miniaturization, there is a strong demand for further miniaturization of portable electronic devices. Furthermore, electronic pens are used together with position detection sensors mounted on such small electronic devices, and there is a demand for thinner electronic pens.

[0003] Moreover, recently, electronic pens are understood as an extension of stationery, and there is also a desire to modularize their internal structure so that they can be handled in the same way as refills (replacement refills, refills) of ballpoint pens. Hereinafter, in this specification, the structure in which the components of the position indication portion of the pen housing of the electronic pen are modularized and integrated and configured to be replaceable like refills of a ballpoint pen is referred to as an electronic pen refill.

[0004] The applicant has proposed a tapping-type electronic pen in which the electronic pen refill is configured to be handled in the same manner as a refill of a ballpoint pen and the shell of a tapping-type ballpoint pen used as a stationery item can be used as the pen shell of the electronic pen as is (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Gazette No. 5959038)).

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5959038 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] An electronic pen is also provided that has an electronic eraser function unit having the same structure as the position indicating unit for writing input, which is used for erasing information written and input on a position detection sensor using the position indicating unit of the electronic pen. In this case, the position indicating unit for writing input is arranged at one end side of the axial direction of the cylindrical pen housing, and the position indicating unit constituting the electronic eraser function unit is arranged at the other end side of the axial direction of the cylindrical pen housing.

[0010] In the case of the above-mentioned tapping type electronic pen, it is considered that the position indicating portion constituting the electronic eraser function portion is provided on the side where the tapping operation is performed.

[0011] However, when the position indicating portion for writing input is protruded from one opening of the housing by pressing the knocking operation portion of the knocking cam mechanism portion, the pressing pressure (load) is not set to a large load in order to make the knocking operation easier. Therefore, when the knocking operation portion side is brought into contact with the input surface of the position detection sensor in order to make the position indicating portion constituting the electronic eraser function portion to operate and pressure is applied, the knocking mechanism may operate, resulting in a problem of poor usability of the electronic eraser function portion.

[0012] It should be noted that the same problem occurs even when a position indicating portion for writing input is provided on the tapping portion side instead of the position indicating portion constituting the electronic eraser function portion.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a position indicator that can solve the above problems.

[0014] Means for solving problems

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an electronic pen is provided, characterized in that it comprises:

[0016] A cylindrical pen housing;

[0017] A first position indicating portion, disposed at one end side of the axial direction of the pen housing;

[0018] A second position indicating portion is disposed at the other end side of the axial direction in the pen housing; and

[0019] The knocking cam mechanism is driven by a load in the axial direction applied from the other end side in the axial direction.

[0020] The first position indicating portion is arranged so that the tip end side for position indication can be inserted and removed from the opening on the one end side in the axial direction of the pen housing by the knock cam mechanism.

[0021] The second position indicating portion is arranged in a state where the tip side for indicating the position is the other end side in the axial direction.

[0022] The electronic pen includes an elastic member for causing the top end side of the first position indicating portion to move in and out of the opening using the knocking cam mechanism when a pressure greater than the pressure applied to the top end side of the second position indicating portion when the second position indicating portion is in use is applied from the other end side in the axial direction.

[0023] In the electronic pen of the above-mentioned structure, the knocking cam mechanism is constructed to have an elastic component for using the knocking cam mechanism to make the top end side of the first position indicating part move in and out of the first opening of the pen case when a pressure greater than the pressure applied to the top end side of the second position indicating part for position indication when the second position indicating part is in use is applied from the other end side in the axial direction of the pen case.

[0024] Therefore, according to the electronic pen with the above structure, when the second position indicating portion is used, the top end side of the first position indicating portion can be moved in and out of the first opening without performing the action of the knocking cam mechanism portion, within the range of pressure applied to the top end side thereof, so the second position indicating portion is easy to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining an outline of a configuration example of an embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view for explaining a configuration example of a digital pen main body module constituting an embodiment of the digital pen according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the connection parts of the main components of the electronic pen main body module of the structural example.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a first position indicating unit and a second position indicating unit in an embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a diagram for explaining a main part of a first position indicating unit in an embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 These are diagrams for explaining the main parts of the first position indicating section and the main parts of the pen case in the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 The diagrams are for explaining the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 The diagrams are for explaining the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 9 The diagrams are for explaining the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0034] Fig.10The diagrams are for explaining the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0035] Fig.11 The diagrams are for explaining the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0036] Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining a state in which the pen tip side of the first position indicating portion is accommodated in the pen case in the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0037] Fig.13 This is a diagram for explaining a state in which the pen tip side of the first position indicating portion is pushed out from the opening of the pen case in the electronic pen main body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0038] Fig.14 This is a diagram for explaining the movement of the pen tip side during a tapping operation of an example of a conventional tapping-type electronic pen.

[0039] Fig.15 These are diagrams for explaining the operation of the tapping cam mechanism and the operation of the pen tip during a tapping operation of the electronic pen body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0040] Fig.16 These are diagrams for explaining the operation of the tapping cam mechanism and the operation of the pen tip during a tapping operation of the electronic pen body module constituting the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention.

[0041] Fig.17 It is a diagram for explaining another example of the main part of the first position indicating section in the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Below, while referring to Figure 1 Embodiments of the electronic pen according to the present invention will be described below.

[0043] [Overview of the electronic pen according to the embodiment]

[0044] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the electronic pen 1 according to the embodiment. In the electronic pen 1 of this example, the first position indicating portion has a structure of a first electronic pen core for writing input, and the second position indicating portion has a structure of a second electronic pen core to which an electronic eraser function is assigned. In addition, in this embodiment, both the first position indicating portion and the second position indicating portion are electromagnetic induction type.

[0045] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, as described below, a first electronic pen refill for writing input as an example of a first position indicating portion and a second electronic pen refill to which an electronic eraser function is assigned as an example of a second position indicating portion are arranged in the axial direction within the hollow portion of the cylindrical pen case 2. In this case, the first electronic pen refill is arranged so that the tip side is one end side of the axial direction of the pen case 2 and the tip side of the second electronic pen refill is the other end side of the axial direction of the pen case 2.

[0046] It should be noted that, in the following description, for convenience, one end side of the axial direction of the pen housing 2 is referred to as the pen tip side, and the other end side is referred to as the rear end side. In addition, the first electronic pen refill for writing input as an example of the first position indicating portion is referred to as a writing input refill, and the second electronic pen refill assigned with an electronic eraser function as an example of the second position indicating portion is referred to as an erasing refill.

[0047] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the writing input pen core and the erasing pen core arranged in the axial direction are combined in the knocking cam mechanism part, and according to the knocking operation that drives the knocking cam mechanism part, the writing input pen core and the erasing pen core move in the axial direction, so that the top end side of the writing input pen core enters and exits from the opening 2a on the pen tip side of the pen case 2. It should be noted that the part Nk of the knocking cam mechanism part that receives the knocking operation (hereinafter referred to as the knocking operation part Nk) is in a state of protruding to the outside from the opening 2b on the rear end side of the pen case 2. The top end side of the erasing pen core is configured to be located in the case of the knocking operation part Nk.

[0048] Figure 1 (A) is a perspective view for explaining the appearance of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. The pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is made of resin, for example, and is composed of a pen tip side housing portion 21 and a rear end side housing portion 22 (see Figure 1 The (C)) is combined in the axial direction, the tip side housing portion 21 accommodates the tip side portion of the writing input refill, and the rear end side housing portion 22 accommodates the rear end side portion of the writing input refill, the erasing refill, and the knocking cam mechanism portion. Figure 1 In (A), the rear end side casing part 22 is made of a transparent material, and the inside thereof is shown to be visible.

[0049] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the main components of the electronic pen including the writing input refill, the erasing refill, and the tap cam mechanism are assembled into one modular component. Figure 1 (B) shows the modular component 3 in this embodiment, which is configured to include a pen tip side housing portion 21. Hereinafter, the modular component 3 is referred to as an electronic pen main body module 3.

[0050] The pen tip side housing part 21 is a cylindrical body structure, and one side of the axial direction thereof is a tapered part 2Aa which is gradually tapered, and the other side of the axial direction thereof is provided with a cylindrical part 21b having an outer diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear end side housing part 22. The opening on the tapered top end side of the tapered part 2Aa is an opening 2a of the pen housing 2 that allows the top end side of the writing input pen core to protrude in a manner that allows the writing input pen core to enter and exit.

[0051] In this embodiment, the electronic pen main body module 3 is formed by connecting the electronic pen main body structure 4 formed by integrally connecting the writing input refill, the erasing refill and the tapping cam mechanism to the cylindrical portion 21 b of the pen tip side housing 21 .

[0052] In this embodiment, the rear end side housing portion 22 is as follows Figure 1 As described above, the inner diameter of the cylindrical member shown in (C) of the side connected with the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21 is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter Ra of the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21. In addition, the inner diameter Rb of the rear end side of the rear end side housing portion 22 is larger than the diameter Ra.

[0053] And, if Figure 1 As shown in (B) and (C) of FIG. 1 , the electronic pen main body module 3 is inserted into the hollow portion of the rear end side housing portion 22 from the electronic pen main body structure portion 4 and pressed into the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21, thereby combining the top end side housing portion 21 and the rear end side housing portion 22 of the electronic pen main body module 3. Thus, the electronic pen main body module 3 is formed. Figure 1 The electronic pen 1 shown in (A) is shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in (A), the knocking operation part Nk at the rear end of the electronic pen body module 3 protrudes to the outside from the rear opening 2b of the pen case 2, that is, the rear opening of the rear case part 22.

[0054] In this embodiment, annular grooves 21c and 21d are formed in the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and annular protrusions 22a and 22b are formed on the inner wall of the rear end side housing portion 22 at positions corresponding to the grooves 21c and 21d. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the electronic pen main body module 3 is inserted into the hollow portion of the rear end side housing portion 22 and connected, the annular grooves 21c and 21d and the annular protrusions 22a and 22b are engaged, and the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the rear end side housing portion 22 are locked in a connected state. However, by pulling the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the rear end side housing portion 22 in a direction away from each other, the electronic pen main body module 3 and the rear end side housing portion 22 can be separated.

[0055] It should be noted that Figure 1 The outer shape of the rear-end housing portion 22 shown in (C) is an example. As long as it can be pressed into the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the electronic pen main body module 3 and connected, the outer shape of the rear-end housing portion 22 can be any shape, and can be set to various shapes such as a shape that is easy for the user to hold. In other words, as long as the rear-end housing portion 22 is a structure that can accommodate the electronic pen main body structure portion 4 of the electronic pen main body module 3 and is connected to the pen tip side housing portion 21, it can be configured as a makeup box in any shape.

[0056] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the combination of the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the rear end side housing portion 22 is configured as a pressed-in and locking structure realized by an annular groove and a convex portion, but is not limited to this. For example, a threaded portion may be formed on the outer periphery of the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the inner wall surface of the rear end side housing portion 22 to enable the two to be screwed together.

[0057] [Configuration Example of Digital Pen Main Body Module 3]

[0058] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electronic pen main body module 3 , showing the pen tip side case 21 and the electronic pen main body structure 4 separated and illustrated, and also showing the component groups constituting the electronic pen main body structure 4 exploded and illustrated.

[0059] If the Figure 2 As shown, the electronic pen main body structure 4 is composed of a writing input refill 5, an erasing refill 6, a knocking cam mechanism, and a component group for combining the writing input refill 5 and the erasing refill in the axial direction and moving them in an integrated manner in the axial direction according to the knocking operation. The knocking cam mechanism is composed of a cam body, a rotating body, a knocking rod, and an elastic recovery member. The elastic recovery member is used to restore the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 from a state of protruding to the outside from the opening 2a on the pen tip side of the pen housing 2 (sometimes referred to as the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing 21 in the following description) to a state of being accommodated in the inside of the pen housing 2.

[0060] This component group is composed of a knocking housing portion 41 constituting an example of a cam body portion, a rear end side shaft portion 42 constituting an example of a knocking rod portion, a front shaft portion 43 constituting an example of a rotating body portion, a rear end cover member 44 whose rear end portion serves as a knocking operation portion Nk, a gear portion 45, a gear holder portion 46 for holding the gear portion 45, a coil spring 47 constituting an elastic restoring member, and a spacer 48. In this example, all the components of this component group except the coil spring 47 are made of resin.

[0061] The knocking housing portion 41 has a tubular shape (a cylindrical shape in this example), and is provided with a large diameter portion 41a having an outer diameter equal to the above-mentioned diameter Ra and a small diameter portion 41b having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the gear support portion 46. The small diameter portion 41b is provided with a plurality of groove portions 41c and a locking portion 41f constituting a cam piece that engage with a plurality of fin portions 43a constituting a cam piece of the front shaft portion 43 constituting the example of the rotating body portion. As described later, the groove portion 41c engages with the fin portion 43a when the knocking operation is not performed and the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is accommodated in the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the locking portion 41f engages with the fin portion 43a when the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is locked in a state where the pen tip side is protruding from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21.

[0062] The rear end side shaft portion 42 is a cylindrical member (in this example, a cylindrical member) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical knocking shell portion 41, and is configured to be inserted from the rear end side into the hollow portion of the knocking shell portion 41. In this case, a convex strip 42a in the axial direction is provided at a predetermined angle position in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral side surface of the rear end side shaft portion 42, and the convex strip 42a and the groove formed on the inner wall surface of the hollow portion of the knocking shell portion 41 (at the bottom of the convex strip 42a) are formed. Figure 2 The rear end side shaft portion 42 is engaged with the knocking shell portion 41 (not shown in the figure), and is configured to be non-rotatable relative to the knocking shell portion 41.

[0063] An annular convex portion 42b is formed on the rear end of the rear end shaft portion 42. The outer diameter of the annular convex portion 42b is a diameter Ra, and the rear end shaft portion 42 is configured to be inserted into the knocker housing portion 41 to the position of the annular convex portion 42b.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the rear end shaft portion 42 is configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the erasing refill 6, so that the portion of the erasing refill 6 on the opposite side to the tip side can be accommodated in the hollow portion of the rear end shaft portion 42. However, the end side of the pen tip side of the hollow portion of the rear end shaft portion 42 has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the erasing refill 6, so that the erasing refill 6 does not move from the rear end shaft portion 42 to the pen tip side and remains in the rear end shaft portion 43.

[0065] In this example, the length of the rear end shaft portion 42 in the axial direction is the length by which the pen tip side of the erasing refill 6 protrudes from the rear end shaft portion 42 toward the rear end when the erasing refill 6 is accommodated in the hollow portion thereof.

[0066] The rear end cap member 44 is formed by closing the rear end of a cylindrical portion whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rear end side shaft portion 42 and whose outer diameter is selected to be equal to the diameter Ra. The rear end side of the rear end cap member 44 is a knocking operation portion Nk. The rear end side shaft portion 42 has a portion protruding further toward the rear end side from the position of the above-mentioned annular convex portion 42b, and by covering the protruding portion with the rear end cap member 44, the tip of the erasing refill 6 is covered by the rear end cap member 44.

[0067] In this case, the rear end side shaft portion 42 has an engaging protrusion 42c that protrudes further toward the rear end side from the position of the annular protrusion 42b, and a through window 44a for the engaging protrusion 42c to fit is provided in the rear end cover member 44. When the rear end cover member 44 is coupled to the rear end side of the rear end side shaft portion 42, the engaging protrusion 42c fits into the through window 44a, and the rear end cover member 44 does not easily come off. However, the configuration is such that if the rear end cover member 44 is pulled toward the rear end side with force, the rear end cover member 44 can be removed from the rear end side shaft portion 42.

[0068] The front shaft portion 43 constituting the example of the rotating body portion is arranged in a state where the side having a plurality of fin portions (protrusions) 43a is formed becomes the side of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41. The front shaft portion 43 has a cylindrical shape in which the plurality of fin portions 43a are engaged with the groove portion 41c of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41 and become one with the small diameter portion 41b. The fin portion 43a is provided on the knocking shell portion 41 side of the front shaft portion 43.

[0069] The outer diameter of the front shaft portion 43 is smaller than the inner diameter of the gear holder portion 46, and the front shaft portion 43 can move in the axial direction within the gear holder portion 46. A sawtooth-shaped gear portion 43b is formed on the pen tip side of the front shaft portion 43 for rotating the front shaft portion 43 by a predetermined angle by meshing with a gear portion 45 to be described later and held and disposed in the gear holder portion 46.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front shaft portion 43 is coupled to the rear end shaft portion 42 inserted into the knocking shell portion 41 in a state where it can rotate with the axial direction as the rotation axis. For this coupling, a coupling protrusion 430 for coupling with the rear end shaft portion 42 is formed at the top end of the knocking shell portion 41b of the small diameter portion 41b of the front shaft portion 43 on the knocking shell portion 41 side. On the other hand, a fitting portion 420 is formed on the pen tip side of the rear end shaft portion 42 to which the coupling protrusion 430 of the front shaft portion 43 can be coupled in a rotatable state.

[0071] Figure 3 4 is an enlarged view for explaining the connection portion between the rear end side shaft portion 42 and the front shaft portion 43. Figure 3 (A) is an enlarged stereoscopic view of the front shaft portion 43. Figure 3(B) is a longitudinal sectional view of an enlarged perspective view of the rear end side shaft portion 42, Figure 3 (C) is a longitudinal sectional view of a state where the rear end side shaft portion 42 and the front shaft portion 43 are connected.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown in (A), the coupling protrusion 430 formed at the top end of the small diameter portion 41b of the front shaft portion 43 is composed of two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 formed by separating a cylindrical member by a gap 433 including the center line position. The front shaft portion 43 is made of an elastic resin, and the two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 can be elastically displaced toward the gap 433 side. Figure 3 As shown in (A), conical bulges 431a and 432a are formed on the opposite side of the two protrusions 431 and 432 from the slit 433. The conical bulges 431a and 432a are formed so that the diameter gradually increases from the top end side to the middle of the length of the axial direction of the coupling protrusion 430, and the engaging step portions 431t and 431t are provided at the middle position of the length of the axial direction of the coupling protrusion 430.

[0073] On the other hand, the rear end side shaft portion 42 is provided with a fitting portion 420 composed of a small diameter hole portion 421 with a smaller diameter into which the coupling protrusion 430 is inserted and a large diameter hole portion 422 with a larger diameter than the small diameter hole portion 421. A step portion 423 is formed between the small diameter hole portion 421 and the large diameter hole portion 422 into which the protrusion pieces 431 and 432 of the coupling protrusion 430 engage.

[0074] The protrusion 430 of the front shaft portion 43 is inserted into the fitting portion 420 of the rear end shaft portion 42. Figure 3 As shown in (C), the front shaft portion 43 is combined with the rear end shaft portion 42. That is, when the top end of the combination protrusion 430 of the front shaft portion 43 is inserted into the small diameter hole portion 421 of the fitting portion 420 of the rear end shaft portion 42, the two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 constituting the combination protrusion 430 are displaced toward the slit 433 in a direction intersecting the axial direction, so that the combination protrusion 430 is inserted into the small diameter hole portion 421 of the fitting portion 420.

[0075] When the coupling protrusion 430 is pressed in and the conical bulges 431a and 432a of the two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 are located in the space of the large diameter hole 422 of the fitting portion 420 of the rear end side shaft portion 42, the two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 elastically return to their original state. Figure 3As shown in (C), the engaging step portions 431t and 432t of the conical bulge portions 431a and 432a of the two protrusion pieces 431 and 432 of the connecting protrusion portion 430 are in a state of being engaged with the step portion 423 of the fitting portion 420 of the rear end side shaft portion 42, and the front shaft portion 43 and the rear end side shaft portion 42 maintain a connected state.

[0076] At this time, when the front shaft portion 43 and the rear end side shaft portion 42 are combined, the front shaft portion 43 is constructed so that the movement in the rotation direction with the axial direction as the rotation center is not restricted, so the front shaft portion 43 can rotate relative to the rear end side shaft portion 42 with the axial direction as the rotation center.

[0077] It should be noted that in Figure 3 In (C), as described later, the recessed portion 43 c provided in the front shaft portion 43 is a fitting recessed portion for fitting the spacer 48 coupled to the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 into the front shaft portion 43 .

[0078] If you return Figure 2 Referring to the description of the components of the gear portion 45, the gear portion 45 is used to rotate the front shaft portion 43 by a predetermined angle by engaging with the front shaft portion 43, and in this example, constitutes a part of the rotating body portion.

[0079] The gear holder portion 46 is composed of a cylindrical body including a large diameter portion 46 a and a small diameter portion 46 b , and the gear holder portion 46 is configured to fix and hold the gear portion 45 at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the hollow portion thereof.

[0080] The gear portion 45 is fixed and held in a position slightly closer to the pen tip side in the axial direction in the large diameter portion 46a of the gear holder portion 46. The position of the gear portion 45 in the axial direction in the gear holder portion 46 is selected so that the top end side of the writing input refill 5 can be accommodated in the pen tip side housing portion 21 when not being struck and can protrude from the opening 2a at the top end of the pen tip side housing portion 21 during a striking operation.

[0081] The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 46a of the gear holder 46 is equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking housing portion 41, as described above, from the rear end side of the position where the gear portion 45 is held. In addition, the pen tip side of the large diameter portion 46a from the position where the gear portion 45 is held is smaller than the diameter of the rear end side and is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 46b. In this way, the inner diameter changes in the hollow portion of the large diameter portion 46a of the gear holder 46, and the gear portion 45 is held at the position of the step portion formed by the change in the inner diameter. Therefore, the gear portion 45 is arranged in the gear holder 46 in a state where it cannot move toward the pen tip side in the axial direction.

[0082] The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 46b of the gear holder portion 46 is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21b of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the inner diameter is configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 so that the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 can be inserted. Furthermore, the gear portion 45 has an annular shape, and the writing input refill 5 is configured to be able to be inserted through the gear portion 45.

[0083] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the writing input refill 5 is arranged such that its rear end side is accommodated in the large diameter portion 46a and the small diameter portion 46b of the gear holder portion 46 and its top end side protrudes from the small diameter portion 46b toward the pen tip side housing portion 21. Furthermore, as described later, the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 is configured to be fitted in the spacer 48 via the coil spring 47. The spacer 48 is configured to be locked by being fitted in the recessed portion 43c of the front shaft portion 43, so that the writing input refill 5 with the spacer 48 fitted in the rear end portion is locked relative to the front shaft portion 43 via the spacer 48 by fitting the spacer 48 in the recessed portion 43c of the front shaft portion 43.

[0084] In this embodiment, as described above, the outer diameter of the front shaft portion 43 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 46a of the gear bracket portion 46, so the front shaft portion 43 is movably accommodated in the large diameter portion 46a of the gear bracket portion 46. In addition, the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41 is selected to be equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 46a of the gear bracket portion 46, and the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41 is inserted into the large diameter portion 46a of the gear bracket portion 46, so that the gear bracket portion 46 and the knocking shell portion 41 are combined and locked.

[0085] In this case, in this embodiment, annular protrusions 41d and 41e that engage with an annular groove on the inner wall of the large diameter portion 46a of the gear bracket portion 46 are formed near the connecting portion between the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41 and the large diameter portion 41a, thereby constituting the gear bracket portion 46 and the knocking shell portion 41 to be connected and the connected state is locked.

[0086] As described above, the gear holder 46 and the knocking shell 41 are combined to form the shell (casing) portion of the electronic pen main structure 4 in this embodiment. And, as described above, the electronic pen main structure 4 is formed by accommodating the erasing refill 6 in the rear end side shaft 42 combined with the front shaft 43 and attaching the rear end cover member 44 to the rear end side shaft 42.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by pressing the small diameter portion 46b of the gear bracket portion 46 of the electronic pen main body structure portion 4 constructed as described above into the pen tip side housing portion 21, the electronic pen main body structure portion 4 is combined with the pen tip side housing portion 21 to form the above-mentioned electronic pen main body module 3.

[0088] [Structural Example of Writing Input Refill 5 and Erasing Refill 6]

[0089] Figure 4 (A) is a diagram showing a structural example of a writing input refill 5 of the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the elastic displacement portion 54 provided on the rear end side of the writing input refill 5, and, Figure 4 (C) is a diagram showing a structural example of the erasable writing core 6.

[0090] <Structural Example of Writing Input Refill 5>

[0091] like Figure 4 As shown in (A), the writing input refill 5 in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is composed of a refill body 51, a signal transmitting member 52, a refill case 53, and an elastic displacement portion 54 provided at the rear end side of the refill case 53 in this example. The refill case 53 is composed of a bracket portion 531 that holds a writing pressure detection portion 55 and a circuit substrate 56 equipped with an electronic circuit, and a protective cover portion 532 that has the function of accommodating and protecting the writing pressure detection portion 55 and the circuit substrate 56 held by the bracket portion 531.

[0092] The core 51 is made of a relatively hard and elastic resin material, such as POM (Polyoxymethylene) in this example, and has a tip portion 51 a having a larger diameter than the axis portion formed on the pen tip side of the rod-shaped axis portion.

[0093] The signal transmitting member 52 is composed of a coil 521 constituting a resonant circuit for transmitting and receiving signals with the position detecting device by electromagnetic induction, and a magnetic core (a ferrite core 522 in this example) wound with the coil 521. The ferrite core 522 has a through hole 522a formed in the axial direction.

[0094] The diameter of the through hole 522a of the ferrite core 522 is larger than the diameter of the axial portion of the core body 51, and the axial portion of the core body 51 is inserted through the through hole 522a and is fitted into the writing pressure detection unit 55. In this case, the top end 51a of the core body 51 protrudes from the ferrite core 522 as a pen tip, and the end 51b on the rear end side of the axial portion of the core body 51 is fitted into the writing pressure detection unit 55. Thus, the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the top end 51a of the core body 51 is applied to the writing pressure detection unit 55. The core body 51 can be attached to and detached from the writing pressure detection unit 55.

[0095] The pen pressure detection unit 55 is composed of, for example, a pen pressure detection unit that uses a mechanism that changes the static capacitance of a variable capacitor according to the applied pressure (pen pressure) (for example, refer to patent document (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-186803)). It should be noted that the pen pressure detection unit 55 can also use a pen pressure detection unit that uses a semiconductor chip composed of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) elements to form a variable capacitor (for example, refer to patent document (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-161307)). It should be noted that the structure of the pen pressure detection unit 55 is not limited to the pen pressure detection unit of this example.

[0096] The circuit board 56 carries electronic components such as capacitors that form a resonance circuit together with the coil 521 , and in this example, a conductor pattern of the writing pressure detection unit 55 having a structure for connecting a variable capacitance capacitor to the resonance circuit is formed.

[0097] The bracket portion 531 of the refill case 53 is made of, for example, a resin material, and includes a tubular portion (not shown) that engages with the ferrite core 522 of the signal sending component 52 and holds the pen pressure detection portion 55, and a circuit substrate mounting platform portion (not shown) that mounts and holds the circuit substrate 56.

[0098] The protective cover portion 532 of the pen core housing 53 is composed of a tubular component made of a hard material (a tubular component made of metal in this example), and constitutes a circuit portion protection component that protects the pen pressure detection portion 55 held by the bracket portion 531 and the circuit structure portion of the circuit substrate 56.

[0099] That is, the refill case 53 is formed by combining the bracket part 531 and the protective cover part 532 in the axial direction in a state where a part of the cylindrical part of the bracket part 531 holding the writing pressure detection part 55 and the circuit board mounting platform part are accommodated in the hollow part of the protective cover part 532. Figure 4 As shown in (A), the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the bracket portion 531 and the diameter of the tubular member constituting the protective cover portion 532 are equal to the diameter R0.

[0100] like Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), in this example, the elastic displacement portion 54 is loosely fitted in a retractable state in a rod-shaped member 541, for example, made of resin, which is thinner than the inner diameter of the protective cover portion 532 of the pen core case 53. In this example, one end portion 541a of the rod-shaped member 541 in the axial direction is inserted and engaged with the opening on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532 of the pen core case 53 and is arranged in the opening.

[0101] One end 541a of the rod-shaped member 541 in the axial direction has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the protective cover portion 532 and slightly larger than the middle portion 541m in which the coil spring 542 is loosely fitted. In addition, the other end 541b of the rod-shaped member 541 in the axial direction has a diameter that is larger than the middle portion 541m. A fitting protrusion 543 for fitting the writing input refill 5 into the recessed portion 43c of the front shaft portion 43 is formed at the center of the circular end surface of the other end 541b.

[0102] Furthermore, an annular member 544 is provided on the side of one end 541a of the middle portion 541m of the rod-shaped member 541. The annular member 544 has a portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532 and a flange portion 544a having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter R0 of the protective cover portion 532, and the inner diameter is configured to be smaller than the outer diameter of the one end 541a of the rod-shaped member 541 and larger than the middle portion 541m.

[0103] The diameter of the coil spring 542 is selected to be larger than the diameter of the middle portion 541m of the rod-shaped member 541 and smaller than the diameter R0 of the protective cover portion 532 and the other end portion 541b of the rod-shaped member 541. Therefore, the coil spring 542 is held at the middle portion 541m between the annular member 544 pressed into the opening on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532 of the writing core case 53 and the other end portion 541b of the rod-shaped member 541. In this held state, the coil spring 542 is in a state of elastically exerting force so that the annular member 544 side on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532 of the writing core case 53 and the other end portion 541b side of the rod-shaped member 541 are separated from each other by its elastic displacement force.

[0104] The elastic displaceable portion 54 having the above-described structure is installed on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532 by inserting one end portion 541a thereof into the protective cover portion 532 from the opening on the rear end side of the protective cover portion 532. Thus, the elastic displaceable portion 54 is installed in a state where the middle portion 541m and the other end portion 541b of the rod-shaped member 541 in which the coil spring 542 is loosely fitted are exposed to the outside of the protective cover portion 532.

[0105] The outer diameter of one end portion 541a of the rod-shaped member 541 is smaller than the inner diameter of the protective cover portion 532, and the middle portion 541m of the rod-shaped member 541 can move in the axial direction relative to the ring-shaped member 544 fixed to the protective cover portion 532 against the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542. Thus, the one end portion 541a side of the rod-shaped member 541 of the elastic displacement portion 54 is in a state where it can move toward the pen tip side in the hollow portion of the protective cover portion 532 against the elastic force of the coil spring 542.

[0106] In this embodiment, as described above, the elastic displacement portion 54 is attached to the rear end side of the lead case 53 to form a Figure 4 The writing input pen core 5 shown in (A). When a load greater than a specified value is applied to the writing input pen core 5 so that its axial length will shrink against the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54, the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 shrinks elastically, and the end portion 541a of the rod-shaped member 541 moves toward the pen tip in the protective cover portion 532, thereby shrinking the axial length of the writing input pen core 5. When such a load disappears, the coil spring 542 elastically recovers in an extended manner, and the axial length of the writing input pen core 5 returns to its original value. Figure 4 The state of (A).

[0107] In this case, the elastic characteristics of the coil spring 542 are insensitive to the load within the range of the writing pressure applied to the top end 51a of the core body 51 when the electronic pen 1 is used. That is, the elastic characteristics of the coil spring 542 are insensitive to the load within the range of the writing pressure value detected by the writing pressure detection unit 55. In addition, the coil spring 542 has the following elastic characteristics: when a load based on the tapping operation of the user is applied that is larger than the load within the range of the writing pressure applied to the top end 51a of the core body 51 when the electronic pen 1 is used, and when an impact load larger than the load within the range of the writing pressure is applied to the electronic pen 1, the coil spring 542 expands and contracts as described above. The expansion and contraction with respect to the latter impact load means that the elastic displacement unit 54 plays the role of a so-called impact absorber with respect to the writing input refill 5.

[0108] It should be noted that, as is apparent from the above-described structure, the elastic deformable portion 54 is detachable from the protective cover portion 532 of the writing input refill 5 .

[0109] It should be noted that the elastic characteristics of the coil spring 47 serving as the elastic recovery component in the above-mentioned knocking cam mechanism are the same as the elastic characteristics of the coil spring used in a general knocking ballpoint pen, etc., and the elastic force is smaller than that of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement part 54.

[0110] Furthermore, in the writing input pen core 5 of this embodiment, as Figure 4 (A) and Figure 5As shown in the figure, a protruding portion 57 extending from the outer peripheral side of the core case 53 in a direction intersecting the axial direction (in this example, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction) is provided at a predetermined position between one end side of the core case 53 in the axial direction and the other end side of the axial direction. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 57 is provided on the holder part 531 on the pen tip side of the core case 53. In this example, the protruding portion 57 is configured as a flange-shaped portion protruding from the outer peripheral side of the holder part 531 to a predetermined thickness. The protruding portion 57 may be configured integrally with the outer shell of the holder part 531, or may be configured separately from the holder part 531.

[0111] In this case, the extension portion 57 may also be formed to extend (protrude) along the entire periphery of the outer periphery of the bracket portion 531 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the extension portion 57 is shaped to extend from positions 180 degrees apart in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction with a width of the diameter of the bracket portion 531. The top end portion of the extension portion 57 in the axial direction has an arc shape so as to be along the shape of the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2.

[0112] By constructing it into such a shape, the contact portion between the top end portion of the extension portion 57 in the axial direction and the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2 can be minimized, thereby making it easy for the writing input pen core 5 to move in the axial direction inside the pen housing 2 when a tapping operation or an impact load is received.

[0113] In addition, since the extension portion 57 is formed in the shape as described above, a space is formed between the extension portion 57 and the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 on the side of the extension portion 57 in the direction intersecting the extension direction. In this example, a protrusion and a locking piece are provided in the space at the position of the extension portion 57 to prevent the rotation of the writing input refill 5 in the pen housing 2 about the axial direction. Moreover, the end portion (lead portion) of the coil 521 is guided to the bracket portion 531 side through the space without contacting the inner wall of the pen tip side housing portion 21. It should be noted that a groove may be provided in the extension portion 57 to guide the end portion of the coil 521 to the bracket portion 531 side in a manner that does not protrude outward from the groove portion.

[0114] Figure 6 (A) is a cross-sectional view of the pen tip side of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2, Figure 6 (B) is a diagram showing the pen tip side of the writing input pen core 5. In this embodiment, as Figure 6As shown in (A), on the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21, a stepped portion 21s is formed as a stopper for engaging with the protruding portion 57 of the refill housing 53 provided on the writing input refill 5 to prevent further movement of the writing input refill 5 toward the tip side of the tip-side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2.

[0115] In the electronic pen 1, the length in the axial direction (prescribed protruding length Lp) at which the tip side of the writing input refill 5 should protrude from the opening (tip-side opening of the tip-side housing portion 21) 2a of the pen housing 2 on the input surface of the position detection sensor is determined in advance in consideration of the ease of use of the user's input operation and the like.

[0116] In this embodiment, with respect to the protruding portion 57 provided on the refill housing 53 of the writing input refill 5 and the stepped portion 21s formed on the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2, the axial position is determined so that the two engage when the protruding length of the tip side of the writing input refill 5 from the opening 2a of the pen housing 2 becomes the above-mentioned prescribed protruding length Lp.

[0117] Refer to Figure 6 To further illustrate the relationship between the formation position of the protruding portion 57 provided on the refill housing 53 of the writing input refill 5 and the formation position of the stepped portion 21s formed on the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21 in this embodiment.

[0118] In the writing input refill 5, as Figure 6 shown in (B), a signal transmission member 52 composed of a ferrite core 522 wound with a coil 521 is attached to the tip-side support portion 531 of the refill housing 53 having an outer diameter of R0, and the core body 51 is inserted through the through-hole 522a of the ferrite core 522 and fitted into the pen pressure detection portion 55 provided in the support portion 531 (omitted from the illustration in Figure 6 ).

[0119] In this example, as Figure 6 shown in (B), the outer diameter R1 of the ferrite core 522 is smaller than the outer diameter R0 of the refill housing 53. And the outer diameter R2 of the portion of the ferrite core 522 wound with the coil 521 is equal to or less than the outer diameter R0 of the refill housing 53. That is, it is configured to have the relationship of R1 < R2 ≤ R0.

[0120] As Figure 6 shown in (A), the diameter R3 of the tip-side opening 2a of the tip-side housing portion 21 is slightly larger than the outer diameter R1 of the ferrite core 522 of the writing input refill 5. In the use of the electronic pen 1, in this example, it is configured that not only the core body 51 but also a part of the ferrite core 522 is exposed to the outside from the opening 2a.

[0121] And, if Figure 6 As shown in (B), in the axial direction, the length from the tip of the tip portion 51a of the core body 51 to a portion of the pen tip side of the ferrite core 522 is specified as the aforementioned specified protruding length Lp. Figure 6 As shown in (B), the length from the tip of the tip portion 51a of the core body 51 to the end surface of the extension portion 57 of the holder portion 531 of the core case 53 of the writing input core 5 on the pen tip side in the axial direction is Lz.

[0122] On the other hand, Figure 6 As shown in (A), the inner diameter R4 of the hollow portion of the pen tip portion connected to the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 is slightly larger than the outer diameter R0 of the writing input refill 5. In the hollow portion of the inner diameter R4, the coil 521 wound around the ferrite core 522 constituting the signal transmitting member 52 is configured so as not to contact the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21. In this example, Figure 6 As shown in (A), in the hollow part 21e of the pen tip side housing part 21, the part from the inner diameter R4 to the opening 2a of the diameter R3 has a tapered shape with a gradually decreasing diameter. Therefore, if the coil 521 of the writing input pen core 5 is located in the tapered part, the coil 521 may contact the inner wall surface of the tapered part.

[0123] Therefore, in this example, if Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), in the axial direction, the length from the position at a predetermined protrusion length Lp from the top end of the core body 51 of the writing input pen core 5 on the rear end side to the end of the pen tip side of the winding portion of the coil 521 is equal to the length L2 from the top end of the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 through the tapered portion to the pen tip side end of the inner diameter R4.

[0124] And, if Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the inner diameter of the hollow portion 21e of the nib side housing portion 21 on the rear end side of the position which is at a distance equal to the length L1 (=Lz-Lp) from the top end of the opening 2a of the nib side housing portion 21 is set to a diameter R5 which is larger than the inner diameter R4 and the outer diameter R0. Thus, a step portion 21s is formed at a position which is at a distance equal to the length L1 (=Lz-Lp) from the top end of the opening 2a of the nib side housing portion 21.

[0125] Therefore, if Figure 6 As shown in (A), in the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the length of the portion of the pen tip side that becomes the diameter R4 becomes the length L3 (= L1-L2). And, in the state where the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 protrudes by a predetermined protruding length Lp, Figure 6As shown in (B) of , the coil 521 of the writing input pen core 5 is located in the portion of the length L3 of the diameter R4 of the hollow portion 21e of the tip-side housing portion 21. Therefore, the coil 521 does not contact the inner wall of the hollow portion 21e of the tip-side housing portion 21. Thus, an unnecessary load caused by contact does not act on the coil 521, and the signal transmission member 52 can be combined with the position detection sensor with a stable magnetic flux.

[0126] Moreover, the diameter of the arc portion at the tip in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 57 formed on the support portion 531 of the pen core housing 53 of the writing input pen core 5 is a diameter R6 that is larger than the inner diameter R4 of the hollow portion on the tip side of the tip-side housing portion 21 closer to the tip than the position of the stepped portion 21s and is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter R5 of the tip-side housing portion 21. That is, it is configured to have a relationship of R4 < R6 ≤ R5.

[0127] Since it is configured as described above, the writing input pen core 5 is prevented from moving toward the tip side in the hollow portion of the pen housing 2 by the protruding portion 57 of the writing input pen core 5 being engaged with the stepped portion 21s on the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21. And in this state, a part of the core body 51 and the ferrite core 522 on the tip side of the writing input pen core 5 can be in a state of protruding outward from the opening 2a of the tip-side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2 by a predetermined protruding length Lp.

[0128] Therefore, the electronic pen 1 always maintains a state of protruding outward from the opening 2a by a predetermined protruding length Lp on its tip side, and it is possible to prevent the coil 521, which is an example of a component that is not desired to contact the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21 on the tip side of the writing input pen core 5, from coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the diameter of the arc-shaped portion at the tip in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 57 provided on the writing input pen core 5 is a diameter R6 that is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter R5 of the tip-side housing portion 21, the displacement of the writing input pen core 5 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is also suppressed. Therefore, through this point as well, it is possible to prevent the coil 521, which is an example of a component that is not desired to contact the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21 on the tip side of the writing input pen core 5, from coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the tip-side housing portion 21.

[0130] Furthermore, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the protruding portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 is engaged with the step portion 21s of the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is constructed so that it will not protrude to the outside from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 by more than a prescribed protrusion length Lp. Therefore, protrusion more than the prescribed protrusion length Lp can be prevented even during a tapping operation. In this regard, it is also possible to avoid the coil 521, which is an example of a component that is not intended to contact the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 on the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5, from being in a state of contacting the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21.

[0131] <Structural Example of Erasing Refill 6>

[0132] exist Figure 4 (C) shows an example of the structure of the erasing refill 6 in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. The erasing refill 6 of this example has the same structure as that obtained by removing the elastically deformable portion 54 on the rear end side and the extending portion 57 from the above-mentioned writing input refill 5.

[0133] That is, regarding the erasing refill 6 in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, if the same components as the writing input refill 5 described above are given reference numerals in the 60s, the same components as those in the writing input refill 5 described above will be described as follows: Figure 4 As shown in (C), the erasing refill 6 is composed of a refill body 61, a signal transmitting member 62, and a refill housing 63. The refill housing 63 is composed of a holder portion 631 that holds a writing pressure detection portion 65 and a circuit substrate 66 equipped with an electronic circuit, and a protective cover portion 632 that has the function of accommodating and holding the writing pressure detection portion 65 and the circuit substrate 66 held by the holder portion 631.

[0134] The signal transmission member 62 is composed of a coil 621 constituting a resonant circuit for transmitting and receiving signals with a position detection device by electromagnetic induction, and a magnetic core (a ferrite core 622 in this example) wound with the coil 621. A through hole 622a is formed in the axial direction of the ferrite core 622. The core body 61 is inserted through the through hole 522a and is engaged with the pen pressure detection unit 55. In this case, the top end 51a of the core body 51 protrudes from the ferrite core 522 as a pen tip.

[0135] The configurations of the parts of the erasing refill 6 denoted by reference numerals in the 60s and above are the same as those described above with reference numerals in the 50s and above in the writing input refill 5 , and therefore their detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0136] [Assembly Procedure of Digital Pen Main Body Module 3 According to Embodiment]

[0137] The electronic pen main body module 3 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure can be assembled by assembling the above-mentioned components in sequence. Figure 7~Figure 11 Next, the assembly procedure of the electronic pen main body module 3 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0138] First, if Figure 7 As shown in (A), with the knocking shell 41 as the center, the shaft 42 is arranged on the rear end side of the knocking shell 41 in the axial direction, and the front shaft 43 is arranged on the pen tip side. Then, the rear end side shaft 42 is received into the knocking shell 41 through the opening 41g on the rear end side of the knocking shell 41, and as used Figure 3 As described above, the coupling protrusion 430 of the front shaft portion 43 is engaged with the engaging portion 420 of the rear end side shaft portion 42, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in (B), the assembly component 101AS constituting the main part of the knocking cam mechanism is assembled.

[0139] In this case, when the rear end shaft portion 42 is accommodated in the knocking shell portion 41, the groove 41h formed on the inner wall surface of the knocking shell portion 41 and exposed on the opening 41g side of the knocking shell portion 41 is aligned with the convex strip 42a of the rear end shaft portion 42, so that the convex strip 42a is accommodated in the groove 41h. By the engagement of the groove 41h of the knocking shell portion 41 and the convex strip 42a of the rear end shaft portion 42, the rear end shaft portion 42 is configured to be non-rotatable relative to the knocking shell portion 41.

[0140] In this Figure 7 In the assembly part 101AS of (B), the rear end side shaft portion 42 can move in the axial direction in the knocking shell portion 41 in a state of being combined with the front shaft portion 43. In this case, the axial length of the groove 41h of the knocking shell portion 41 is formed to be relatively long, and the rear end side shaft portion 42 is configured to move in the axial direction by at least the amount of the axial stroke during the knocking operation in a state where its convex strip 42a is engaged with the groove 41a.

[0141] Then, if Figure 8 As shown in (A), with the gear holder part 46 as the center, the writing input refill 5 is arranged on the pen tip side of the gear holder part 46 in the axial direction, and the coil spring 47 and the spacer 48 are arranged on the rear end side.

[0142] Then, if Figure 8 As shown in (B), the rear end side of the writing input pen core 5 is inserted into the hollow part of the gear holder part 46 and inserted through the annular gear part 45. Then, the coil spring 47 is wound around the rear end side inserted through the gear part 45, and the fitting protrusion 543 provided at the end of the elastic displacement part 54 is fitted into the fitting recess 48a of the spacer 48. Figure 8The partial cross-sectional view of (C) shows the fitting state of the fitting protrusion 543 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 and the spacer 48 .

[0143] It should be noted that if Figure 8 As shown in (A) to (C) of FIG. 1 , annular protrusions 46 c and 46 d are formed on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 46 b of the gear holder portion 46 to fit into the groove of the pen tip side housing portion 21 .

[0144] In this Figure 8 In the state, the coil spring 47 for elastic restoration of the knocking cam mechanism is arranged between the spacer 48 and the step 46e of the inner wall of the gear holder 46 where the gear portion 45 is provided, so as to cover the elastic displacement portion 54 and the rear end portion of the protective cover portion 532 of the writing input refill 5. Thus, the assembly part 102AS is formed in which the writing input refill 5 can move in the axial direction within the hollow portion of the gear holder 46 but does not fall off to the pen tip side due to the presence of the coil spring 47 and the spacer 48.

[0145] It should be noted that Figure 8 The scales of (A), (B), and (C) are slightly different for the sake of convenience. The same is true for the following figures.

[0146] Then, if Fig. 9 As shown in (A), Figure 8 The rear end side of the assembly component 102AS shown in (B) is Figure 7 The assembly components 101AS constituting the main parts of the knocking cam mechanism shown in (B) are arranged in the axial direction in a state where the gear portion 43b side of the front shaft portion 43 faces the gear holder portion 46 side.

[0147] Then, if Fig. 9 As shown in (B), the front shaft portion 43 of the assembly component 101AS and the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41 are inserted into the gear bracket portion 46, and the annular protrusions 41d and 41e of the small diameter portion 41b are engaged with the annular grooves 46f and 46g formed on the inner wall surface of the gear bracket portion 46, thereby maintaining the combined state of the two. In addition, the spacer 48 of the assembly component 102AS, which is engaged with the engaging protrusion 543 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input pen core 5, is inserted into the engaging recess 43c (refer to Fig. 9 (C)) is pressed in and fitted together to form assembly component 103AS.

[0148] exist Fig. 9The partial cross-sectional view of (C) shows the fitting state of the spacer 48 of the fitting protrusion 543 of the elastic displacement portion 54 coupled to the rear end portion of the writing input refill 5 in the assembly component 103AS, which is fitted into the fitting recess 43c of the small diameter portion 43b of the front shaft portion 43.

[0149] Then, if Fig.10 As shown in (A), the assembly part 101AS and the assembly part 102AS are combined to assemble Fig. 9 The pen tip side case portion 21 is arranged on the pen tip side of the assembly component 103AS shown in (B).

[0150] Then, if Fig.10 As shown in (B), the pen tip side of the assembly component 103AS is inserted into the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the small diameter portion 46b of the gear holder portion 46 is inserted. Then, the annular protrusions 46c and 46d of the small diameter portion 46b of the gear holder portion 46 are engaged with the annular groove (not shown) formed on the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21, thereby maintaining the combined state of the two, forming Fig.10 The locking state achieved by the annular protrusions 46c and 46d and the annular groove can be released by pulling the pen tip side housing portion 21 in a direction away from the assembly member 104AS in the axial direction.

[0151] Then, if Fig.11 As shown in (A), Fig.10 The erasing refill 6 and the rear end cover member 44 are arranged side by side on the rear end side of the assembly part 104AS shown in (B).

[0152] Then, the side of the erasing refill 6 opposite to the nib side is inserted into the rear end shaft portion 42 of the assembly member 104AS. Then, the rear end cover member 44 is covered so as to cover the nib side of the erasing refill 6, and the engaging protrusion 42c of the rear end shaft portion 42 is fitted into the through window 44a of the rear end cover member 44, so that the rear end cover member 44 is connected to the rear end shaft portion 42. Fig.11 As shown in (B), the electronic pen main body module 3 of this embodiment is constructed.

[0153] Then, if Figure 1As shown in the figure, the rear end side housing part 22 is combined with the pen tip side housing part 21 in a state where the rear end side of the electronic pen main body module 3 is housed, thereby forming the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. This combined state is maintained by the engagement protrusions 22a and 22b of the inner wall of the rear end side housing part 22 being engaged with the annular grooves 21c and 21d of the pen tip side housing part 21. The combined state of the pen tip side housing part 21 and the rear end side housing part 22 can be separated by pulling the two apart to release the engagement of the annular grooves 21c and 21d of the pen tip side housing part 21 and the engagement protrusions 22a and 22b of the inner wall of the rear end side housing part 22.

[0154] The rear end cover member 44 can be separated from the assembly component 104AS by pulling in the axial direction while releasing the engagement between the through window portion 44 a of the rear end cover member 44 and the engaging protrusion 42 c of the rear end side shaft portion 42 .

[0155] As described above, the electronic pen 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment can be manufactured by assembling the components constituting the electronic pen 1 in sequence in the axial direction. Furthermore, since no adhesive is used, it can be disassembled in the reverse order of the above-mentioned order. Therefore, not limited to the writing input refill 5 and the erasing refill 6, in the case where a part of the components is damaged or deteriorated over time, the electronic pen 1 can be repaired by replacing only the component. That is, even if a part of the components fails, it is not necessary to replace the entire electronic pen 1, which is more economical.

[0156] [Usage of the electronic pen 1 according to the embodiment and operation during tapping]

[0157] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, similar to a knock-type ballpoint pen or the like as a writing instrument, when writing input is performed using the writing input refill 5, the knock operation portion Nk of the rear end portion of the rear end cover member 44 is pressed down (knocking operation), so that the pen tip of the writing input refill 5 protrudes from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen case 2. And, by further performing the knocking operation from the state in which the pen tip of the writing input refill 5 protrudes from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen case 2, the pen tip of the writing input refill 5 is restored to the original state in which it is housed in the pen tip side housing portion 21 and protected.

[0158] However, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the action during the tapping operation is different from that of a tapping ballpoint pen or the like of a writing instrument. For the tapping operation, not only the coil spring 47 serving as a restoring elastic member but also the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 is effective, and the extension portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 and the step portion 21s in the pen tip side shell portion 21 are also involved.

[0159] Note that, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the tapping operation can be performed in the electronic pen body module 3 in a state where the rear end housing portion 22 is not attached, and therefore, the following description will be described as an operation related to the electronic pen body module 3 .

[0160] Fig.12 (A) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is accommodated in the pen tip side housing portion 21 in the electronic pen main body module 3 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. Fig.12 (B) shows a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

[0161] like Fig.12 As shown in (B), the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is housed in the pen tip side housing portion 21. In this state, the coil spring 47 for elastic recovery and the elastic displacement portion 54 are in the most extended state in the initial state. In addition, the extension portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 and the step portion 21s of the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 are separated in the axial direction.

[0162] then, Fig.13 (A) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 in the electronic pen main body module 3 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment protrudes to the outside from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing part 21. Fig.13 (B) shows a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

[0163] like Fig.13 As shown in (A), at this time, the following state is achieved: the fin portion 43a of the front shaft portion 43 of the electronic pen main body module 3 is engaged with the locking portion 41f of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in (B), the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is held in a state of protruding from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21. In this state, the elastic recovery coil spring 47 is in a state of elastic displacement. On the other hand, the elastic displacement portion 54 is temporarily elastically displaced during the tapping operation to make the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 protrude from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21, but in this state, the elastic recovery coil spring 47 is in a state of elastic displacement. Fig.13 When the tapping operation is completed, the length has been restored to its original length.

[0164] And, in this state, if Fig.13 As shown in (B), the extension portion 57 of the writing input pen core 5 is engaged with the step portion 21s of the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the protrusion amount of the pen tip side of the writing input pen core 5 from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 is a predetermined appropriate amount, i.e., a specified protrusion length Lp.

[0165] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the front shaft portion 43 and the rear end side shaft portion 42 are in a state of being combined, Fig.13 In the state where the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is protruding as shown in (B), the rear end cover member 44 is locked in a pressed state. Therefore, in this state, when the rear end cover member 44 is turned toward the position detection sensor side in order to use the erasing refill 6, the knocking operation part Nk does not become free like a knocking ballpoint pen, etc., and the ease of use in the erasing instruction is good.

[0166] Furthermore, as described later, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, in order to Fig.13 In order to store the pen tip side of the writing input pen core 5 again in the pen tip side housing portion 21 by the tapping operation from the state (B), a large load needs to be applied to contract the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 at the rear end portion of the writing input pen core 5. Therefore, the tapping mechanism will not operate at the level of pen pressure in the case of indicating the erasing position based on the erasing pen core 6. In this regard, the ease of use in the erasing indication based on the erasing pen core 6 is also good.

[0167] The above-described operation of the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body module 3 of the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment during the tapping operation will be further described in comparison with the operation of the pen tip side of a conventional tapping-type electronic pen 1PR.

[0168] Fig.14 This is a diagram for explaining the movement of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3PR during the tapping operation of the conventional tapping-type electronic pen 1PR. Fig.14 (A) shows the non-pressed state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3PR is stored in the pen case 2PR. Fig.14 (B) shows that Fig.14 From the state (A), the user of the electronic pen 1PR presses the tapping rod 12PR of the tapping cam mechanism 10PR to cause the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3PR to protrude from the opening of the pen case 2PR by a predetermined protrusion length Lp.

[0169] In the conventional knocking type electronic pen 1PR, Fig.14 In the state (B), the pressing operation of the pen tip of the electronic pen body 3PR is not completed. If the pressing operation of the knocking rod 12PR is stopped, the electronic pen body 3PR will be released by the restoring spring of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR (in Fig.14 The elastic displacement force (omitted in the figure) is restored to Fig.14 (A) is in the non-pressed state.

[0170] From this Fig.14 From the state (B), the user further presses the knocking rod 12PR, such as Fig.14 As shown in (C), the pen tip of the electronic pen body 3PR protrudes from the opening of the pen case 2PR by a predetermined protrusion length Lp or more. Then, the rotating body of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR rotates, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown in (D), in a state where the pen tip of the electronic pen body 3PR protrudes from the opening of the pen case 2A by a predetermined protrusion length Lp, the knock cam mechanism 10PR is locked, and the push-out operation is completed.

[0171] And, if from this Fig.14 (D) In ​​the state of using the electronic pen 1PR in which the pen tip is pushed out by a predetermined protruding length Lp, the knocking stick 12PR is further pressed. Fig.14 When the pen tip of the electronic pen body 3PR is again protruded from the opening of the pen case 2PR by a predetermined protrusion length Lp or more as shown in (E), the rotary body of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR rotates, and the locked state pressed is released, and the restoring spring of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR (in Fig.14 The figure is omitted, but corresponds to the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 47), such as Fig.14 As shown in (F), the electronic pen main body 3PR returns to Fig.14 The electronic pen body 3PR shown in (A) is in a non-pushed-out state with the pen tip side housed in the pen case 2PR.

[0172] As described above, in the case of the conventional knocking type electronic pen 1PR, Fig.14 As shown in (C) and (E), the electronic pen body 3PR needs to be moved toward the opening side of the pen case 2PR in such a manner that the pen tip of the electronic pen body 3PR protrudes by a protrusion length greater than a prescribed protrusion length Lp. In these conditions, due to long-term use, the coil of the signal sending component, which is an example of a component that is not intended to be in contact with the inner wall surface of the pen case 2 on the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3PR, may come into contact with the inner wall surface of the pen case 2PR.

[0173] In addition, for example, when the knocking rod 12PR of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR is provided with a position indicator for erasing, Fig.14 When the electronic pen 1PR is used with the pen tip pressed to a predetermined protruding length Lp as in (D), and the knocking rod 12PR is pressed against the position detection sensor to use the position indicator for erasing, the knocking cam mechanism 10PR will perform a knocking action due to the pressure (load) of the abutment, which leads to a problem of poor usability. In addition, generally speaking, the knocking rod 12PR and the rotating body of the knocking cam mechanism 10PR are not connected, so the knocking rod 12PR will Fig.14 In (D), the device can freely move back and forth between the position indicated by the dotted line and the position indicated by the solid line, which results in poor usability.

[0174] Next, refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 The operation of the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 and the operation of the tapping cam mechanism portion during the tapping operation of the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0175] Fig.15 (A) shows the non-pressed state in which the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is housed in the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen main body module 3. In this state, the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the extended portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 are separated in the axial direction and are not in an engaged state.

[0176] And, if from this Fig.15 In the state (A), the user of the electronic pen 1 presses down the knocking operation part Nk of the rear end part of the rear end cover member 44 against the elastic force of the coil spring 47 as the restoring elastic member of the knocking cam mechanism part, so that Fig.15 When the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is made to protrude from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 by a specified protrusion length Lp as shown in (B), the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the extending portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 are engaged, and the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is put into a state where it will not move further in the direction of protruding from the opening 2a inside the pen tip side housing portion 21.

[0177] However, in this Fig.15 In the state (B), the pressing operation of the pen tip of the writing input pen core 5 is not completed, and the fin portion 43a of the front shaft portion 43 constituting the rotating body portion is not completely separated from the groove portion 41c of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41. If the pressing operation based on the knocking operation portion Nk is stopped, the writing input pen core 5 will be restored to the state due to the elastic displacement force of the restoring coil spring 47. Fig.15 (A) is in the non-pressed state.

[0178] And, if from Fig.15 From the state (B), the user applies a large pressure (load) to the knocking operation portion Nk to counteract the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 at the rear end of the writing input pen core 5, thereby pressing the rear end cover member 44 toward the pen tip. Then, the protruding length of the writing input pen core 5 from the opening 2a on the pen tip side is still the specified protruding length Lp. However, if Fig.15 As shown in (C), the elastic displacement portion 54 at the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 contracts in the axial direction. Fig.15As shown in (C), the front shaft portion 43 constituting the rotating body moves in the axial direction, the fin portion 43a thereof disengages from the groove portion 41c of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41, and the front shaft portion 43 and the gear portion 45 begin to engage, and the rotational force begins to be applied to the front shaft portion 43.

[0179] And, if Fig.16 As shown in (A), if the front shaft portion 43 and the gear portion 45 are fully engaged, the front shaft portion 43 constituting the rotating body portion rotates by a predetermined angle. It should be noted that, at this time, as described above, since the front shaft portion 43 is rotatably coupled to the rear end side shaft portion 42, the rear end side shaft portion 42 does not rotate. In addition, the writing input refill 5 is engaged with the convex portion of the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 at the extension portion 57 and does not rotate, but since the engaging protrusion 543 of the elastic displacement portion 54 on the rear end side of the writing input refill 5 is engaged with the engaging recess 43c of the front shaft portion 43 via the spacer 48, the front shaft portion 43 is not subjected to an unreasonable load and rotates.

[0180] After that, if the load acting on the knocking operation part Nk decreases, the extension part 57 of the writing input core 5 and the step part 21s of the pen tip side housing part 21 are engaged, so that the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement part 54 of the writing input core 5 is reduced. Fig.16 As shown in (B), a force acts to separate the front shaft portion 43 from the gear portion 45. Fig.16 As shown in (B), the front shaft portion 43 rotates while the fin portion 43a moves along the tilt of the locking portion 41f of the small diameter portion 41b of the knocking shell portion 41, as shown in FIG. Fig.16 As shown in (C), the fin portion 43a is locked in a state of being engaged with the locking portion 41f. In this state, the elastically deformable portion 54 returns to the state of the original length.

[0181] By the action of the knock cam mechanism in this embodiment based on the knock operation, the writing input pen core 5 is locked in a state where the pen tip protrudes from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 by a predetermined protrusion length Lp. Fig.16 In the state (C), the contracted elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 returns to its original length, and the electronic pen 1 becomes a use state for writing input in which the tip of the writing input refill 5 is pressed out with a specified protruding length Lp, and the pressing out of the tip of the writing input refill 5 based on the tapping operation is completed.

[0182] It is obvious from the above description that the length of the axial direction of the movement of the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 during the tapping operation is smaller than the length of the axial stroke of the tapping cam mechanism when the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is protruded from the opening 2a of the pen tip side housing portion 21 of the pen case 2 (corresponding to the axial movement distance of the front shaft portion 43). That is, the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 moves by the same amount as the pressing amount of the tapping operation portion Nk until the extension portion 57 hits the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21, but does not move further. Furthermore, if the pressure (load) of the coil spring 542 that resists the elastic displacement portion 54 is applied to the tapping operation portion Nk, the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 changes its length in the axial direction. The displacement of the length of the elastic displacement portion 54 becomes a part of the required stroke during the tapping operation.

[0183] In this Fig.16 When the user applies pen pressure by bringing the top end of the core body 51 of the pen tip into contact with the input surface of the position detection sensor while the writing input pen refill 5 is in use (C), the pen pressure applied to the top end of the core body 51 is accurately detected by the pen pressure detection unit 55 because the elastic displacement unit 54 is insensitive to the pen pressure.

[0184] Furthermore, when the pen tip of the writing input refill 5 is pushed out from the opening 2a of the pen housing 2 (pen tip side housing portion 21), for example, when the electronic pen 1 is accidentally dropped and an impact load is applied to the pen tip side, the impact load is absorbed by the elastic displacement of the elastic displacement portion 54, and damage to the writing input refill 5 can be avoided. That is, the elastic displacement portion 54 plays the role of a so-called impact absorber. It should be noted that when an impact load is applied to the rear end cover member 44 side, it also plays the role of a shock absorber.

[0185] Next, if you want to make the pen tip of the writing input pen core 5 move from the Fig.16 (C) The writing input state in which the pen tip of the writing input refill 5 is pushed out by a predetermined protruding length Lp is restored to the state stored in the pen tip side housing portion 21. Fig.15 In the state (A), in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary to apply pressure (load) to the tapping operation portion Nk to counteract the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5. This is because, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, since the extension portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 is engaged with the step portion 21s in the pen tip side housing portion 21, in order to release the engagement between the fin portion 43a of the front shaft portion 43 and the locking portion 41f of the small diameter portion 41b of the tapping housing portion 41, it is necessary to shrink the elastic displacement portion 54. Then, in the reverse order of the above-mentioned pressing of the top end portion of the writing input refill, the operation is restored to Fig.15The state shown in (A) is that the tip end portion of the writing input refill 5 is accommodated in the pen tip side housing portion 21 .

[0186] That is, if Fig.16 In the state (C), the tapping operation part Nk is pressed into the rear end cover member 44 by applying a pressure (load) against the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement part 54, and the step part 21s of the pen tip side housing part 21 and the extension part 57 of the writing input refill 5 are engaged, so the protruding length of the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is still the specified protruding length Lp, but the elastic displacement part 54 of the writing input refill 5 is contracted in the axial direction, and the front shaft part 43 is displaced toward the gear part 45. In response, the engagement between the fin part 43a of the front shaft part 43 and the locking part 41f of the small diameter part 41b of the tapping housing part 41 is loosened, and the top end of the front shaft part 43 is engaged with the gear part 45, so that the front shaft part 43 rotates.

[0187] Furthermore, due to the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 and the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 47 for elastic restoration, the front shaft portion 43 moves away from the gear portion 45 while rotating, and the fin portion 43a of the front shaft portion 43 returns to the position fitted in the groove portion 41c of the knocking shell portion 41. Fig.15 In the state (A), the tip end portion of the writing input refill 5 returns to the state housed in the pen tip side housing portion 21 .

[0188] [Effects of the electronic pen 1 according to the embodiment]

[0189] As described above, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, during the tapping operation in the electronic pen 1, the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21 and the protruding portion 57 of the writing input refill 5 are engaged, the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is maintained in a protruding state not exceeding the prescribed protruding length Lp, and the pressing and restoring action of the pen tip portion of the writing input refill 5 based on the tapping cam mechanism portion is achieved through the elastic displacement of the elastic displacement portion 54.

[0190] Therefore, the writing input pen core 5 pressed out by the tapping operation is also suppressed from displacement in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction due to the presence of the extension portion 57. This also prevents the coil 521, which is an example of a component that is not intended to contact the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21 on the writing input pen core 5, from coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21.

[0191] In addition, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, it is configured as follows: Fig.16In the state shown in (C) where the top end of the writing input pen core 5 protrudes from the opening 2a of the pen tip side shell portion 21 for writing input, if no pressure (load) is applied to the knocking operation portion Nk to counteract the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 and the rear end cover member 44 is pressed in, the knocking cam mechanism portion does not operate.

[0192] Therefore, in Fig.16 When writing input is performed with the top end of the writing input refill 5 protruding from the opening 2a of the pen tip side shell portion 21 as shown in (C), the user can change the electronic pen 1 to a state in which the top end side and the rear end side are reversed and perform an erasing indication by bringing the rear end cover member 44 side of the electronic pen 1 into contact with the position detection sensor in a state with good usability.

[0193] That is, when the rear end cover member 44 is pressed against the position detection sensor in order to perform electronic erasure based on the erasing refill 6 of the electronic pen 1, as long as a pressure (load) greater than the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 is not applied, the knocking action based on the knocking cam mechanism will not be performed, and the erasing indication can be performed in a state where a strong pressure is applied, which improves ease of use.

[0194] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 42 are combined, and the rear cover member 44 having the knocking operation portion Nk is combined with the rear shaft portion 42. Therefore, the rear cover member 44 having the knocking operation portion Nk is formed in the rear shaft portion 42. Fig.16 That is, the rear end cover member 44 will not be like a knocking ballpoint pen. Fig.14 The knocking rod 12PR in the state of (D) is moved freely back and forth in the axial direction between the dotted line position and the solid line position. Therefore, the poor usability of the knocking ballpoint pen described above can be improved.

[0195] Furthermore, as described above, the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment can be assembled by fitting a plurality of components in sequence in the axial direction, and can be easily disassembled in the reverse order. Therefore, each component can be replaced, and the economical efficiency is excellent.

[0196] [Other embodiments or modifications]

[0197] It should be noted that in the electronic pen 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the front shaft portion 43 constituting the rotating body portion and the rear end side shaft portion 42 constituting the knocking rod are combined, but as long as the rear end side shaft portion 42 is a structure that can press and move the front shaft portion 43 in the axial direction, they do not have to be combined.

[0198] In addition, in order to rotate the front shaft portion 43 as an example of a rotating body portion, the gear portion 45 is used in the above-mentioned embodiment, but the structure for rotating the rotating body portion is of course not limited to this example.

[0199] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure is as follows: in order to configure that when the erasing refill 6 of the electronic pen 1 is used, if a load greater than the load during the normal tapping operation in the case of a conventional tapping ballpoint pen is not applied, the tapping cam mechanism does not operate, the coil spring 47 of the tapping cam mechanism and the coil spring 542 of the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 are used, and the extension portion 57 is engaged with the step portion 21s of the pen tip side shell portion 21, but it is not limited to this structure.

[0200] For example, by using a coil spring having the same elastic characteristics as the coil spring 542 as the coil spring 47 of the tapping cam mechanism, removing the elastic displacement portion 54 from the writing input refill 5 and not providing the extension portion 57 and the step portion 21s, it is possible to configure the tapping cam mechanism not to operate unless a load greater than the load during the normal tapping operation in the case of a conventional tapping-type ballpoint pen is applied when the erasing refill 6 of the electronic pen 1 is used.

[0201] However, in this case, a large load needs to be applied at the beginning of the tapping operation, and the tapping operation is not easy to perform. In this regard, in the structure of the electronic pen 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, at the beginning of the tapping operation when the pen tip side of the writing input refill 5 is pressed out, only the coil spring 47 of the tapping cam mechanism part is elastically displaced, so the action of the tapping cam mechanism part can be started with a relatively light load, which is relatively excellent.

[0202] It should be noted that, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the stopper portion of the inner wall surface of the nib side housing portion 21 for engaging with the extension portion 57 to prevent the writing input refill 5 from moving toward the nib side is a structure of a step portion 21s formed by changing the diameter of the hollow portion of the nib side housing portion 21, but it is not limited to such a step portion 21s, and any structure can be used as long as it can engage with the extension portion 57 to prevent the writing input refill 5 from moving toward the nib side. For example, the stopper portion may also be a structure of a protrusion on the inner wall surface of the nib side housing portion 21 that engages with all or part of the extension portion 57 to prevent the writing input refill 5 from moving toward the nib side.

[0203] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the extension portion 57 provided on the writing input refill 5 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the refill case 53, but the direction is not limited to the perpendicular direction, and any direction may be used as long as it intersects the axial direction and engages with the step portion 21s of the pen tip side case portion 21. Taking this into consideration, when determining the formation position of the step portion 21s and the formation position of the extension portion 57, the engagement position of the step portion 21s and the extension portion 57 is selected as a reference.

[0204] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the extension portion 57 is formed to protrude from the angular range of 180 degrees from each other on the outer circumference of the refill case 53, but is not limited to this. It can also be formed to protrude in three directions from the angular range of 120 degrees from each other, or one extension portion can be formed in a specified angular range on the outer circumference of the refill case 53.

[0205] In addition, the extended portion 57 may be formed on the entire circumference of the refill case 53 . Fig.17 This is an example in which the extended portion is formed on the entire circumference of the core case 53 , and this example is an example in which the extended portion is formed by designing the shape of the holder portion 531 of the core case 53 .

[0206] Fig.17 (A) is an enlarged view of the connection side of the holder portion 531A of the lead case 53A in this example and the signal transmission member 52 composed of the coil 521 wound around the ferrite core 522. Fig.17 (B) is an enlarged perspective view of the signal transmitting member 52 constituted by the coil 521 wound around the ferrite core 522 and the holder portion 531A of the lead case 53A.

[0207] In this Fig.17 In the example of , the holder portion 531A of the refill case 53A has an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter R0 of the protective cover portion 532 at the connection position with the pen tip side end portion of the protective cover portion 532. Furthermore, the holder portion 531A has an extended shape portion 57A whose outer diameter gradually increases from the outer diameter R0 of the connection position with the protective cover portion 532 toward the pen tip side and whose maximum outer diameter becomes a diameter R6 that is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion 21e of the pen tip side case portion 21. Furthermore, in Fig.17 In the example of FIG. 5 , a tip portion 531Aa having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter R0 of the protective cover portion 532 is formed on the pen tip side of the protruding shape portion 57A.

[0208] Therefore, in this example, if Fig.17As shown in (A) and (B), a step portion is formed at the boundary between the end of the protruding shape portion 57A on the pen tip side and the top portion 531Aa, and the end face 57Aa of the protruding shape portion 57A constituting the step portion engages with the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21. It should be noted that the bracket portion 531A may be formed in a manner having only the protruding shape portion 57A without providing the top portion 531Aa, and the end face 57Aa of the protruding shape portion 57A engages with the step portion 21s as an example of a stopper on the inner wall surface of the pen tip side housing portion 21.

[0209] And, in this embodiment, if Fig.17 As shown in (A) and (B), the recess 57Ab is provided at a predetermined angle position in the circumferential direction in the extended shape portion 57A of the bracket portion 531A. On the other hand, in the case of this example, a protrusion engaging with the recess 57Ab is formed at a predetermined angle position in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface near the step portion 21s of the pen tip side housing portion 21, and the writing input refill 5 is configured so that the protrusion of the pen tip side housing portion 21 engages with the recess 57Ab and the writing input refill 5 does not rotate around the axial direction. In other words, the recess 57Ab is used to stop the writing input refill 5 from rotating.

[0210] In addition, in this example, Fig.17 As shown in (B), a groove 57Ac is formed along the axial direction at a predetermined angle position in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the extended shape portion 57A of the bracket portion 531A. Fig.17 As shown in (B), the lead portions 521a and 521b at both ends of the coil 521 are received in the groove 57Ac and guided into the protective cover portion 532. A circuit substrate held by the bracket portion 531A exists in the protective cover portion 532, and the lead portions 521a and 521b of the coil 521 are connected to the capacitor disposed on the circuit substrate to form a resonant circuit.

[0211] It should be noted that, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the elastic displacement portion 54 of the writing input refill 5 is provided at the rear end side of the refill housing 53, 53A, but it may also be provided in the middle of the refill housing 53. For example, the refill housing 53, 53A may be divided into two parts, such as the protective cover portion 532, and the elastic displacement portion 54 may be provided in the middle of the protective cover portion 532 divided into two parts.

[0212] It should be noted that the pen tip of the first position indicating portion for writing input may be configured to leave a writing mark on a writing medium such as paper, and an erasing function portion for erasing the writing mark on the writing medium may be provided at the top end of the knocking portion NK on the rear end side. For example, the core body of the writing input pen core 5 constituting the first position indicating portion may be formed of a material containing graphite, for example, in order to leave a writing mark on a writing medium such as paper, and an eraser member for erasing the writing mark formed by the graphite may be provided at the top end of the knocking portion NK on the rear end side.

[0213] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the first position indicator is for writing input and the second position indicator is for erasing. However, both the first position indicator and the second position indicator may be for writing input.

[0214] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first position indicating portion and the second position indicating portion are structures of the electronic pen refill, but one or both of them may be structures other than the electronic pen refill.

[0215] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the electronic pen has a special structure that can be assembled by combining multiple parts in sequence and the assembled electronic pen can be easily separated into multiple parts by uncombining them in the reverse order of assembly, but it is of course not limited to such a structure.

[0216] Furthermore, the above embodiment describes the case of an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen, but is not limited to the electromagnetic induction type, and can also be similarly applied to the case of an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen such as an active electrostatic capacitance type. It should be noted that in the case of an electrostatic capacitance type electronic pen, the first position indicating portion and / or the second position indicating portion can also be a structure of the electronic pen core.

[0217] Description of Reference Numerals

[0218] 1…electronic pen, 2…pen housing, 2a…opening, 3…electronic pen main body module, 4…electronic pen main body structure, 5…pen refill for writing input, 6…pen refill for erasing, 21…pen tip side housing, 22…rear end side housing, 21s…stepped portion, 41…knocking housing, 42…rear end side shaft, 42…front shaft, 44…rear end cover member, 45…gear portion, 46…gear bracket portion, 47…coil spring, 48…spacer, 51, 61…core, 5 2, 62…signal sending member, 53, 63…pen core housing, 54…elastic displacement portion, 55, 65…pen pressure detecting portion, 56, 66…circuit substrate, 57…extending portion, 101AS, 102AS, 103AS, 104AS…assembly component, 521, 621…coil, 522, 622…ferrite core, 531…bracket portion, 532…protective cover portion, 541…rod-shaped member, 542…coil spring, 543…engaging protrusion.

Claims

1. An electronic pen, characterized in that: have: A cylindrical pen housing; A first position indicating portion, disposed at one end side of the axial direction of the pen housing; A second position indicating portion is disposed at the other end side of the axial direction in the pen housing; and The knocking cam mechanism is driven by a load in the axial direction applied from the other end side in the axial direction. The first position indicating portion is arranged so that the tip end side for indicating the position can be inserted and removed from the opening on the one end side in the axial direction of the pen housing by the knock cam mechanism. The second position indicating portion is arranged in a state where the tip side for indicating the position is the other end side in the axial direction. The electronic pen includes an elastic component for causing the top end side of the first position indicating portion to move in and out of the opening using the knocking cam mechanism when a pressure greater than the pressure applied to the top end side of the second position indicating portion when the second position indicating portion is in use is applied to the other end side in the axial direction.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knock cam mechanism includes an elastic restoring member for restoring the tip end side of the first position indicating portion from a state protruding from the opening to a state accommodated in the pen case. The elastic member is composed of the elastic restoring member.

3. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knocking cam mechanism comprises a cam body, a knocking rod and a rotating body. The knocking rod part and the rotating body part are combined in the axial direction of the pen housing. The first position indicating portion is locked to the rotating body portion at a side opposite to the tip end side in the axial direction, and the second position indicating portion is provided on the knocking rod portion.

4. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knock cam mechanism includes an elastic restoring member for restoring the tip end side of the first position indicating portion from a state protruding from the opening to a state accommodated in the pen case. The first position indicator has an elastic displacement portion, which is insensitive to the range of pressure applied to the top end side during use, and when a load greater than the range of pressure is applied, the length of the first position indicator or the second position indicator in the axial direction is elastically contracted and displaced according to the applied load. A protruding portion protruding in a direction intersecting the axial direction is formed at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the first position indicating portion, A stopper is formed on the inner wall surface of the hollow portion of the pen housing, and the stopper engages with the extension portion to prevent the position indicator from moving toward the tip side in the pen housing when the tip side of the first position indicator is exposed to the outside from the opening of the pen housing. The elastic member is composed of the elastic restoring member and the elastic displacement portion.

5. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The knocking cam mechanism comprises a cam body, a knocking rod and a rotating body. The knocking rod part and the rotating body part are combined in the axial direction of the pen housing. The first position indicating portion is locked to the rotating body portion at a side opposite to the tip end side in the axial direction, and the second position indicating portion is provided on the knocking rod portion.

6. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic restoring member is disposed between a predetermined position in the axial direction in a hollow portion in the pen housing that accommodates the first position indicating portion and the rotating body.

7. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic displacement portion is provided on a side opposite to the distal end side with respect to the first position indicating portion in the axial direction.

8. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic displacement portion is provided at an end portion opposite to the tip end side in the axial direction relative to the first position indicating portion. The elastic displacement portion is provided with a fitting portion that fits and locks with the rotating body portion.

9. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extending portion is configured so that the length of the first position indicating portion in the axial direction from the top position of the top end side to the portion of the extending portion engaged with the step portion is a length obtained by adding the length in the axial direction from the top position of the top end side of the pen housing to the step portion to the length set as the length that the top end side of the first position indicating portion should protrude from the opening of the pen housing when the electronic pen is used.

10. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The axial length of movement of the tip portion of the first position indicating portion during a tapping operation is smaller than the axial length of a stroke of the tapping cam mechanism portion during the tapping operation when the tip side of the first position indicating portion protrudes from the first opening of the pen housing.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the top end side of the first position indicating portion is made to protrude from the opening of the pen case, the knocking cam mechanism portion operates by utilizing pressure to counteract the elastic displacement force of the elastic recovery component until the extending portion of the first position indicating portion is engaged with the stop portion of the pen case. After the extending portion of the first position indicating portion is engaged with the stop portion of the pen case, the knocking cam mechanism portion operates by utilizing pressure to counteract the elastic displacement force of the elastic displacement portion.

12. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating body moves in the axial direction according to the movement of the knocking rod toward the tip side of the first position indicating portion, and engages with the cam piece of the cam body portion. In the pen case, a gear portion is provided at a predetermined position in the axial direction that engages with an end portion of the rotating body on the tip end side of the first position indicating portion, and that rotates the rotating body by a predetermined angle when the rotating body is engaged.

13. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knocking cam mechanism comprises a cam body, a knocking rod and a rotating body. The knocking stick portion includes a cylindrical body, and at least a portion of the second position indicating portion on the side opposite to the distal end side is accommodated in the cylindrical body.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that: The distal end side of the second position indicating portion is covered by a cylindrical portion.

15. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tip end side of the second position indicating portion is covered by a cover-like member.

16. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first position indicating portion is used for writing input or drawing input, and the second position indicating portion is used for erasing writing input or drawing input based on the first position indicating portion.

17. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first position indicating unit and the second position indicating unit have an electromagnetic induction structure.

18. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first position indicator and the second position indicator have an active capacitive structure.

19. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first position indicating part is a pen core structure formed by modularizing an electronic circuit disposed in a cylindrical housing and an interaction part that interacts with a position detection sensor.

20. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second position indicating part is a pen core structure formed by modularizing an electronic circuit disposed in a cylindrical housing and an interaction part that interacts with a position detection sensor.

21. The electronic pen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The stopper is a structure of a step portion formed on an inner wall surface of the pen housing.

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