Gear pen

Abstract

The invention discloses a gear pen, which comprises a pen holder, a gear, a pen cap and a driving device, wherein the pen holder is internally provided with an axially extending track; the pen refill is arranged in the pen holder in a sliding manner; the sliding block is connected with the pen refill and is arranged to be capable of sliding along the track; the driving mechanism comprises a gear and a swing arm, the gear is rotatably arranged on the outer side of the pen holder, the swing arm is arranged on the inner side of the pen holder, and the gear is in transmission connection with the swing arm, so that the swing arm can synchronously rotate along with the gear; wherein the swing arm is of an eccentric structure, and when the swing arm rotates, the swing arm can push the sliding block to move along the track, so that the refill is driven to stretch out or retract back; and the elastic reset piece provides elastic force for the refill to enable the refill to tend to retract.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of writing instrument technology, and in particular to a gear pen. Background Technology

[0002] Most retractable pens on the market currently use either a pressing mechanism at the tip or a rotating mechanism at the end to extend the lead. These traditional methods have the following inherent drawbacks: 1. Monotonous and uninspired user experience: Users are prone to fatigue from prolonged use of traditional pressing or rotating methods, and the operation lacks variety and fun. 2. Complex structure and inconvenient assembly: To achieve reliable telescopic and locking functions, a large number of parts and complex internal structures are often required, resulting in cumbersome production processes and high costs. 3. Poor locking stability and tactile feedback: When writing, the pen tip may not lock securely enough, posing a risk of wobbling; at the same time, users lack clear, phased mechanical feedback to confirm whether the pen tip has fully extended to a reliable writing position or has fully retracted, affecting the certainty and experience of use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide a gear pen to solve the problems of limited user experience, complex structure, and poor locking stability in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a gear pen, comprising: a pen barrel, wherein an axially extending track is provided inside the pen barrel; a pen core, wherein the pen core is slidably disposed within the pen barrel; a slider, wherein the slider is connected to the pen core and configured to slide along the track; a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism includes a gear rotatably disposed on the outside of the pen barrel and a swing arm disposed on the inside of the pen barrel, the gear being drively connected to the swing arm so that the swing arm can rotate synchronously with the gear; wherein the swing arm is configured with an eccentric structure, wherein when the swing arm rotates, it can push the slider to move along the track, thereby causing the pen core to extend or retract; and an elastic reset member, wherein the elastic reset member provides a spring force to the pen core to tend towards retraction.

[0005] Furthermore, the slider is provided with a mating part for the end of the swing arm to engage or slide over. When the swing arm rotates to a specific angle and engages with the mating part, a noticeable change in tactile feedback is provided. By providing a specific mating part on the slider, a clear movement path is provided for the end of the swing arm. When the swing arm rotates to a specific angle and engages with the mating part, a clear sense of hesitation or change in resistance is generated, providing the user with clear and perceptible tactile feedback. This design solves the problem of "unclear tactile feedback" in the prior art, allowing the user to perceive the core release / retraction action without visual confirmation, greatly improving the certainty of operation and user experience.

[0006] Furthermore, the slider is provided with a guide groove or recess to form the mating part. The guide groove can accurately guide the movement trajectory of the end of the swing arm to ensure accurate tactile feedback position; the recess can form a clear locking point, thus enabling the tactile feedback mechanism to be implemented stably and repeatably, reducing the complexity and cost of the production process.

[0007] Furthermore, when the swing arm rotates to the point where its extension direction is parallel to the axis of the pen refill, the swing arm abuts against the slider or the pen refill to overcome the elastic force of the elastic reset member and lock the pen refill in the extended position. This design clarifies the locking mechanism of the pen refill in the extended position: when the swing arm is parallel to the pen refill, its abutting action directly and effectively overcomes the continuous elastic force of the elastic reset member, thereby achieving stable pen refill retention. This ensures that the pen refill does not wobble or retract unexpectedly during writing, providing solid writing support and solving the core problem of "poor locking stability" in traditional pens. This method of mechanical self-locking using a specific angle of the swing arm is simple in structure and has reliable locking force, which is key to achieving stable writing functionality in this application.

[0008] Furthermore, when the swing arm continues to rotate from a position parallel to the axial direction of the pen refill and undergoes an angular shift, the arm's resistance to the slider is released or weakened, and the pen refill begins to retract under the action of the elastic reset element. When the swing arm deviates from the parallel position, its resistance to the slider is released or weakened. This establishes a causal relationship of "angular shift → release of mechanical constraint → release of elastic force → refill retraction." This design ensures the timeliness and automation of the refill action, and the process is controllable, avoiding problems such as incomplete refill or jamming.

[0009] Furthermore, when the rotation angle between the gear and the swing arm is between 85° and 90°, the pen refill is switched from one stable position to another. Limiting the rotation angle between the gear and the swing arm to this range of 85° to 90° clearly defines the operational stroke required to complete one full action (extending the lock to retracting the lock, or vice versa). This angle range is ingeniously designed, allowing the user to complete the function switch with a short, precise rotational motion, resulting in high operational efficiency and ergonomics.

[0010] Furthermore, the connection between the swing arm and the gear is an interference fit and / or secured with adhesive. The use of an interference fit and / or adhesive between the swing arm and the gear ensures the directness and reliability of power transmission. The interference fit provides a robust mechanical connection, while the adhesive prevents loosening and fills gaps. This connection method effectively prevents slippage or freewheeling between the gear and the swing arm, ensuring that every rotation angle applied to the gear by the user's finger is precisely transmitted to the swing arm. This achieves a high degree of synchronization between operational input and mechanical action, improving the overall responsiveness and durability of the product.

[0011] Furthermore, the pen barrel includes a connectable upper pen barrel and a lower pen barrel; the drive mechanism and the slider are disposed within the upper pen barrel; and the elastic reset element is disposed within the lower pen barrel. Dividing the pen barrel into an upper and lower pen barrel, and separately placing the drive / actuation mechanism (i.e., gears, swing arms, and slider) and the reset / bearing mechanism (i.e., elastic reset element and pen refill) within them, achieves clear separation and optimized layout of functional modules. This arrangement greatly facilitates assembly, maintenance, and independent production and quality control of different components.

[0012] Furthermore, a top cap is provided at the end of the upper pen barrel, and the top cap is fixedly connected to the upper pen barrel; the gear is located between the top cap and the main body of the upper pen barrel. By setting the top cap and fixing it to the upper pen barrel, and simultaneously positioning the gear between the top cap and the pen barrel body, a reliable axial limit is formed for the gear, preventing the top cap from falling off or axially moving during use. The top cap can also serve as a carrier for aesthetics or brand identification.

[0013] Furthermore, a spring seat is provided inside the lower pen barrel, and one end of the elastic reset member abuts against the spring seat; the pen refill passes through the spring seat and the elastic reset member. The spring seat inside the lower pen barrel provides a dedicated and stable support platform for the elastic reset member. The spring seat fixes the installation position of the elastic reset member and ensures consistent force direction, avoiding problems such as uneven elastic force and stuck movement caused by the spring tilting or moving within the pen barrel. The structure of the pen refill passing through the spring seat also provides auxiliary guidance for the pen refill, further ensuring the linearity and stability of the pen refill's extension and retraction movement.

[0014] Furthermore, the feature is that it also includes a weighted spring disposed on the outside of the lead, the weighted spring being located between the elastic reset member and the shoulder of the lead or between the spring seat and the inner wall of the lower pen barrel. Adding a weighted spring and disposing of it between the elastic reset member and the shoulder of the lead or between the spring seat and the inner wall of the pen barrel results in a substantial improvement in writing feel. This weighted spring can provide additional, flexible damping during writing, simulating a writing pressure feel closer to that of a traditional wooden pencil, thus enhancing the quality of the writing experience.

[0015] Furthermore, the elastic reset element is a helical spring. Specifically defining the elastic reset element as a helical spring utilizes the most classic, reliable, low-cost, and stable elastic element. Helical springs provide linear and stable reset force, have a long lifespan, and are easy to obtain and assemble.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention lie in its integrated structure, which combines an external gear, a built-in eccentric swing arm, a slider, a track, and an elastic reset component within the pen barrel, comprehensively solving many of the shortcomings of traditional pens. Specific advantages include: The side-rotation operation with external gears revolutionizes the traditional pressing or pen-tail rotation mode, providing a novel and unique operating experience; The eccentric swing arm converts the rotational motion of the gear into the linear motion of the slider. This mechanical conversion method has a compact structure and direct transmission, which effectively simplifies the internal structure and reduces the number of parts and assembly complexity. This combined mechanism can stably and in stages control the extension and retraction of the pen tip: the swing arm pushes the slider to overcome the elastic force and extend the pen tip, and forms a mechanical lock at a specific position; combined with the elastic reset component, it can ensure that the pen tip retracts reliably and maintains the reset force. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 A perspective view of a gear pen provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a gear pen provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the gear pen's lead being in an extended and locked state, provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the pen tip of the gear pen provided in an embodiment of the present invention in an extended and locked state; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the retracted pen core of the gear pen provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the retracted pen core of the gear pen provided in an embodiment of the present invention; The above-mentioned figures include the following reference numerals: Pen barrel 1, upper pen barrel 11, lower pen barrel 12, top cap 13, spring seat 14, weighted spring 15, pen refill 2, slider 3, mating part 31, gear 4, swing arm 5, elastic return component 6 Detailed Implementation

[0018] This application provides a gear pen to address the problems of limited user experience, complex structure, and poor locking stability in the prior art.

[0019] The technical solution in this application aims to address the aforementioned problems of limited user experience, complex structure, and poor locking stability. The overall approach is as follows: First, the side-rotation operation of the external gear revolutionizes the traditional pressing or pen-tail rotation mode, providing a novel and unique operating experience. Second, the eccentric swing arm converts the rotational motion of the gear into the linear motion of the slider. This mechanical conversion method is compact and direct in transmission, effectively simplifying the internal structure and reducing the number of parts and assembly complexity. This combined mechanism can stably and in stages control the extension and retraction of the pen tip: the swing arm pushes the slider to overcome the elastic force and extend the pen tip, forming a mechanical lock at a specific position. Combined with the elastic reset component, it can ensure that the pen tip retracts reliably and maintains the reset force.

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0022] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a gear pen achieves stable, phased extension and retraction of the pen core 2 through a unique operation method of rotating the gear on the side, and provides clear tactile feedback.

[0023] The gear pen mainly includes a pen barrel 1, a pen core 2, a slider 3, a drive mechanism, and an elastic reset component 6.

[0024] The pen barrel 1 has an axially extending track inside. Specifically, the pen barrel 1 includes a detachably connected upper pen barrel 11 and a lower pen barrel 12, which can be fixedly connected by threads, snaps, etc., for easy assembly and maintenance. The upper pen barrel 11 has a top cap 13 at its end, which is fixedly connected to the upper pen barrel 11 by glue.

[0025] The drive mechanism and slider 3 are disposed within the upper pen barrel 11. The drive mechanism includes a gear 4 rotatably disposed on the outside of the upper pen barrel 11 and a swing arm 5 disposed on the inside of the upper pen barrel 11. The gear 4 is located between the top cap 13 and the main body of the upper pen barrel 11. The top cap 13 and the main body of the upper pen barrel 11 together provide axial restraint for the gear 4, preventing the gear 4 from falling off or moving axially. The gear 4 and the swing arm 5 are tightly fitted by an interference fit and can be further fixed with adhesive to ensure that they rotate synchronously without relative slippage. The swing arm 5 is configured as an eccentric structure, that is, the center of rotation does not coincide with the geometric center.

[0026] The slider 3 is fixed or snapped to the upper end of the pen refill 2 and is slidably disposed in the track inside the upper pen barrel 11, so that the slider 3 can only move up and down along the axis of the pen barrel 1, but cannot rotate. A guide groove or recess is provided on the slider 3 to form a mating part 31. The free end of the swing arm 5 can extend into the mating part 31 and slide or snap into it.

[0027] The elastic reset element 6 and the pen refill 2 are disposed inside the lower pen barrel 12. A spring seat 14 is provided inside the lower pen barrel 12, and the spring seat 14 is fixed to the lower pen barrel 12 with glue. In this embodiment, the elastic reset element 6 is a helical spring, one end of which abuts against the spring seat 14. The pen refill 2 passes sequentially through the central hole of the spring seat 14 and the elastic reset element 6. The lower end of the pen refill is used for writing, and the upper end of the pen refill is connected to the slider 3. The elastic reset element 6 is always in a compressed or pre-compressed state, thereby providing the pen refill 2 with a spring force that tends to retract in the direction of retraction (i.e., retracting upwards into the pen barrel 11).

[0028] In practice, a weighted spring 15 can be fitted on the outside of the pen refill 2. The weighted spring 15 can be located between the elastic reset member 6 and the shoulder of the pen refill 2, or between the spring seat 14 and the inner wall of the lower pen barrel 12, to provide additional cushioning and damping during writing and optimize the writing feel.

[0029] The working principle of this invention is as follows: like Figure 3-4 The diagram shows the lead-out process of a gear pen: The user rotates the gear 4 located on the side of the pen barrel 1 with their finger. The gear 4 drives the eccentric swing arm 5, which is fixedly connected to it, to rotate synchronously. Initially, the pen lead 2 is in a fully retracted state. When the swing arm 5 begins to rotate, its eccentric structure begins to push the slider 3 in contact with it, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic reset member 6, causing the slider 3 to move downward along the track, thereby causing the pen lead 2 to extend downward. When the swing arm 5 rotates to the point where its extension direction is approximately parallel to the axis of the pen lead 2 (for example, rotating about 90°), the main body of the swing arm 5 will firmly abut against the side of the slider 3 or the corresponding part of the pen lead 2. At this time, the abutting force of the swing arm 5 against the slider 3 and the upward elastic force of the elastic reset member 6 form a stable mechanical balance, firmly locking the pen lead 2 in the fully extended position, providing stable support for writing. During this process, when the end of the swing arm 5 rotates to a specific angle and engages with the mating part 31 on the slider 3, the user will feel a clear "click" sensation, clearly indicating that the lead extension action has been completed. like Figure 5-6 The following shows the core-gathering process of a gear pen: When it is necessary to retract the pen refill 2, the user continues to rotate gear 4 in the same direction. The swing arm 5 rotates accordingly, its extension direction gradually deviating from the state of being parallel to the axis of the pen refill 2. Once the abutting surface of the swing arm 5 leaves the locked contact position with the slider 3, its constraint force on the slider 3 is quickly released or weakened. At this time, the elastic force of the always-present elastic reset element 6 loses its balance, driving the pen refill 2 and slider 3 to retract rapidly upwards together. Until the swing arm 5 rotates to the corresponding position where the pen refill 2 is fully retracted, its end may slide into the other side of the mating part 31 or reach another extreme position, at which point the pen refill 2 is fully retracted, and one operation cycle is completed.

[0030] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any modifications, substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gear pen, characterized in that, include: The pen barrel has an axially extending track inside; The pen refill is slidably disposed within the pen barrel; A slider, which is connected to the pen refill and configured to slide along the track; The driving mechanism includes a gear rotatably disposed on the outside of the pen barrel and a swing arm disposed on the inside of the pen barrel. The gear is connected to the swing arm in a transmission manner, so that the swing arm can rotate synchronously with the gear. The swing arm is configured as an eccentric structure. When the swing arm rotates, it can push the slider to move along the track, thereby causing the pen refill to extend or retract. An elastic reset element provides a spring force to the pen refill, causing it to retract in a retracting direction.

2. A gear pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider is provided with a mating part for the end of the swing arm to engage or slide. When the swing arm rotates to a specific angle and engages with the mating part, it provides a noticeable change in feel.

3. A gear pen according to claim 2, characterized in that, The slider has a guide groove or recess to form the mating part.

4. A gear pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the swing arm rotates to the point where its extension direction is parallel to the axis of the pen refill, the swing arm abuts against the slider or pen refill to overcome the elastic force of the elastic reset member and lock the pen refill in the extended position.

5. A gear pen according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the swing arm continues to rotate from a position parallel to the axis of the pen refill and undergoes an angular shift, the abutment of the swing arm against the slider is released or weakened, and the pen refill begins to retract under the action of the elastic reset member.

6. A gear pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the rotation angle between the gear and the swing arm is 85° to 90°, the pen refill is switched from one stable position to another; the connection between the swing arm and the gear is an interference fit and / or fixed by adhesive.

7. A gear pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pen barrel includes a connectable upper pen barrel and a lower pen barrel; the driving mechanism and the slider are disposed inside the upper pen barrel; the elastic reset member is disposed inside the lower pen barrel; the end of the upper pen barrel is provided with a top cap, and the top cap is fixedly connected to the upper pen barrel; the gear is located between the top cap and the main body of the upper pen barrel.

8. A gear pen according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lower pen barrel is provided with a spring seat, and one end of the elastic reset member abuts against the spring seat; the pen lead passes through the spring seat and the elastic reset member.

9. A gear pen according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes a weighted spring disposed on the outside of the pen refill, the weighted spring being located between the elastic reset member and the shoulder of the pen refill or between the spring seat and the inner wall of the lower pen barrel.

10. A gear pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic reset element is a helical spring.

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