Electronic pen and main body part for electronic pen

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic pen and a main body part for the electronic pen. The electronic pen main body is housed in the housing of the electronic pen such that at least the pen tip can protrude from one opening in the axial direction of the housing of the electronic pen, and is characterized by comprising: a first electrode having one end side in the axial direction as the pen tip; a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal supplied to at least the first electrode; a main body structure part disposed on the signal transmission circuit; and a battery which is provided in the main body structure part and which supplies a power supply voltage for at least the signal transmission circuit, the main body structure part having a structure in which the battery can be removed from the main body cylindrical part and replaced.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on September 30, 2020, with international application number PCT / JP2020 / 037051, national application number 202080070309.1, and entitled "Electronic Pen and Body Part for Electronic Pen". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic pen and a main body thereof that transmit and receive signals with a position detection sensor via electric field coupling. Background Technology

[0003] As an electrostatic capacitive electronic pen, the so-called active electrostatic capacitive electronic pen, which transmits and receives signals (interacts) through electric field coupling with the position detection sensor of the position detection device, thereby using the position detection sensor to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen, is well-regarded and widely used.

[0004] This active electrostatic capacitive electronic pen incorporates a power supply circuit for a primary battery and a secondary battery, as well as a signal transmission circuit. The core is constructed using a conductor, and the signal from the signal transmission circuit is transmitted from the conductor core to the position detection sensor via electrostatic coupling (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5687398)).

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5687398 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] Due to the recent trend towards miniaturization, there is an even greater demand for smaller mobile electronic devices. Furthermore, electronic pens are being used in conjunction with position detection sensors integrated into these smaller devices, leading to a pursuit of even thinner electronic pens.

[0010] Furthermore, recently, electronic pens have been understood as an extension of stationery, and there is a desire to modularize their internal structure so that they can be handled in the same way as ballpoint pen refills. Hereinafter, in this instruction manual, the structure in which the internal components of the electronic pen are modularized and integrated, thus forming a replaceable structure like ballpoint pen refills, will be referred to as the electronic pen body.

[0011] The electric field coupling strength between a capacitive electronic pen and a capacitive position detection sensor is weaker than that between an electromagnetically inductive electronic pen and an electromagnetically inductive electronic pen. Furthermore, when the electronic pen body is designed with a thin, replaceable core, the electric field coupling strength is even weaker. Therefore, there is a challenge to configure the electronic pen so that the capacitive position detection sensor can reliably detect the indicated position even under such conditions.

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic pen and an electronic pen body that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0013] Methods for solving problems

[0014] To address the aforementioned issues, an electronic pen body is provided, which is housed within a cylindrical casing of the electronic pen in such a manner that at least the pen tip can protrude from an opening in the axial direction of the cylindrical casing, characterized by comprising: The conductive central electrode has one end in the axial direction that forms the pen tip; and Peripheral electrodes, at least excluding the pen tip, are disposed around the central electrode and are insulated from the central electrode. When in use, when one end of the central electrode, which forms the pen tip, protrudes outward from the opening of the cylindrical housing, a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode also protrudes outward from the opening.

[0015] Additionally, an electronic pen is provided, comprising a cylindrical housing with an opening at one end in the axial direction (the side serving as the pen tip), wherein at least one electronic pen body is housed within the cylindrical housing. The electronic pen is characterized in that… The main body of the electronic pen has: The conductive central electrode has one end along its axis forming the pen tip; and Peripheral electrodes, at least excluding the pen tip, are disposed around the central electrode and are insulated from the central electrode. When in use, when one end of the central electrode, which forms the pen tip, protrudes outward from the opening of the cylindrical housing, a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode also protrudes outward from the opening.

[0016] According to the structure described above, the pen tip, which serves as the central electrode, protrudes from the opening of the pen's housing, and a portion of the peripheral electrode on the tip side also protrudes from the opening of the pen's housing. Therefore, the distance between the central and peripheral electrodes of the pen and the capacitive position detection sensor is shortened, ensuring good electric field coupling between them.

[0017] Furthermore, by using the central electrode and peripheral electrode of the electronic pen body with the above-described structure, the indicated position of the electronic pen can be reliably detected by a position detection sensor using electrostatic capacitance.

[0018] That is, for example, by receiving signals from the position detection sensor using the peripheral electrodes of the pen body and controlling the transmission of signals from the center electrode of the pen body based on these received signals, signals from the pen body can be reliably detected using the position detection sensor. Furthermore, when transmitting signals from the center electrode, by grounding the peripheral electrodes and using them as shielding electrodes, signals can be transmitted from the front end (pen tip) of the center electrode without waste. Moreover, by transmitting signals from the peripheral electrodes, these electrodes can also be used to detect the tilt angle of the pen. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the first embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the first embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the pen tip side of the first embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the first embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the electronic circuitry of the first embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of an example of the structure of the electronic circuit in the first embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of a capacitive position detection device used with the first embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 It is used for explanation Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the method for detecting the tilt angle of an electronic pen in an example position detection device.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of a second embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the electronic pen body used in the third embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of a third embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of another embodiment of the electronic pen body of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following is a reference. Figure 1 The embodiments of the electronic pen and the main body of the electronic pen of the present invention will be described below.

[0032] [First Implementation Method]

[0033] In the electronic pen of the first embodiment, there is a structure in which the main body of the electronic pen, which is configured as a pen core, is detachably housed within the cylindrical shell of the electronic pen.

[0034] In recent years, active electrostatic capacitive electronic pens have also seen the emergence of bidirectional communication electronic pens that receive signals from the position detection sensor side that detects the indicated position of the electronic pen and send signals in a format required by the received signals.

[0035] In this type of two-way communication electronic pen, the position of the receiver for receiving signals from the position detection sensor is crucial. In the case of capacitive electronic pens, the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor travels a very short distance based on the electric field that can be received through capacitive coupling. Therefore, the receiver of a two-way communication electronic pen should be positioned close to the pen tip in a way that allows for the reception of signals from the position detection sensor with high intensity.

[0036] Therefore, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, it is considered optimal to make the structure of the electronic pen body part suitable for use as the aforementioned two-way communication type electronic pen. That is, in the embodiment described below, a receiving part for signals from a position detection sensor is provided in the electronic pen body part, but this receiving part is composed of peripheral electrodes. These peripheral electrodes are composed of a cylindrical conductor that is electrically insulated from a central electrode made of a conductive material and surrounds the central electrode in a manner that covers the vicinity of the front end of the central electrode.

[0037] Furthermore, recently, it has been proposed to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen relative to the position detection sensor surface (the angle between the axial direction of the electronic pen and the position detection sensor surface, hereinafter referred to as the tilt angle of the electronic pen) using a position detection device and reflect the detected tilt angle in the thickness of the electronic pen's pointing trajectory (noteprint). In the electronic pen body of this embodiment, the aforementioned peripheral electrodes are configured to also be used for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen.

[0038] In addition, in this first embodiment, the peripheral electrodes are also configured to act as shielding electrodes relative to the center electrode for transmitting the position detection signal.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the first embodiment of the electronic pen of the present invention. The electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment has the following tapping structure: the main body of the electronic pen 3 is housed in the hollow part 2a of the cylindrical housing 2 (hereinafter referred to as the pen housing 2), and the pen tip side of the main body of the electronic pen 3 is taken out and inserted from the opening 2b side of one end side in the longitudinal direction of the pen housing 2 by means of the tapping cam mechanism 4.

[0040] Figure 1 (A) shows the state in which the main body 3 of the electronic pen is entirely housed within the hollow portion 2a of the pen casing 2. Figure 1 (B) shows the state where the tip side of the electronic pen body 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 via the tapping cam mechanism 4. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the example, the pen housing 2, which is the electronic pen 1, is made of transparent synthetic resin and its interior is transparent.

[0041] The electronic pen 1 in this embodiment is configured to be interchangeable with commercially available tapping ballpoint pens.

[0042] The pen housing 2 and the tapping cam mechanism 4 disposed within the pen housing 2 are configured with the same structure as commercially available tapping ballpoint pens, and the dimensional relationships are also the same.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the tapping cam mechanism 4 is configured as a known structure consisting of a cam body 41, a tapping rod 42, and a rotating member 43. The cam body 41 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pen housing 2. The tapping rod 42 has its end 42a protruding from the opening 2c on the side of the pen housing 2 opposite to the pen tip side, in a manner that allows for tapping by the user. The rotating member 43 has a fitting portion 43a for fitting the end of the electronic pen body 3 on the side opposite to the pen tip side.

[0044] However, the addition of a structure to the fitting portion 43a that is electrically connected to the main body 3 of the electronic pen differs from the fitting portion of the casing of a typical tap-type ballpoint pen. That is, as described later, the main body 3 of the electronic pen has a signal transmission circuit inside that generates a signal sent to the position detection sensor via the central electrode or the peripheral electrode, and a power supply voltage needs to be supplied to this signal transmission circuit.

[0045] In this embodiment, as described later, a signal transmitting circuit and a power storage element supplying power to the signal transmitting circuit are provided inside the electronic pen body 3. Furthermore, the power storage element needs to be charged from outside the electronic pen body 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, a terminal conductor (electrode) connected to the power storage element is provided at the end of the electronic pen body 3 that engages with the engaging portion 43a, and a conductor connected to the terminal conductor connected to the power storage element is formed in the engaging portion 43a. It should be noted that the structure of the joint portion with the electronic pen body 3 is only modified by adding an electrical structure; the structure for assembling a ballpoint pen refill remains unchanged. An example of the structure of the end of the electronic pen body 3 that engages with the engaging portion 43a will be described later along with an example of the structure of the engaging portion 43a.

[0046] And, as Figure 1 As shown, in this example, the outer peripheral side of the pen housing 2 opposite to the pen tip side is formed with charging electrodes 2d and 2e that are connected to the conductor provided in the fitting part 43a, which is different from the structure of the housing of a tapping ballpoint pen.

[0047] In the electronic pen 1 with the above structure, Figure 1 In state (A), if the end 42a of the tapping rod 42 is pressed, the electronic pen body 3 is locked inside the pen housing 2 via the tapping cam mechanism 4. Figure 1 In state (B), the tip side of the electronic pen body 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2. Furthermore, if from this... Figure 1 (B) When the end 42a of the striking rod 42 is pressed again, the striking cam mechanism 4 releases the locking state, and the pen body 3 returns to its original position within the pen housing 2 via the reset spring 5. Figure 1 (A) State. The detailed structure and operation of the knocking cam mechanism 4 are well known, therefore, its description is omitted here.

[0048] [Implementation of the electronic pen body 3]

[0049] Figure 2 This diagram compares the structure of the electronic pen's main body 3 with the refill of a commercially available tap-type ballpoint pen. That is, Figure 2 (A) shows the refill 6 of a commercially available tap-type ballpoint pen. Additionally... Figure 2(B) shows a structural example of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as described later, the electronic pen body 3 is configured to be interchangeable with the refill 6 of the tapping ballpoint pen as having the same structure in size.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 in this embodiment. Figure 3 (A) is a diagram showing its appearance. Figure 3 (B) is its longitudinal sectional view. Additionally, Figure 4 It is used for explanation Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the structure of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown in (A), the refill 6 of a commercially available tapping ballpoint pen has a known structure in which a pen tip 61 with a ball at the front end and a cylindrical ink reservoir 62 with a constant outer diameter are integrally joined by a cylindrical connecting part 63 with a constant outer diameter. The pen tip 61 has a cylindrical shape, and its front end side is formed into a conical shape, with its maximum outer diameter set to a diameter R1 smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2. The connecting part 63 and the ink reservoir 62 have the same outer diameter R2, which is slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter R1 of the pen tip 61, for example, set to R2 = 2.2 mm. It should be noted that the diameter R0 of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 is set to R1. <R0<R2。

[0052] On the other hand, in the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, such as Figure 2 (B) and Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), a peripheral electrode 33 made of a conductive member (e.g., conductive metal) is attached to the pen tip side of the main body cylindrical portion 31 via a cylindrical connecting member 32, thereby forming the housing 30 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 (hereinafter referred to as the main body housing 30).

[0053] In this example, such as Figure 2 As shown in (B), the main body cylindrical portion 31 is formed by joining a resin tube portion 31b to the rear end side of the metal tube portion 31a on the side opposite to the pen tip side. Furthermore, in this example, a peripheral electrode 33 is joined to the main body cylindrical portion 31 on the pen tip side of the metal tube portion 31a via a cylindrical connecting member 32. The cylindrical connecting member 32 also serves to insulate between the metal tube portion 31a and the peripheral electrode 33. Additionally, the end of the electronic pen main body portion 3 on the resin tube portion 31b side becomes a fitting portion with the fitting portion 43a inside the pen housing 2.

[0054] In this example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the peripheral electrode 33 is configured with a cylindrical portion 33a having a constant outer diameter R2 and a tapered portion 33b that tapers towards the pen tip. The metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter R2 equal to that of the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33.

[0055] The cylindrical connecting member 32 is made of an insulating material (resin in this example), as follows: Figure 3 The cylindrical body shown in (B) has an annular flange 32F formed at the midpoint of its outer peripheral surface in the axial direction, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. This annular flange 32F has a predetermined width W in the axial direction (see reference). Figure 3 ),like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), its end face is coplanar with the main cylindrical portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33 without creating a step, forming part of the main housing 30. That is, the diameter of the outer periphery of the annular flange portion 32F is selected to be equal to the outer diameter of the metal tube portion 31a of the peripheral electrode 33 and the main cylindrical portion 31.

[0056] Furthermore, the side of the cylindrical connecting member 32 closest to the axial direction, i.e., the pen tip side, is provided as a first fitting cylindrical portion 32a that fits into the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33. The outer diameter of the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical connecting member 32 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33. The cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33 is configured to press into the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical connecting member 32 and fit into the annular flange 32F for engagement.

[0057] Furthermore, the rear end of the cylindrical connecting member 32, which is closer to the annular flange portion 32F in the axial direction, is provided with a second fitting cylindrical portion 32b that fits into the metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31. The outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31. The metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31 is configured to be pressed into the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 and fitted into the annular flange portion 32F for connection.

[0058] With the metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33 inserted into and engaged with the cylindrical connecting member 32, as follows: Figure 2 (B) and Figure 1As shown in (A) and (B), a main body shell 30 is formed into a cylindrical body. At this time, as described above, the outer peripheral surface of the metal tube portion 31a of the main body cylindrical portion 31, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral electrode 33, and the end face of the annular flange portion 32F of the cylindrical connecting member 32 are coplanar. Furthermore, the metal tube portion 31a and the peripheral electrode 33 of the main body cylindrical portion 31, which are made of conductive material, are in a state where they do not contact each other and are electrically separated (insulated) from each other due to the presence of the annular flange portion 32F of the cylindrical connecting member 32.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown in (B), a hollow portion 30a exists inside the main body shell 30. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 (B) and Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), a front cap 34 made of insulating material is fitted to the tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 of the main body housing 30. The front cap 34 has an opening 34a with a diameter larger than that of the central electrode 35 on its front end side (see reference). Figure 3 (B)) The opening 34a is connected to the hollow part 30a of the main body shell 30.

[0060] The central electrode 35 constitutes the core of the electronic pen body 3 in this embodiment, and is made of a conductive component (in this example, a conductive metal). Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the central electrode 35 is inserted into the main body housing 30 through the opening 34a of the front cap 34, and the end opposite to the tip side is assembled to the core holding member 7 described later in a detachable manner.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown in (B), the core 35, made of conductive material, and the peripheral electrodes 33 are electrically separated (insulated) by the front cap 34, which is an insulating material. In the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, when the central electrode 35 is assembled, as shown... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the peripheral electrode 33 is arranged such that it surrounds the central electrode 35 at the rear end of the pen tip 35a. It should be noted that in the following description, the central electrode 35 is referred to as the core 35.

[0062] In this example, such as Figure 2 (A) and Figure 2 As shown in (B), the dimensions of the tip side of the electronic pen body 3 are configured to be approximately equal to the dimensions of the tip side of the ballpoint pen refill 6. That is, as... Figure 2 As shown in (B), the outer diameter of the main cylindrical portion 31 of the main body housing 30 and the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33 is equal to the outer diameter R2 of the ink storage portion 62 and the connecting portion 63 of the refill 6 of a commercially available tapping ballpoint pen.

[0063] Furthermore, the tapered portion 33b on the tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 of the main body housing 30 has a diameter that gradually decreases as it approaches the tip side. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 2 As shown in (B), the tip side of the cone 33b at the middle position in the axial direction is configured to have a diameter R0 or less than the diameter of the opening 2b of the tip side of the pen housing 2.

[0064] Furthermore, when the core 35 is inserted into the main body 3 of the electronic pen through the opening 34a of the front cap 34, the length from the front end of the core 35 to the position where the outer diameter of the cone 33b of the peripheral electrode 33 becomes the diameter R1 is configured to be approximately equal to the length L1 in the axial direction of the tip 61 of the refill 6 of a commercially available tapping ballpoint pen.

[0065] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown in (A) and (B), the length (total length) of the electronic pen body 3 with the core 35 assembled is selected to be equal to the total length L2 of the ballpoint pen's refill 6.

[0066] The electronic pen body 3 with the above structure can be housed inside the pen housing 2 by fitting its cylindrical body 31 into the fitting portion 43a of the rotating member 43 of the tapping cam mechanism 4. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the electronic pen 1, when used with the position detection device, the user presses the end 42a of the tapping stick 42. Thus, in the electronic pen 1, as... Figure 1 As shown in (B), the front end 35a of the core 35, a part of the front cap 34, and a part of the tip side of the cone 33b of the peripheral electrode 33 are in a state of protruding outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2.

[0067] That is, in this embodiment, the configuration is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in (B), not only the front end of the core 35 assembled in the main body 3 of the electronic pen, but also a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrodes 33 surrounding the core 35 protrudes outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. In this state, the user of the electronic pen 1 performs an input operation to indicate the position on the position detection sensor of the position detection device.

[0068] When the electronic pen 1 is finished being used, pressing the end 42a of the tapping stick 42 again will activate the function. Figure 1 As shown in (A), the entire electronic pen body 3 can be housed within the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2. At this time, the entire electronic pen body 3 is housed within the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and the front end 35a of the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 is protected by the pen housing 2.

[0069] like Figure 2 (B) and Figure 3As shown by the dashed line in (A), inside the hollow portion 30a of the main body housing 30, the core holding member 7, the pen pressure detection unit 8, the printed circuit board 9 carrying the signal transmission circuit, and the capacitor 10, which is an example of a power storage element for supplying power voltage, are arranged in a manner that is stored in the axial direction from the pen tip side.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown in (B), a substrate holder 300 is housed in the hollow portion 30a of the main body housing 30, which holds the printed substrate 9 on the substrate mounting stage portion 301.

[0071] The substrate holder 300 is made of insulating resin, and in the longitudinal direction of the axial direction of the electronic pen body 3, on the side opposite to the substrate mounting stage 301, it has a pen pressure detection unit holding part 302 for housing and holding the pen pressure detection unit 8. Figure 3 As shown in (B), the substrate holder 300 is configured such that, when housed within the hollow portion of the main body housing 30, the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 and the substrate mounting stage portion 301 are continuous along the longitudinal direction of the axial direction of the electronic pen main body portion 3. The pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 is configured as a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion that houses multiple components of the pen pressure detection unit 8 within its internal hollow portion. The substrate mounting stage portion 301 is a boat-shaped portion that holds and supports the printed circuit board 9, and is configured to be obtained by roughly cutting the cylindrical body in half along the axial direction.

[0072] The substrate holder 300 is housed within the main body housing 30 such that the pen pressure detection unit holder 302 is positioned on the pen tip side. Furthermore, the pen pressure detection unit 8, which is held in the pen pressure detection unit holder 302, is coupled with the core holding member 7, which is fitted into the core 35 to hold the core 35, and the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core 35 is transmitted to the pen pressure detection unit 8.

[0073] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 is selected to be equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 is fitted with a portion of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32, and the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 and the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 are combined to form a structure.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown in (B), the substrate holder 300 is limited to not move in the axial direction within the main body housing 30 by the pen pressure detection unit holding part 302 engaging with the second fitting cylindrical part 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 in the axial direction.

[0075] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the two ends of the capacitor 10 disposed on the side opposite to the pen pressure detection unit holding part 302 of the substrate stage portion 301 of the substrate holder 300 are electrically connected to the copper foil patterns of the power supply line and ground line of the printed circuit board 9. As a result, the voltage of the capacitor 10 is supplied as the power supply voltage to the circuit formed on the printed circuit board 9.

[0076] In this embodiment, the metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31, which is made of conductive material, is electrically connected to the copper foil pattern of the ground wire of the printed circuit board 9.

[0077] In this embodiment, a circuit section is provided on the printed circuit board 9. This circuit section consists of a signal transmitting circuit that generates signals transmitted from the core 35 and the peripheral electrodes 33, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) 100 (see reference 100) that constitutes a control circuit for controlling the transmission of signals from the signal transmitting circuit to the core 35 and the peripheral electrodes 33. Figure 3 (A) and (B) constitute the system and its surrounding circuit components. Although the figures are omitted, the peripheral circuit section includes a charging circuit for the capacitor 10. The charging circuit for the capacitor 10 may also be located externally to the electronic pen 1.

[0078] like Figure 3 (B) and Figure 4 As shown, the core retaining member 7 that holds the core 35 is composed of a conductive elastic member 71, a core retainer 72, a helical spring 73, and a conductor terminal member 74. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the core 35 is held in conjunction with the core holder 72 by fitting it into the core holder 72 made of conductive material via a conductive elastic member 71. The core holder 7 also functions as a transmission member for the pen pressure applied to the core 35 by the pen pressure detection unit 8.

[0079] Furthermore, the configuration is such that the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core 35 is transmitted to the pen pressure detection unit 8 via the core holder 72 engaging with the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8 held in the pen pressure detection unit holding unit 302. In this case, the core holder 72 is configured such that a coil spring 73, which is an example of an elastic member made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal, is provided between the core holder 72 and the substrate holder 300, and applies force to the core 35 side relative to the substrate holder 300. It should be noted that the coil spring 73, together with the conductor terminal member 74, constitutes an electrical connection member for transmitting signals from the IC 100 disposed on the printed circuit board 9 to the core 35.

[0080] Figure 4(A) is an exploded perspective view of the core 35, the conductive elastic member 71, the core holder 72, the helical spring 73, the conductor terminal member 74, and the pen pressure detection holding part 302 of the substrate holder 300.

[0081] The conductive elastic member 71 is made of conductive rubber, for example, and is formed into a cylindrical shape with a through hole 71a for fitting the end of the core 35 opposite to the front end 35a. The core 35 side of the conductive elastic member 71 has a reduced outer diameter compared to other parts and is designed as a thin-walled part, and has a slit 712 formed therein, which is designed as a holding part 711 for easy holding of the core 35.

[0082] With this configuration, the core 35 is held by the two thin-walled, arc-shaped portions of the holding portion 711, which have slit portions 712. Therefore, the core 35 can be easily inserted and fitted into the holding portion 711 of the conductive elastic member 71, and the core 35 can be easily pulled out of the conductive elastic member 71 by pulling with a specified force.

[0083] The core holder 72 is made of a conductive material (e.g., SUS (Steel Special Use Stainless)) and integrally forms a receiving and fitting portion 721 having a recess 721a for receiving and fitting a conductive elastic member 71 and a rod-shaped portion 722 that fits into the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8 (described later).

[0084] After a conductive helical spring 73 is assembled into the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72, which houses the conductive elastic member 71 as described above, the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 is fitted into the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection section 8 held in the pen pressure detection section holding section 302 of the substrate holder 300.

[0085] In this case, in the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, it is necessary to consider supplying the transmission signal generated by the circuit formed on the printed circuit board 9 to the core 35. However, the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8 housed in the pen pressure detection unit holding unit 302 of the substrate holder 300 is made of resin, which is an insulating material, so it is impossible to make an electrical connection between the core holder 72 and the holding member 83.

[0086] Therefore, in this embodiment, an electrical connection component is constructed using a helical spring 73 made of conductive material disposed between the core holder 72 and the pen pressure detection part holding part 302 of the substrate holder 300, and a conductor terminal member 74 disposed in the pen pressure detection part holding part 302 of the substrate holder 300. This electrical connection component is used to realize the electrical connection for signal supply from the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 9.

[0087] That is, in this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown in (A), a conductor terminal member 74 made of a conductive material (e.g., SUS) is assembled in the pen pressure detection section holding section 302 of the substrate holder 300 in such a way that it covers the side of the opening 302a into which the rod-shaped section 722 of the core holder 72 is inserted.

[0088] like Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), the conductor terminal member 74 has an opening 302a side covering the pen pressure detection part holding part 302 of the substrate holder 300 and an abutting plate part 741 having a through hole 741a through which the rod-shaped part 722 of the core holder 72 is inserted.

[0089] Additionally, an extension 742 is provided that extends across the portion of the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 and into the portion of the substrate mounting stage 301. Furthermore, when the conductor terminal member 74 is mounted on the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the terminal portion 742a at the front end of the extension 742 extending from the conductor terminal member 74 abuts against the conductor on the back side of the printed substrate 9 placed on the substrate mounting stage 301 of the substrate holder 300, for example by soldering. Thus, the conductor terminal member 74 and the signal transmission circuit provided on the printed substrate 9 are electrically connected.

[0090] The rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72, in which the conductive elastic member 71 is fitted, is inserted into the hollow portion of the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 through the through hole 741a of the abutment plate portion 741 of the conductor terminal member 74, so that the coil spring 73 is in an intermediate state, and is fitted into the pen pressure detection holding portion 302. The inner diameter of the coil spring 73 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72.

[0091] Therefore, the helical spring 73 is in elastic contact with the core holder 72, and also in elastic contact with the abutment plate portion 741 of the conductor terminal member 74. Since the helical spring 73 is made of a conductive material, and the conductive elastic member 71 and the core holder 72 are conductive, the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core holder 72 is electrically connected to the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 9 via the helical spring 73 and the conductor terminal member 74.

[0092] Furthermore, the core 35 is inserted and fitted into the through hole 71a of the conductive elastic member 71 of the core holder 72 housed within the main body housing 30, as described above, and is held relative to the core holder 72 via the conductive elastic member 71. In this state, the core 35 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 9, and a signal from the signal transmission circuit is supplied to the core 35.

[0093] Next, the structure of the pen pressure detection unit holding part 302 and the pen pressure detection unit 8 of the substrate holder 300, as well as the fitting of the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8 with the core holder 72, will be described.

[0094] By housing the pen pressure detection unit 8 in the pen pressure detection unit holding unit 302, as Figure 3 (B) shows a pen pressure detection module. The pen pressure detection module is coupled to the core 35 via the core holder 72, and the pen pressure applied to the front end 35a of the core 35 is detected by the pen pressure detection unit 8 of the pen pressure detection module. In this case, the pen pressure detection module detects pen pressure by moving a portion of the components of its pen pressure detection unit 8 in the axial direction together with the core 35 and the core holder 72 according to the pen pressure applied to the front end 35a of the core 35.

[0095] In this example, the pen pressure detection unit 8 uses a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes according to the pen pressure applied to the core 35, such as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), it is composed of multiple components including dielectric 81, terminal member 82, retaining member 83, conductive member 84 and elastic member 85.

[0096] With the core holder 72 fitted into the pen pressure detection section holding section 302 of the substrate holder 300 as described above, the core 35 is pressed into the through hole 71a of the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core holder 72. Thus, as described above, the core 35 is securely held relative to the core holder 72 by the conductive elastic member 71. It should be noted that the core 35 can be pulled out from its fitted and held state in the core holder 72 towards the forward end 35a, and as described above, it can be replaced.

[0097] In the main body 3 of the electronic pen, if pressure is applied to the front end 35a of the core 35, the core 35 will displace towards the rear end in the axial direction according to the pressure. This displacement causes the retaining member 83 within the pen pressure detection holding part 302 to displace towards the dielectric 81 against the elastic bias force of the elastic member 85. As a result, the conductive member 84 fitted into the retaining member 83 displaces towards the dielectric 81, and the distance between the conductive member 84 and the dielectric 81, as well as the contact area between the conductive member 84 and the dielectric 81, changes according to the pressure applied to the core 35.

[0098] Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance of the variable-capacitance capacitor formed between the terminal member 82 constituting the first electrode and the conductive member 84 constituting the second electrode changes according to the pressure applied to the core 35. The change in electrostatic capacitance of this variable-capacitance capacitor is detected by the IC100 provided on the printed circuit board 9 to detect the pen pressure.

[0099] It should be noted that the pen pressure detection unit 8 is not limited to the structure described above. For example, a pen pressure detection unit that uses a variable capacitance capacitor and a semiconductor chip made of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) components can also be used (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-161307).

[0100] Next, the electrical connection between the peripheral electrode 33 and the circuit section of the printed circuit board 9 will be described. On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical connecting member 32, a groove (not shown) is formed from the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a through the lower part of the annular flange portion 32F to the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b in a direction along the axial direction of the cylindrical connecting member 32.

[0101] Furthermore, a groove (not shown) is also formed on the outer peripheral side of the pen pressure detection holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300, which is continuous with the groove of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b. For example... Figure 3 As shown in (B), a connecting terminal conductor 11 made of a conductive material (in this example, a conductive metal) is disposed within the continuous groove. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the end 11a of the connecting terminal conductor 11 disposed in the groove on the side of the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical connecting member 32 is disposed such that at least a portion of it bulges slightly beyond the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a. However, the depth of the groove in the portion of the end 11a is configured such that the end 11a can be elastically pressed downward when the end 11a is pressed down from above.

[0102] Thus, the configuration is such that when the peripheral electrode 33 is fitted into the first fitted cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical connecting member 32, the end 11a of the connecting terminal conductor 11 and the inner wall of the peripheral electrode 33 reliably contact each other, resulting in a state where the peripheral electrode 33 and the connecting terminal conductor 11 are electrically connected. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the end 11b of the connecting terminal conductor 11 extending toward the printed circuit board 9 is electrically connected to the back side 9b side of the printed circuit board 9. Although not shown in the figure, the end 11b of the connecting terminal conductor 11 is electrically connected to the circuit portion on the surface side of the printed circuit board 9 via a through-hole.

[0103] It should be noted that the depth of the groove for the connecting terminal conductor 11 is set such that the connecting terminal conductor 11 and the metal tube portion 31a do not contact each other when the metal tube portion 31a of the main cylindrical portion 31 is fitted into the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b. Alternatively, the insulating material may be positioned between the connecting terminal conductor 11 and the metal tube portion 31a.

[0104] Next, refer to Figure 2 (C) An example of the structure of the rear end of the electronic pen body 3 on the side opposite to the pen tip side and the fitting part 43a of the main body housing 30 will be described. In this example, the side of the main body cylindrical part 31 of the main body housing 30 that fits into the fitting part 43a of the rotating member 43 of the striking cam mechanism part 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is composed of a resin tube part 31b, and a pair of terminal conductors connected to the two ends of the capacitor 10 are provided in the resin tube part 31b. Furthermore, a corresponding pair of conductors is formed in the fitting part 43a of the rotating member 43 of the striking cam mechanism part 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, and the pair of conductors are electrically connected to the charging electrodes 2d and 2e provided on the outer peripheral side of the pen housing 2 on the side opposite to the pen tip side in this example.

[0105] Figure 2 (C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the resin tube portion 31b of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3 and the fitting portion 43a of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the main body housing 30.

[0106] like Figure 2 As shown in (C), the fitting portion 43a has a cylindrical recess 431 for fitting the resin tube portion 31b, and a central rod-shaped portion 432 for inserting into the hollow portion of the resin tube portion 31b is provided at the center of the cylindrical recess 431. In this example, the diameter of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the resin tube portion 31b, configured such that when the resin tube portion 31b is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, the outer peripheral side surface of the resin tube portion 31b contacts the inner wall surface of the cylindrical recess of the fitting portion 43a. Furthermore, it is configured such that when the resin tube portion 31b is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, the inner peripheral side surface of the resin tube portion 31b contacts the outer peripheral side surface of the central rod-shaped portion 432 of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a.

[0107] And, as Figure 2 As shown in (C), a terminal conductor 12, electrically connected to one electrode terminal 10a of the capacitor 10 housed in the main cylindrical portion 31, is adhered to and formed on the outer peripheral side of the resin tube portion 31b of the main cylindrical portion 31. Additionally, a terminal conductor 13, electrically connected to the other electrode terminal 10b of the capacitor 10, is adhered to and formed on the inner wall surface of the resin tube portion 31b of the main cylindrical portion 31. The terminal conductors 12 and 13 are configured to be electrically disconnected.

[0108] On the other hand, a conductor 14, which is connected to the charging electrode 2d formed on the pen housing 2, is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a. Additionally, a conductor 15, which is connected to the charging electrode 2d formed on the pen housing 2, is formed on the outer periphery of the central rod-shaped portion 432 of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a. The conductors 14 and 15 are configured to be electrically non-connected.

[0109] In this case, in this example, terminal conductors 12 and 13 are formed on the entire circumference of the outer peripheral side and the entire circumference of the inner wall. Additionally, conductors 14 and 15 of the fitting portion 43a are also formed on the entire circumference of the inner wall of the cylindrical recess 431 and the entire circumference of the outer peripheral side of the central rod-shaped portion 432. Therefore, when the end of the resin tube portion 31b of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen body portion 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, regardless of the rotation angle at which they are fitted together, the terminal conductors 12 and 13 of the electronic pen body portion 3 are electrically connected to the conductors 14 and 15 of the fitting portion 43a. It should be noted that conductors 12, 13, 14, and 15 do not necessarily have to be formed throughout the entire circumference. As long as "regardless of the rotation angle position of their interlocking, the terminal conductors 12 and 13 of the electronic pen body 3 are electrically connected to the conductors 14 and 15 of the interlocking part 43a", then there may be a conductor deficiency in a part of the circumference.

[0110] With the above structure, when the main body 3 of the electronic pen is engaged with the rotating part 43a of the tapping cam mechanism 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, the two ends of the capacitor 10 housed in the main body 3 are connected to the charging electrodes 2d and 2e of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. Therefore, when no power supply voltage is stored in the capacitor 10, the capacitor 10 is charged through the charging electrodes 2d and 2e to store a sufficient power supply voltage.

[0111] [Example of the electronic circuit structure of the main body 3 of the electronic pen]

[0112] Next, the electrical structure of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 5 As shown in the example. Figure 5 As shown, the control circuit 101 is composed of an IC 100 mounted on the printed circuit board 9. A signal transmitting circuit 102 and a signal receiving circuit 103 are connected to the control circuit 101, and a variable capacitance capacitor 8C, which is composed of a pen pressure detection unit 8, is connected to it. A resistor 8R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitance capacitor 8C.

[0113] Furthermore, the signal output terminal of the signal transmitting circuit 102 is connected to the core 35 via the switching circuit 104. In this case, as described above, there is a conductor terminal member 74, a core holder 72, and a conductive elastic member 71 between the core 35 and the switching circuit 104.

[0114] In this example, the signal output terminal of the signal transmitting circuit 102 is connected to terminal S of the switching circuit 105. The movable terminal M of the switching circuit 105 is connected to the peripheral electrode 33. In this case, there is a connection terminal conductor 11 between the peripheral electrode 33 and the switching circuit 105.

[0115] Terminal R of the switching circuit 105 is connected to the input terminal of the signal receiving circuit 103. Additionally, terminal G of the switching circuit 105 is connected to the ground electrode (earth electrode).

[0116] Furthermore, the control circuit 101 supplies a control signal SW1 to the switch circuit 104 to control the switching circuit 104 to be turned on and off. In addition, the control circuit 101 supplies a switching control signal SW2 to the switching circuit 105 to switch which of the movable terminal M is connected to the terminal S, terminal R, or terminal G.

[0117] It should be noted that, although the diagram is omitted, the voltage of capacitor 10 serves as the power supply voltage for control circuit 101, signal transmitting circuit 102, signal receiving circuit 103, switching circuit 104, and switching circuit 105.

[0118] The signal receiving circuit 103 uses the peripheral electrode 33 to receive the signal received via electrostatic capacitive coupling (electric field coupling) with the position detection sensor of the position detection device, performs demodulation and other processing corresponding to the received signal, and sends the processed signal to the control circuit 101.

[0119] The control circuit 101 analyzes the signal from the signal receiving circuit 103, determines the specifications of the other party's position detection device, and determines the timing for signal interaction with the position detection sensor of the other party's position detection device. Furthermore, the control circuit 101 controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmitting circuit 102 to be consistent with the specifications of the other party's position detection device, and performs interaction with the position detection sensor at the determined timing.

[0120] The signal transmitting circuit 102 basically outputs a position detection signal (burst signal) of a predetermined frequency used for position detection in the position detection device and a signal containing pen pressure information corresponding to the pen pressure detected by the pen pressure detection unit 8, under the control of the control circuit 101. In addition, the signal transmitting circuit 102 also outputs a signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1. That is, under the control of the control circuit 101, the signal transmitting circuit 102 sends out a burst signal for both position detection and tilt angle detection of the electronic pen 1.

[0121] Furthermore, during the period when the control circuit 101 sends out a burst signal for position detection from the signal transmission circuit 102, it performs an operation to detect pen pressure based on the static capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 8C composed of the pen pressure detection unit 8.

[0122] In this example, the control circuit 101 first charges the variable capacitance capacitor 8C to a fully charged state. Then, by stopping the charging, the variable capacitance capacitor 8C is discharged through the resistor 8R. The time from the start of the discharge until the voltage across the variable capacitance capacitor 8C reaches a predetermined voltage is measured, and the static capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 8C at this time is detected. The static capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 8C corresponds to the pen pressure applied to the core 35 at this time; therefore, the pen pressure is detected based on the detected static capacitance.

[0123] Then, the control circuit 101 converts the detected pen pressure into a multi-bit digital signal in this example, and controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to output the pen pressure information corresponding to the digital signal from the signal transmission circuit 102.

[0124] In this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown in (A), in a stable state, the control circuit 101 sets the electronic pen body 3 to a signal receiving mode to receive signals from the position detection sensor of the position detection device. Furthermore, after confirming the reception of the signal from the position detection device and performing the aforementioned processing in this signal receiving mode, it switches to a signal sending mode to send signals to the position detection device.

[0125] In this embodiment, in signal receiving mode, the control signal SW1 (refer to...) from the control circuit 101... Figure 6 (C)), the switching circuit 104 is disconnected, and the switching circuit 105 is controlled by the switching control signal SW2 to connect the movable terminal M and the terminal R (see reference). Figure 6 (D)).

[0126] Therefore, in this signal receiving mode, the signal received from the position detection device by the peripheral electrode 33 is supplied to the signal receiving circuit 103 via the switching circuit 105 for demodulation, and the demodulated received signal is supplied to the control circuit 101. In the control circuit 101, as described above, the received signal from the position detection device is analyzed, and as previously mentioned, the specifications of the other party's position detection device are determined.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the received signal from the position detection device includes timing information indicating when the electronic pen body 3 begins signal transmission. Based on this timing information, the control circuit 101 performs timing processing such as determining the timing for switching from the signal receiving mode to the signal transmission mode and determining the timing of time segmentation processing when the signal transmission mode is activated. Afterward, the control circuit 101 switches the electronic pen body 3 from the signal receiving mode to the signal transmission mode.

[0128] In this embodiment, in this signal transmission mode, such as Figure 6 As shown in (B), the position detection period Ta, which sends the burst signal for position detection and the pen pressure detection information to the position detection device side, and the tilt detection period Tb, which detects the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1, are executed by time division.

[0129] During position detection, Ta is controlled by signal SW1 (reference). Figure 6 (C)), the switch circuit 104 is turned on. Additionally, the switching circuit 105 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal G via the switching control signal SW2 (see reference). Figure 6 (D) Therefore, during position detection period Ta, the peripheral electrode 33 is connected to the ground electrode via the switching circuit 105. Furthermore, during position detection period Ta, the control circuit 101 controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to output a burst signal for position detection and pen pressure information. The position detection signal and pen pressure information output from the signal transmission circuit 102 are supplied to the core 35 via the switching circuit 104 and sent to the position detection sensor. In this case, the control circuit 101 controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to send the pen pressure information from the core 35 after the burst signal transmission period ends.

[0130] At this time, since the peripheral electrode 33 is connected to the ground electrode, the core 35 is shielded except for its tip 35a, which becomes the pen tip. Therefore, the signal from the signal transmission circuit 102 is not affected by external factors and is transmitted from the tip 35a of the core 35.

[0131] Next, during the tilt detection period Tb, the control signal SW1 (refer to...) Figure 6(C)), the switch circuit 104 is disconnected. Additionally, the switching circuit 105 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal S via the switching control signal SW2 (see reference). Figure 6 (D)). Furthermore, during the tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 101 controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to generate a burst signal for tilt detection in a manner that allows the signal to be transmitted. In this example, the burst signal for tilt detection is set to a signal with the same frequency as the burst signal for position detection.

[0132] Therefore, during the tilt detection period Tb, a burst signal for tilt detection from the signal transmission circuit 102 is supplied to the peripheral electrode 33 via the switching circuit 105 and sent to the position detection sensor. In the position detection device that receives the burst signal for tilt detection via the position detection sensor, the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 is detected, as described later.

[0133] [Example of circuit structure for a position detection device]

[0134] Next, the circuit structure of the position detection device and the position detection sensor will be described as an example. Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the signal receiving and processing circuit of the electrostatic capacitive position detection device 200 from the electronic pen 1.

[0135] like Figure 7 As shown, the position detection device 200 in this example consists of a position detection sensor 210 and a pen detection circuit 220 connected to the position detection sensor 210. In this example, the position detection sensor 210 consists of a plurality of first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, ..., 211Y1 extending in the lateral (X-axis direction). m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 1) A first group of conductors arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction with a specified interval between them, and a plurality of second conductors 212X1, 212X2, ..., 212X that will extend in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) constitutes a second group of conductors arranged side by side in the X-axis direction with a specified interval between them.

[0136] It should be noted that, in the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the multiple first conductors of the first conductor group and the multiple second conductors of the second conductor group, they are referred to as the first conductor 211Y and the second conductor 212X.

[0137] The pen detection circuit 220 consists of a selection circuit 221 configured as an input / output interface with the position detection sensor 210, an amplifier circuit 222, a bandpass filter 223, a detector circuit 224, a sample and hold circuit 225, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion circuit 226, and a control circuit 227.

[0138] Selection circuit 221 selects one conductor 211Y or 212X from the first conductor group and the second conductor group based on the control signal from control circuit 227. The conductor selected by selection circuit 221 is connected to amplifier circuit 222, and the signal from electronic pen 1 (electronic pen body 3) is detected by the selected conductor and amplified by amplifier circuit 222. The output of amplifier circuit 222 is supplied to bandpass filter 223, where only the frequency components of the signal sent from electronic pen 1 are extracted.

[0139] The output signal of the bandpass filter 223 is detected by the detection circuit 224, and its output signal is supplied to the sample-and-hold circuit 225. After being sampled and held by the sampling signal from the control circuit 227, it is converted into a digital value by the AD conversion circuit 226. The digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is read and processed by the control circuit 227.

[0140] The control circuit 227 sends control signals to the sample-and-hold circuit 225, the AD conversion circuit 226, and the selection circuit 221 respectively. It also calculates the position coordinates on the position detection sensor 210 indicated by the electronic pen 1 and detects pen pressure information based on the digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226.

[0141] Furthermore, the control circuit 227 detects the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 as described below. For the method of detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 in this position detection device 200, please refer to... Figure 8 To illustrate.

[0142] In such Figure 8 As shown in the schematic diagram (A), when the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 is perpendicular to the input surface of the position detection sensor 210, during the position detection period Ta, electrostatic coupling occurs between the front end 35a of the core 35 and the position detection sensor 210. The area of ​​this electrostatic coupling OBa is as follows: Figure 8 (B) shows a region that forms a perfect circle. On the other hand, during the tilt detection period Tb, electrostatic coupling occurs between the peripheral electrode 33 and the position detection sensor 210, and the region of this electrostatic coupling OBb is as shown... Figure 8 As shown in (C), it forms a ring-shaped region.

[0143] In addition, in such Figure 8 As shown in the schematic diagram (D), when the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 is tilted relative to the input surface of the position detection sensor 210, during position detection, the region OBa of electrostatic coupling between the front end 35a of the core 35 and the position detection sensor 210 in Ta is as follows: Figure 8As shown in (E), the region remains approximately circular. On the other hand, during tilt detection, the region OBb in Tb where electrostatic coupling occurs between the peripheral electrode 33 and the position detection sensor 210 is as shown... Figure 8 As shown in (F), the region becomes an elliptical shape that extends long in the direction of inclination according to the tilt angle.

[0144] Therefore, in the control circuit 227 of the position detection device 200, it is possible to determine the position based on the position detection device 200. Figure 8 The tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 is detected by measuring the length of the major circle of the elliptical shape of region OBb shown in (F). Additionally, the tilt angle is detected by measuring the length of the major circle of the elliptical shape of region OBb. Figure 8 (E) The direction of the long circle of the elliptical shape of the region OBb, where the pointer position of the electronic pen 1 is the starting point, can detect the tilt direction of the electronic pen 1.

[0145] It should be noted that in the above example, for the peripheral electrode 33, which is used to detect the tilt angle, a signal with the same frequency as the signal supplied to the core 35 is used. However, the frequency of the signal supplied to the core 35 and the frequency of the signal supplied to the peripheral electrode 33 can also be different. In this case, the position detection device 200 can distinguish between the signal from the core 35 and the signal from the peripheral electrode 33. Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1, instead of performing the position detection period Ta and the tilt detection period Tb by time division as described above, it can be configured to send the signal from the core 35 and the signal from the peripheral electrode 33 to the position detection sensor 210 simultaneously.

[0146] [Effects of the First Embodiment]

[0147] In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, when the electronic pen 1 is used, with the tip side of the electronic pen body 3 protruding outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2, not only the front end 35a of the core 35, but also a part of the cone 33b of the tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 protrudes out from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2.

[0148] Therefore, in the electronic pen 1 according to this first embodiment, not only the front end 35a of the core 35, but also the distance between the cone 33b of the peripheral electrode 33 on the pen tip side and the input surface of the position detection sensor 210 is shortened, and the electrostatic capacitive coupling (electric field coupling) between the two is strengthened. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 is set as a cone 33b, the cross-sectional area of ​​its front end on the pen tip side is reduced, resulting in stronger electric field coupling with the position detection sensor 210.

[0149] Therefore, even when the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment is made smaller, it can still be strongly electrically coupled to the position detection sensor 210, and the position detection device 200 can detect the indicated position of the electronic pen 1 with high sensitivity. Furthermore, in the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment, the peripheral electrode 33 receives signals from the position detection device 200, and the electronic pen body 3 begins to transmit signals at a timing indicated by the received signal. Thus, the position detection device can simultaneously predict the transmission of signals from the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 and wait to receive signals from the electronic pen body 3, achieving good operation even with electric field coupling where the coupling strength is weaker than that of electromagnetic induction.

[0150] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the electronic pen body 3 is designed to be interchangeable with the refills of commercially available ballpoint pens. Therefore, it is possible to use a commercially available ballpoint pen refill by replacing the electronic pen body 3 with the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1.

[0151] [Second Implementation]

[0152] The electronic pen of this second embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, only one electronic pen body 3 is housed within the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. In this second embodiment, multiple electronic pen bodies are housed within the pen housing of the electronic pen, and a tapping mechanism is used to select one of the multiple electronic pen bodies, causing the tip of the selected electronic pen body to protrude from an opening on the tip side of the housing for use.

[0153] As described above, the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment has a structure interchangeable with the refill 6 of a ballpoint pen. Commercially available ballpoint pens include multi-color ballpoint pens equipped with refills of different ink colors. This second embodiment provides an electronic pen constructed by housing the electronic pen body 3 within a housing with the same structure as the housing of the multi-color ballpoint pen.

[0154] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram showing the appearance of the electronic pen 1M according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 An example is also shown as the electronic pen 1M, whose pen housing 2M is made of transparent synthetic resin, allowing its interior to be seen through.

[0155] The pen housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M has a structure that is substantially the same as the housing and tapping mechanism of a commercially available tap-type multicolor ballpoint pen. However, similar to the pen housing 2 and tapping cam mechanism 4 of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment, the structure in which charging electrodes 2Md and 2Me are provided in the pen housing 2M, and the structure of the fitting part of the tapping mechanism that fits into the main body 3, differs from the housing and tapping mechanism of a commercially available tap-type multicolor ballpoint pen. It should be noted that in Figure 9 In the example, three electronic pen bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are housed inside the pen casing 2M.

[0156] The electronic pen bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are identical in shape to the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, except that they are the same size as the refills of a multi-color ballpoint pen. However, in the electronic pen bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E of this second embodiment, in addition to the aforementioned signal transmission circuit, an IC and its peripheral circuits for transmitting the pen's own identification information to a position detection device are also provided within the main body housing 30, which houses the electronic circuit components. The other structures of the electronic pen bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are the same as those of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0157] Furthermore, the electronic pen 1M has a tapping mechanism with tapping rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E that fit into the electronic pen body parts 3BK, 3R, and 3E respectively. The fitting parts of the tapping rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E are configured with the same structure as the fitting part 43a of the tapping cam mechanism part 4 in the first embodiment.

[0158] By sliding any one of the tapping rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E toward the pen tip, the front end 35a of the core 35 of any one of the electronic pen body parts 3BK, 3R, and 3E and a portion of the peripheral electrode 33 protrude and couple with the electric field of the position detection sensor of the position detection device.

[0159] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position detection device used with the electronic pen main units 3BK, 3R, and 3E has the function of receiving and identifying the identification information sent from each of the electronic pen main units 3BK, 3R, and 3E. That is, in this embodiment, the position detection device identifies the differences between the electronic pen main units 3BK, 3R, and 3E and performs the function of allocating positions to each of the electronic pen main units 3BK, 3R, and 3E.

[0160] In this example, the electronic pen body 3BK is configured to display the note trace (text, graphics) shown according to its indicated position in black, the electronic pen body 3R is configured to display the note trace shown according to its indicated position in red, and the electronic pen body 3E is configured to erase the previously indicated note trace according to its indicated position.

[0161] The position detection device identifies the recognition information contained in the signals transmitted from the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E. Furthermore, the position detection device adds information such as the color of the note trace corresponding to the recognition information and erasure information to the coordinate information of the detected position indicated by the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E, and provides this information to a personal computer or similar device with a display screen. It should be noted that the functions assigned to the electronic pen main bodies are not limited to the display color of the trace corresponding to the indicated position, as in this example, but can also include the thickness of the trace, the type of line displayed (solid line, dashed line, single-dot / dash line, etc.).

[0162] It should be noted that, in the case of the electronic pen 1M in the second embodiment, since multiple electronic pen main bodies 3 are housed within the pen housing 2M, the axial direction of each electronic pen main body 3 deviates from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M. Therefore, when the pen tip of one of the multiple electronic pen main bodies 3 is released and protrudes from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M using the tapping mechanism, the pushed-out electronic pen main body 3 bends slightly relative to the fitting portion of the pen housing 2M.

[0163] However, since the main cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3 in this embodiment has a resin tube portion 31b, the elasticity of the resin tube portion 31b can accommodate the bending of the electronic pen body 3 when the front end of the electronic pen body 3 is extended. Regarding the axial length of the resin tube portion 31b, in the case of the housing mechanism of a multi-color ballpoint pen like this second embodiment, it is best to adjust it to a length that can effectively absorb the bending of the front end of the electronic pen body 3 when extended through the resin tube portion 31b.

[0164] It should be noted that in this second embodiment, all the fitting parts of the three tapping rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E are designed to have a conductive structure that allows the electronic pen main body 3 to fit together. However, at least one of the multiple tapping rods can be used as the electronic pen main body 3 and its fitting part can be designed to have a conductive structure, while the others can be designed as a replacement core for a ballpoint pen that does not have a conductive structure.

[0165] In addition, the second embodiment is an example with 3 tapping rods, but there can also be 2 tapping rods or more than 4 tapping rods.

[0166] [Third Implementation Method]

[0167] The electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment differs from the electronic pen body 3B of the first and second embodiments in that the structure of the portion that fits into the pen housing of the electronic pen is different, but the rest is the same. Therefore, the structure of the fitting portion provided in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B for fitting into the electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment is also different from that of the first and second embodiments.

[0168] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the electronic pen body 3B of the third embodiment. Figure 10 (A) is the first example of the electronic pen body 3B of this embodiment. Additionally... Figure 10 (C) shows a second example of the electronic pen body 3B of this embodiment. Here, in the first and second examples, only the structure of the part that fits into the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment differs; the other parts have substantially the same structure. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments of the electronic pen body 3, and detailed descriptions of these parts are omitted.

[0169] in addition, Figure 11 (A) Shows a structural example of an electronic pen 1B according to the third embodiment, equipped with the electronic pen body 3B of the third embodiment. Figure 11 (A) is a diagram showing the state in which the tip side of the electronic pen body 3B protrudes from the opening of the pen housing 2B in the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment, and is related to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above. Figure 1 (B) shows the diagram corresponding to the structure.

[0170] In the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B in this third embodiment, as follows Figure 11 As shown, the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is different from the one in which "a fitting part 43ap is provided for fitting the main body 3B of the electronic pen in the third embodiment, and a side switch 2S is provided on the side of the pen housing 2B, and a conductor strip 2f is provided at the position where the user holds it during use"; otherwise, they are the same. The side switch 2S is a button switch or a slide switch, which is well known in electronic pens, so a detailed example of its structure is omitted here.

[0171] In the electronic pen 1B of this third embodiment, the operation information of the side switch 2S is transmitted to the electronic pen body 3B through the fitting part 43ap. In addition to the position detection signal and pen pressure information, the electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment also sends the operation information of the side switch 2S to the position detection device. The position detection device has a function corresponding to the operation information of the side switch 2S, and performs processing corresponding to the set function based on the operation information of the side switch 2S received from the electronic pen body 3B.

[0172] Furthermore, the conductor strip 2f is a cylindrical body made of a conductive material such as conductive rubber, and is provided to cover a portion of the outer periphery in the axial direction of the pen housing 2. In this third embodiment, it is configured to be connected to the grounding electrode of the electronic pen body 3B via the fitting part 43ap. When the user holds the conductor strip 2f during use, the conductor strip 2f and the grounding electrode of the electronic pen body 3B connected thereto (the metal tube part 31a of the main body cylindrical part 31 is also connected) are connected to the ground (grounded) by the user's body.

[0173] In the electronic pen body 3B of this embodiment, also as... Figure 10 As shown in (A) and (C), a front cap 34 is fitted onto the tip side of the main body shell 30 of the electronic pen main body 3B, which is formed by connecting the peripheral electrode 33 to the tip side of the main body cylindrical portion 31 via a cylindrical connecting member 32. The core 35 is inserted and fitted through the opening of the front cap 34. In the hollow portion of the main body shell 30, similar to the electronic pen main body 3 of the first and second embodiments described above, the core holding member 7, the pen pressure detection unit 8, the printed circuit board 9 carrying the signal transmission circuit, and the capacitor 10, which is an example of a power storage element for power supply, are arranged and housed in the axial direction.

[0174] In the electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment, the main body cylindrical part 31 is also formed by combining a metal tube part 31a and a resin tube part 31b. Furthermore, a connector (in this example, a connector plug 50) is provided at the rear end of the resin tube part 31b to engage with the fitting part 43ap provided in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B.

[0175] The connector plug 50 is electrically connected to the capacitor 10 housed in the electronic pen body 3B and the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 9, and has a plurality of mutually insulated terminal portions (in this example, five terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a).

[0176] exist Figure 10In the first example of the electronic pen body 3B (A), the five terminals 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 are configured as follows: That is, in this example, terminal 51a is made of conductive metal forming the central core. Furthermore, in... Figure 10 In example (A), the connector plug 50 is constructed by concentrically assembling the rod-shaped conductor metal of the terminal portion 51a with cylindrical terminal portions 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a, each having an insulating layer formed on its inner wall surface.

[0177] In this case, the terminal portion 51a of the conductor metal constituting the central core is positioned as the front end in the axial direction, with its annular circumferential surface and front end exposed by a predetermined length in the axial direction. Furthermore, the annular circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical terminal portions 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a are each exposed by a predetermined length in the axial direction. That is, the five terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 become annular conductor contact portions exposed at different positions in the axial direction. It should be noted that the terminal portion 51a is cylindrical, but its annular circumferential surface and front end constitute conductor contact portions.

[0178] If the connector plug 50 is inserted into the mating recess of the connector socket 90 formed by the mating portion 43ap of the rotating member 43 disposed in the hollow of the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B, then as Figure 10 As shown in (B), the device is in a state where it is elastically connected to each of the five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 provided in the connector socket 90. Each of the five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 is made of a flexible metal with free conductivity, and is electrically connected to the charging electrodes 2d and 2e, the side switch 2S, and the conductor strip 2f provided in the pen housing 2B (see reference). Figure 11 (B)).

[0179] Therefore, by inserting the connector plug 50 into the connector socket 90 and engaging it, the electronic circuit components inside the electronic pen body 3B and the electronic circuit components disposed in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B are electrically connected. Figure 11 (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electronic circuit component disposed in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B, which is electrically connected to the electronic circuit components inside the electronic pen body 3B by inserting and engaging the connector plug 50 into the connector socket 90.

[0180] In Figure 11 In example (B), the terminals 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 are respectively connected to the five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 (in) provided in the connector socket 90. Figure 11(In (B), the diagram of the contact terminals of the connector socket 90 is omitted) and is electrically connected to the charging electrodes 2e, 2d, the two ends 2Sa and 2Sb of the side switch 2S, and the conductor strip 2f.

[0181] At this time, since the annular conductor contacts of the terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 are connected to the contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 of the connector socket 90, the electrical connection is always maintained even if the electronic pen body 3B rotates around the center line in the axial direction, thus avoiding electrical non-contact.

[0182] exist Figure 10 In the second example of the electronic pen body 3B in (C), the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b of the connector plug 50 are configured as follows. The connector plug 50 in this example has the same structure as an audio pin plug (e.g., a 5-pin plug with noise reduction function). In this example, the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b are arranged in a state where annular conductor contacts of the same diameter are exposed at different positions in the axial direction.

[0183] That is, the front terminal 51b of the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b is set as a pointed terminal, the three middle terminal portions 52b, 53b, and 54b are set as ring terminals that are insulated from other terminal portions by insulating rings 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d respectively, and the terminal portion 55b on the root side of the electronic pen body portion 3B is set as a sleeve terminal.

[0184] With that Figure 10 (C) The connector socket 90, which is connected to the connector plug 50 of the electronic pen body 3B, also has a connector socket 90 that is compatible with... Figure 10 (B) Similarly, five contact terminals are formed by contacting the annular conductor contacts of the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b respectively to constitute an electrical connection. Therefore, in this... Figure 10 In the second example shown in (C), when the connector plug 50 and connector socket 90 of the electronic pen body 3B are combined, it is the same as in the first example.

[0185] It should be noted that in the above example, the connector plug is provided at the rear end of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3B on the side opposite to the pen tip side, and the connector socket is provided at the fitting portion 43ap of the pen housing 2B. However, it is also possible to provide a connector socket at the rear end of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3B on the side opposite to the pen tip side, and a connector plug at the fitting portion 43ap of the pen housing 2B.

[0186] It should be noted that the connector structure in this third embodiment can also be applied to the multi-color ballpoint pen case of the second embodiment. In this case, the side switch can be provided corresponding to each of the multiple electronic pen main bodies that are fitted into the multiple fitting parts of the pen housing, or it can be provided as one that is shared by multiple electronic pen main bodies. In the case where one of the multiple fitting parts of the pen housing is used for an electronic pen main body and the others are used for ballpoint pen refills, it is of course sufficient to provide one side switch for that one electronic pen main body.

[0187] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0188] exist Figure 12 Other embodiments of the electronic pen body are shown in the figure. Figure 12 (A) shows a modified example of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment described above. This example, like the first embodiment, is configured to be interchangeable with the refill 6 of a ballpoint pen. Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same structural parts as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0189] In the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment, a peripheral electrode 33C with a shape different from the peripheral electrode 33 of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment is used. That is, as... Figure 12 As shown in (A), in this embodiment, the peripheral electrode 33C of the electronic pen body 3C is configured as a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, and this outer diameter is configured as a diameter R1 smaller than the diameter of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0190] Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment, since the structure of the peripheral electrode 33C is different from that of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, the cylindrical connecting member 32C of the main body cylindrical portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33C are configured to be able to connect the peripheral electrode 33C to the main body cylindrical portion 31 via the annular flange portion 32CF. Furthermore, the front cap 34C is also configured by changing the structure to match the peripheral electrode 33C. Other parts are set to have the same structure as the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0191] Should Figure 12 In example (A), the main body 3C of the electronic pen can also be housed in the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, and the resin tube portion 31b of the main body cylindrical portion 31 can be fitted laterally into the fitting portion 43a. Furthermore, by pressing the tapping bar 42 of the tapping cam mechanism portion 4, the front end 35a of the core on the tip side of the electronic pen main body 3C, the front cap 34C, and a portion of the tip side of the peripheral electrode 33C can be made to protrude from the opening 2b.

[0192] Therefore, in Figure 12 In example (A), the electronic pen body 3C also achieves the same effect as the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment. During use, a portion of the core 35, the front cap 34C, and the peripheral electrodes 33C on the pen tip side... Figure 10 (A) The dotted line indicates that the opening of the electronic pen housing 2C protrudes outward. In this case, the cylindrical portion with a constant outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 33C is located at the opening of the housing 2C. Therefore, by adjusting the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the peripheral electrode 33C, it is easy to prevent the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3C from becoming loose at the opening of the housing 2C.

[0193] then, Figure 12 Example (B) also shows a variation of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment described above. The main cylindrical portion 31D and the cylindrical connecting member 32D of this embodiment differ from those of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, while other portions are configured with the same structure. Therefore, in this embodiment of the electronic pen body 3D, the same reference numerals are used for structural portions identical to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0194] The main body cylindrical portion 31D of the electronic pen main body portion 3D in this embodiment has an outer diameter R3 that is larger than the outer diameter R2 of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the main body cylindrical portion 31D of the electronic pen main body portion 3D in this embodiment is also set to be larger than the inner diameter of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 in the first embodiment.

[0195] Therefore, in the electronic pen main body 3D of this embodiment, since the structure of the main body cylindrical portion 31D is different from that of the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment, the cylindrical connecting member 32D that connects the main body cylindrical portion 31D to the peripheral electrode 33 is configured in accordance with the structure of the main body cylindrical portion 31D so that the peripheral electrode 33 can be connected to the main body cylindrical portion 31D via the annular flange portion 32DF.

[0196] Thus, the main cylindrical portion 31D of the electronic pen body 3D in this embodiment has a large hollow portion. Furthermore, in the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment, the large hollow portion of the main cylindrical portion 31D is used to replace the capacitor 10, which is a power storage element used in the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, within the hollow portion... Figure 12 The primary battery (battery) 10BT is housed as shown in (B). Other electronic circuit components within the main body cylindrical portion 31D are housed within the same main body cylindrical portion 31D as in the first embodiment, and the required power supply voltage is supplied from the primary battery 10BT to each component.

[0197] Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment, a structure for charging the capacitor 10 from the outside is not required. In this example, the cylindrical body 31D is constructed of a metal tube, and a detachable cap 31De is attached to its rear end on the side opposite to the pen tip. In the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment, the cap 31De is detachable for replacing the primary battery 10BT housed within the cylindrical body 31D. It should be noted that the cylindrical body 31D can, of course, also be constructed by combining a metal tube and a resin tube, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0198] The structure of the pen housing housing the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment differs from that of the electronic pen housing in the above-described embodiment. That is, even when using a housing with a tapping cam mechanism and a tapping mechanism, similar to the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to provide electrical structures at the fitting portion of the electronic pen housing that fits into the electronic pen body 3D. However, the housing has an opening on the tip side with a diameter larger than R1. In use, the front end 35a of the core 35 on the tip side of the electronic pen body 3D, the front cap 34, and a portion of the tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 protrude outward from the opening of the housing, just as in the above-described embodiment.

[0199] In addition, as a replacement for ballpoint pens, it is not limited to, Figure 2 (A) shows an ink reservoir made of a thin resin tube. Various types of ink reservoirs are known, such as the main cylindrical part 31D of the electronic pen body 3D in this example, and there are ink reservoirs of the thick type. The electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment can also be assembled into the housing of such a ballpoint pen.

[0200] It should be noted that when the main body cylindrical portion 31D is configured as a thick type as in the electronic pen main body portion 3D of this embodiment, a secondary battery, capacitor and other energy storage components can be provided instead of the primary battery 10BT in the hollow portion of the main body cylindrical portion 31D, and the structure of the rear end side of the main body cylindrical portion 31D can be configured in the same way as the electronic pen main body portion 3 of the first embodiment or the electronic pen main body portion 3B of the third embodiment.

[0201] After using this Figure 12 In example (B), the electronic pen body 3C also achieves the same effect as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. During use, a portion of the cone-shaped portion on the tip side of the core 35, front cap 34, and peripheral electrodes 33... Figure 12 (B) The dotted line indicates that the opening of the electronic pen's housing 2D protrudes outward.

[0202] Figure 12 (C) is Figure 12 (A) A modified example of the electronic pen body 3C. Figure 12 In example (C), the peripheral electrode 33C' of the electronic pen body 3C' is set as a cone 33C'b on the pen tip side, which is consistent with... Figure 12 (A) differs from the peripheral electrode 33C of the electronic pen body 3. That is, in this example, the peripheral electrode 33C' of the electronic pen body 3C' is configured such that its outer diameter is larger than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 (see reference). Figure 1 The small diameter R1 cylindrical portion 33C'a has a tapered portion 33C'b formed on the tip side. In this example, the front cap 34C' is located at the front end of the tapered portion 33C'b of the peripheral electrode 33C'. Other than... Figure 12 The electronic pen body 3C in example (A) is also constructed in the same way.

[0203] In Figure 12 In the case of the electronic pen body 3C' in example (C), during use, a portion of the tip side of the core 35, the front cap 34C', and the peripheral electrode 33C' protrudes outward from the opening of the electronic pen housing 2C. In this case, the portion of the protruding peripheral electrode 33C' includes not only the conical portion 33C'b, but also a portion of the cylindrical portion 33C'a. The portion located at the opening of the housing 2C becomes the cylindrical portion 33C'a, thus functioning with... Figure 12 Example (A) has the same effect.

[0204] [Other implementation methods or variations]

[0205] In the above description of the embodiments, the main body of the electronic pen is intended to be interchangeable with the refill of a ballpoint pen for a notebook, but it can of course also be configured for use as a dedicated electronic pen.

[0206] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the main body of the electronic pen is configured to be removed and inserted into the housing by a tapping motion. However, this is not limited to a tapping motion; the electronic pen could simply be a pen in which the main body is housed within the pen housing. In this case, the tip side of the main body of the electronic pen always protrudes from the opening of the pen housing. However, it could also be configured such that the cap is screwed into or pressed into the pen housing to protect the protruding tip side, thus covering the tip side of the main body of the electronic pen with the cap.

[0207] In addition, the peripheral electrodes are made of cylindrical conductors, but they can also be made in a cylindrical shape by using conductors that are divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction.

[0208] In addition, the core 35 is made of a conductive metal, but as long as it is conductive, it can be made of a rigid resin mixed with conductive powder, for example.

[0209] It should be noted that the main cylindrical part of the electronic pen body may not be a structure combining a metal tube and a resin tube, but may be composed of a single metal tube or a single resin tube. However, in the case where it is composed of a single metal tube, when it is necessary to make an electrical connection with electronic components provided in the housing, a component that forms a conductor for electrical connection through an insulator such as resin is provided at the rear end of the main cylindrical part on the side opposite to the pen tip side.

[0210] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0211] 1…Electronic pen, 2…Electronic pen housing, 3…Electronic pen body, 4…Tap cam mechanism, 7…Core holding member, 8…Pen pressure detection unit, 9…Printed circuit board, 10…Capacitor for energy storage, 10BT…Primary battery, 30…Housing of the electronic pen body, 31…Cylindrical part of the body, 32…Cylindrical connecting member, 33…Peripheral electrode, 34…Front cap, 35…Center electrode (core)

Claims

1. A main body of an electronic pen, wherein at least the pen tip is housed within the housing of the electronic pen in such a manner that it can protrude from an opening in the axial direction of the electronic pen's housing, characterized in that, have: The first electrode, with one end in the axial direction becoming the pen tip; A signal transmitting circuit generates at least a signal supplied to the first electrode; The main structural part is equipped with the signal transmitting circuit; and A battery, disposed within the main structural section, is used to supply power voltage to at least the signal transmitting circuit. The main body structure has a structure that allows the battery to be removed from the main cylindrical part and replaced.

2. The electronic pen body according to claim 1, characterized in that, A detachable cap is attached to the rear end of the main body structure on the side opposite to the pen tip. By removing the detachable cap from the main body structure, the battery can be removed and replaced.

3. The electronic pen body according to claim 2, characterized in that, The closure cap is provided with a fitting member, which fits into a fitting part provided inside the housing of the electronic pen.

4. The electronic pen body according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the electronic pen has: The second electrode, disposed around the first electrode, is different from the first electrode; and The signal receiving circuit is supplied with the received signal obtained by the second electrode through electric field coupling with the position detection sensor. When the first electrode protrudes outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen at one end, a portion of the second electrode at the tip also protrudes outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pen tip side of the second electrode has a pointed, conical shape.

6. The electronic pen body according to claim 4, characterized in that, The main structural part is designed as a cylindrical structure. The second electrode is attached to the pen tip side in the axial direction of the main structure. The main structural portion does not protrude outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen.

7. The electronic pen body according to claim 4, characterized in that, The main structural part is designed as a cylindrical structure. The hollow portion of the structure formed by the combination of the second electrode and the main structural part is provided with the fitting portion of the first electrode. The first electrode is mounted on the fitting portion of the first electrode by fitting it into the fitting portion of the first electrode in a detachable manner.

8. The electronic pen body according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second electrode has a diameter smaller than that of the main body structure.

9. The electronic pen body according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second electrode has, in the axial direction, a front section on the tip side including the portion protruding outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen, and a rear section on the bonding side that bonds with the main body structure. The front section has a pointed conical shape on the tip side, and the rear section has a cylindrical shape with a specified diameter.

10. The electronic pen body according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the signal is supplied from the signal transmitting circuit to the first electrode, the second electrode is configured to be grounded and function as a shielding electrode.

11. The electronic pen body according to claim 4, characterized in that, By supplying the signal from the signal transmitting circuit to the second electrode, the second electrode is configured to function as a tilt detection electrode.

12. The electronic pen body according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main structural part is configured to be able to flex in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

13. An electronic pen, comprising a housing having an opening at one end in the axial direction serving as the pen tip, wherein at least one electronic pen body is housed within the housing, characterized in that, The main body of the electronic pen has: The first electrode, with one end in the axial direction becoming the pen tip; A signal transmitting circuit generates at least a signal supplied to the first electrode; The main structural part is equipped with the signal transmitting circuit; and A battery, disposed within the main structural section, is used to supply power voltage to at least the signal transmitting circuit. The main body structure has a structure that allows the battery to be removed from the main cylindrical part and replaced.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that, The main body of the electronic pen has: The second electrode, disposed around the first electrode, is different from the first electrode; and The signal receiving circuit is supplied with the received signal obtained by the second electrode through electric field coupling with the position detection sensor. When the first electrode protrudes outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen at one end, a portion of the second electrode at the tip also protrudes outward from the opening in the housing of the electronic pen.

15. The electronic pen according to claim 14, characterized in that, The diameter of the first electrode of the electronic pen body and the diameter of the portion of the second electrode protruding from the opening are set to be less than the diameter of the tip of a commercially available tapping ballpoint pen refill, and the length of the electronic pen body is set to be approximately the same as the length of the ballpoint pen refill.

16. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that, The housing houses the refill of the ballpoint pen, thus functioning as a ballpoint pen.

17. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that, The housing contains a mechanism for a tapping ballpoint pen that targets the main body of the electronic pen or the refill of the ballpoint pen.

18. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that, The housing houses multiple electronic pen bodies and includes a mechanism for a tap-type multi-color ballpoint pen. This mechanism selectively causes one end of the first electrode of one of the multiple electronic pen bodies, which becomes the pen tip, to protrude outward from the opening.

19. The electronic pen according to claim 15, characterized in that, The housing houses the ballpoint pen refill to replace one or more of the main body parts of the electronic pen, and also functions as a tap-type multi-color ballpoint pen.

20. The electronic pen according to claim 13, characterized in that, The housing has a cap on the opening side that engages to cover the pen tip side protruding from the opening of the housing.

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