Electronic pen

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic pen which increases the strength of a combination part of a pen shell formed by combining a cylindrical front end side shell and a cylindrical tail end side shell made of resin. The present invention is provided with: a first function unit for position indication, which is provided in a front-end-side case; the second function part is arranged in the tail end side shell; and a coupling member configured in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined length in the axial direction, one side of the coupling member in the axial direction being inserted into the coupling side of the distal end-side housing to be coupled to the distal end-side housing, and the other side of the coupling member in the axial direction being inserted into the coupling side of the distal end-side housing to be coupled to the distal end-side housing. Therefore, the front end side shell and the tail end side shell are combined to form the pen shell. The coupling member is in a non-contact state with a circuit component provided in the hollow portion of the pen case and a circuit board on which the circuit component is placed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic pen having a pen case formed by combining a front end side case and a rear end side case in an axial direction. BACKGROUND

[0002] Known is an electronic pen having a position indicating portion as a first function portion on a front end side (a pen point side) of a cylindrical pen case, and a position indicating portion as a second function portion example on a side opposite to the pen point side, i.e., a rear end side in the axial direction (see Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-335132)). In the electronic pen (a recording pen) of Patent Document 1, the position indicating portion as the first function portion is used for writing input, and the position indicating portion as the second function portion example is used for erasing.

[0003] In such an electronic pen, the function portion (the position indicating portion in Patent Document 1) exists on both the front end side and the rear end side, and therefore the pen case is divided into two parts, i.e., a front end side case and a rear end side case in the axial direction. Further, the front end side case and the rear end side case are provided with an extension portion having an inner diameter as an outer diameter of the other, and are combined by press-fitting or screwing the extension portion into a hollow portion of the other.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-335132 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] The slimming of recent electronic pens is continuously progressing. In order to achieve the slimming, it is advantageous that the front end side case and the rear end side case constituting the pen case are formed of thin-walled cylindrical bodies. However, if the front end side case and the rear end side case are formed as thin-walled cylindrical bodies, the resistance to external force in a direction intersecting the axial direction is weakened in the combined portions of the two, and a crack can occur.

[0009] Further, since the front end side case and the rear end side case are formed of resin, if there is a tolerance in the structure of the combined portions of the two, stress is applied to the combined portions, and even if the stress, a crack can occur in the combined portions.

[0010] An object of the present application is to provide an electronic pen capable of solving the above problems.

[0011] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0012] To solve the above problems, an electronic pen is provided, having a pen case formed by combining a front end side case of a cylindrical shape made of resin and a tail end side case of a cylindrical shape made of resin in an axial direction, characterized by comprising: a first function part for position indication provided in the front end side case; a second function part provided in the tail end side case; and a coupling member configured to be cylindrical with a length in the axial direction of a prescribed length, for coupling the front end side case and the tail end side case by inserting one side in the axial direction into the coupling side of the front end side case from the tail end side case and the other side in the axial direction into the coupling side of the tail end side case from the front end side case, thereby forming the pen case.

[0013] According to the electronic pen of the above structure, in a state where one side in the axial direction of the coupling member of a cylindrical shape with a length in the axial direction of a prescribed length is inserted into the coupling side of the front end side case from the tail end side case and the other side in the axial direction is inserted into the coupling side of the tail end side case from the front end side case, the front end side case and the tail end side case are coupled to constitute the pen case.

[0014] Therefore, the pen case of the electronic pen of the above structure, even if it is a pen case formed by coupling two parts of the front end side case and the tail end side case, is reinforced by the coupling member, and the resistance to external force in a direction intersecting the axial direction is increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the pen case of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining a structure example of the first function part of the front end side case of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a structure example of the second function part of the tail end side case of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0019] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing a structure example of the electronic circuit of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0020] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the main part of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application.

[0021] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the main part of the embodiment of the electronic pen of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic pen of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 (A) is an external view of the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 (B) is its approximate longitudinal sectional view. Additionally, Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the pen casing 2 of the electronic pen 1 according to this embodiment. In the following description, in the axial direction of the pen casing 2 of the electronic pen 1, the tip side is referred to as the front end side, and the opposite side of the tip side is referred to as the tail end side.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pen shell 2 of the electronic pen 1 in this embodiment is configured such that a cylindrical front-end shell 21 made of resin and a cylindrical tail-end shell 22 also made of resin are joined by a connecting member, which in this example is a metal tube 23. Furthermore, the connecting member is preferably made of a material that is harder than the front-end shell 21 and the tail-end shell 22, and the metal tube 23 satisfies this condition.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front end housing 21 is configured as a tapered portion 21a that gradually tapers to one side in the axial direction of the tip of the electronic pen 1. A power supply is provided at the front end of this tapered portion 21a. Figure 1 The position indicator core 3 is inserted through the opening 21b. And, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the other side of the front end housing 21 in the axial direction is the side that connects with the rear end housing 22, and has an opening 21c. Furthermore, in this embodiment, operating parts 91, 92, and 93 for installing the three switches (side switches) 55, 56, and 57 (described later) are formed at predetermined positions in the axial direction of the front end housing (see reference). Figure 1 The through hole 21d of (A)).

[0026] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, one side of the tail-end housing 22 in the axial direction is the joint side with the front-end housing 21, and has an opening 22a. (As described later...) Figure 4 As shown, a tail cap component 4 is installed on the other side (tail end side) of the tail end housing 22 in the axial direction.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer diameter of the portion of the front-end housing 21 excluding the tapered portion 21a on the tip side is set to a constant diameter R1 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the tail-end housing 22 is also a constant diameter R1, equal to the outer diameter of the front-end housing 21, in this embodiment. And, in this embodiment, as...Figure 2 As shown, the inner diameter of the opening 21c of the joining side of the front end side housing 21 which is joined to the tail end side housing 22 and the inner diameter of the opening 22a of the joining side of the tail end side housing 22 which is joined to the front end side housing 21 are diameters R2 which are equal to each other.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 As shown, the metal pipe 23 is a cylindrical member whose length in the axial direction is a prescribed length L and whose outer diameter and inner diameter in the axial direction are constant. Also, in this embodiment, the metal pipe 23 uses a thin-walled pipe, and the thickness d of the metal pipe 23 is set to d = 0.15 mm in this example. The thin-walled pipe is used as the metal pipe 23 in consideration of the slimming of the electronic pen 1.

[0029] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the metal pipe 23 is set to a diameter R3 which is equal to the inner diameter R2 of the openings 21c and 22a of the joining sides of the front end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 or slightly smaller than the diameter R2. The value of the outer diameter R3 of this metal pipe 23 is such that, from the opening 21c of the joining side of the front end side housing 21, the one end side in the axial direction of the metal pipe 23 is inserted in a state of contact with the inner wall surface of the joining side of the front end side housing 21, and in this example, is press-fitted and inserted, and the other end side in the axial direction is inserted in a state of contact with the inner wall surface of the joining side of the tail end side housing 22, and in this example, is press-fitted and inserted.

[0030] In this embodiment, the length in the axial direction of the front end side housing 21 is longer than the length in the axial direction of the tail end side housing 22, and in correspondence thereto, as shown in Figure 1 (A) of the accompanying drawings, the portion of the length LI of the one end side in the axial direction of the metal pipe 23 of the length L is inserted into the front end side housing 21, and the remaining portion of the length L2 (< LI) is inserted into the tail end side housing 22. As shown in Figure 1 (A) of the accompanying drawings, the front end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 are joined in a state in which the end surface of the opening 21c of the joining side of the front end side housing 21 and the end surface of the opening 22a of the joining side of the tail end side housing 22 are butted against each other. Alternatively, instead of the state in which the end surface of the opening 21c of the joining side of the front end side housing 21 and the end surface of the opening 22a of the joining side of the tail end side housing 22 are butted against each other, a ring-shaped member can be interposed between the end surface of the opening 21c of the joining side of the front end side housing 21 and the end surface of the opening 22a of the joining side of the tail end side housing 22.

[0031] Furthermore, to make the engagement of the metal tube 23 at length L1 more reliable with the mating side of the front end housing 21, an annular protrusion can be provided on the inner wall surface of the front end housing 21 at length L1, and a groove can be provided on the outer periphery of the metal tube 23. This groove engages with the annular protrusion of the front end housing when the metal tube 23 is inserted into the mating side of the front end housing 21 at length L1. In this way, when the metal tube 23 at length L1 is engaged with the mating side of the front end housing 21, the annular protrusion and the groove are locked together. Similarly, the engagement of the metal tube at length L2 with the mating side of the rear end housing 22 can also be configured by forming an annular protrusion and a groove.

[0032] Inside the pen casing 2 of the electronic pen 1 in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown by dashed lines in (A), a first functional unit 5 is provided in the front end housing 21, and a second functional unit 6 is provided in the rear end housing 22. The first functional unit 5 is composed of a first main part 5M and a first circuit board part 5CB, and the second functional unit 6 is composed of a second main part 6M and a second circuit board part 6CB.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in (A), the first main part 5M and the first circuit board part 5CB of the first functional part 5 are arranged in a manner along its axial direction within the front-end housing 21 when the first main part 5M is in the state of being the front end side (pen tip side). Furthermore, similarly, as... Figure 1 As shown in (A), the second main part 6M and the second circuit board part 6CB of the second functional part 6 are arranged in the tail end side housing 22 in a manner that is arranged along its axial direction when the second main part 6M becomes the tail end side.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB are formed on a common circuit board 7. For example... Figure 1 As shown in (B), the circuit board 7 is placed and held on the circuit board mounting portion 81 of, for example, a substrate support 8 made of resin.

[0035] When the substrate support 8 is housed within the hollow portion of the pen casing 2, its length in the axial direction of the pen casing is longer than that of the front-end housing 21 and the rear-end housing 22. The hollow portion of the pen casing 2 has a boat-shaped form with a length extending from the hollow portion of the front-end housing 21 to the hollow portion of the rear-end housing 22. The circuit board mounting portion 81 of the substrate support 8 has a curved portion along a roughly semi-circular portion of the inner wall of the cylindrical hollow portion of the pen casing 2 and a flat portion including a straight line connecting the edge of the curved portion. The circuit board mounting portion 81 is formed in this flat portion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described later, the substrate support 8 has a cylindrical pressure sensing portion holding portion 82 integrally formed with the circuit board mounting portion 81 on the front-end side (pen tip side) and a cylindrical pressure sensing portion holding portion 83 integrally formed with the circuit board mounting portion 81 on the rear-end side.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circuit board 7 has a common area Acom that partially overlaps with the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB along its length. In this example, a control circuit IC (Integrated Circuit) 100 (see reference) capable of controlling the first functional portion 5 and the second functional portion 6 is provided in the common area Acom. Figure 1 (B)). The circuit structure of the first functional unit 5 and the second functional unit 6 of the control circuit IC 100 will be described later.

[0037] The first functional unit 5 is configured as a writing input and a position indication function for the electronic pen 1. In this embodiment, the first main part 5M of the first functional unit 5 is configured to interact with the position detection sensor by electromagnetic induction, and the coil 51 is configured to include a component wound around a magnetic core, which in this example is a ferrite core 52, and a pressure detection unit 53.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown in (B), in this embodiment, the substrate support 8 has a pressure detection part holding part 82 integrally formed with the circuit board mounting part 81 on its front end side (pen tip side), and the pressure detection part 53 is held by the pressure detection part holding part 82. Moreover, the ferrite core 52 with the coil 51 wound around it is configured to be held in the pressure detection part 53.

[0039] Figure 3 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the front end of the electronic pen 1. Figure 3 (B) is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the pressure detection unit 53 in this example. Figure 3 (C) is a diagram used to illustrate the pressure detection operation of the pressure detection unit 53.

[0040] likeFigure 3 As shown in (A), a through hole 52a in the axial direction is provided in the ferrite core 52. Furthermore, a rod-shaped core 3 is inserted into the opening 21b of the front end housing 21 through the through hole 52a, and the rear end of the core 3 is fitted into the pressure detection unit 53. At this time, the front end 3a of the core 3 protrudes outward from the opening 21b of the front end housing 21.

[0041] In this embodiment, the pressure detection unit 53 is configured as a variable capacitor that detects changes in electrostatic capacitance by measuring the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core 3. Figure 3 As shown in (A), the pressure detection unit 53 is constructed by arranging a pressure detection component inside a resin bracket 53F. Furthermore, a cover 53Fa is provided on the front end side of the bracket 53F, through which the rear end side of the ferrite core 52 is held.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown in (A), (B), and (C), the pressure detection component of the pressure detection unit 53 in this example is composed of a dielectric 531, a spacer 532, an elastic member 533, and a pressing member 534 constituting the pressure transmission member. Figure 3 As shown in (B), the dielectric 531 has a circular plate shape with a specified diameter, and a first electrode 535 is provided on one side of the circular plane facing each other across its thickness portion.

[0043] The spacer 532 is made of an insulating material and, in this example, is configured as an annular shape having an outer diameter equal to or larger than that of the dielectric 531. The elastic member 533 is made of an elastic material, such as elastic rubber, and is configured as a thin, circular plate shape having a diameter equal to or larger than that of the dielectric 531. A second electrode 536 is formed on the entire surface of a circular plane of the elastic member 533. Figure 3 As shown in (A), the pressing member 534 has a fitting portion 534a on the rear end side of the core 3, and the front end side opposite to the fitting portion 534a in the axial direction is formed into a dome-shaped bulge.

[0044] And, as Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), an elastic member 533 is disposed on the other circular plane side facing away from the thickness portion of the dielectric 531, separated by a spacer 532. In this case, the circular plane side of the elastic member 533 where the second electrode 536 is formed is disposed facing away from the other circular plane of the dielectric 531, separated by the spacer 532. Thus, the first electrode 535 formed on one circular plane of the dielectric 531 and the second electrode 536 formed on the circular plane of the elastic member 533 face each other across the dielectric 531, thereby forming a capacitor.

[0045] And, as Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (C), the pressing member 534 is configured to press the elastic member 533 using its dome-shaped bulge at its front end. Therefore, if pressure (pen pressure) is applied to the front end 3a of the core 3 fitted into the pressing member 534 at its rear end, the elastic member 533 is pressed by the pressing member 34, as... Figure 3 As shown in (C), the elastic member 533 undergoes a partial elastic displacement corresponding to the opening portion of the annular spacer 532. Through this elastic displacement, the second electrode 536 formed on the circular plane of the elastic member 533 comes into contact with another circular plane of the dielectric 531.

[0046] In this case, the area where the second electrode 536 contacts the other circular plane of the dielectric 531 becomes the area corresponding to the pressing force of the pressing member 534, that is, the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the front end 3a of the core 3. Therefore, the capacitance of the capacitor formed between the first electrode 535 and the second electrode 536, sandwiching the dielectric 531, varies according to the contact area between the second electrode 536 and the other circular plane of the dielectric 531. Therefore, the pen pressure applied to the front end 3a of the core 3 is detected by detecting the electrostatic capacitance of this capacitor.

[0047] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown in (C), in the pressure detection unit 53, a first terminal 537 is provided relative to the first electrode 535, and the first terminal 537 is electrically connected to the first circuit board portion 5CB of the circuit board 7. A second terminal 538 is provided relative to the second electrode 536, and the second terminal 538 is electrically connected to the first circuit board portion 5CB of the circuit board 7.

[0048] A capacitor 54 is provided on the first circuit board portion 5CB, which is connected in parallel with the coil 51 to form a resonant circuit. The control circuit IC 81 of the aforementioned common area portion Acom controls the resonant circuit, sends a signal for detecting the writing input position to the position detection sensor side (feedback), and detects the electrostatic capacitance of the pressure detection unit 53, thereby generating pressure value (pen pressure value) information, and sends the generated pressure value (pen pressure value) information to the position detection sensor side.

[0049] The pressure detection unit 53 of the first main part 5M of the first functional part 5 has, as follows: Figure 3 The structure shown enables high-sensitivity detection of high-precision pressure values ​​(pen pressure values). In this embodiment, the control circuit IC is configured to detect pressure values ​​(pen pressure values) with an accuracy of 4K (4096) grayscale or higher. In order to detect pressure values ​​(pen pressure values) with high grayscale, the diameter of the dielectric 531 of the pressure detection unit 53 in this example is larger than the diameter of the dielectric 631 of the pressure detection unit 63 of the second main part 6M of the second functional part 6 described later.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, three switches (side switches) 55, 56, 57 are provided in the first circuit board section 5CB, as shown in (A) of FIG. 9, and are configured to be turned on and off by push operation of operation sections 91, 92, 93 provided on the side surface of the front end side housing 21, respectively. The control circuit IC 81 of the above-mentioned common area section Acom monitors the on and off of these switches 55, 56, 57, and transmits the on and off information of each switch 55, 56, 57 to the position detection sensor side. Figure 1

[0051] On the position detection sensor side, the function assigned in advance to each switch 55, 56, 57 is controlled based on the on and off information thereof. As the function assigned in advance to each switch 55, 56, 57, in the state in which the first function section 5 is interlaced with the position detection sensor, for example, a function corresponding to left click or right click of the mouse, selection function of the width or thickness of the written input line, color or type of the line, and the like are provided.

[0052] The switches 55, 56, 57 are switches of the type that are turned on and off by push operation. As shown in (A) of FIG. 9, the operation sections 91, 92, 93 are provided to a mounting plate 94 that is mounted to a through-hole 21d provided at a position above the switches 55, 56, 57 provided on the circuit board 7 on the side surface of the front end side housing 21. By push transmission mechanism sections 91a, 92a, 93a provided between each of the operation sections 91, 92, 93 and the switches 55, 56, 57, each switch 55, 56, 57 is turned on and off by push operation of the operation sections 91, 92, 93. Figure 3

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the position of the electronic pen 1 in the axial direction of the pen case 2 of the switches 55, 56, 57 and the operation sections 91, 92, 93 becomes a position that does not overlap the metal tube 23, and in this example, the operation sections 91, 92, 93 and the switches 55, 56, 57 are provided to the front end side of the front end side housing 21 than the length LI of the metal tube 23 that is a coupling member inserted into the front end side housing 21. Figure 1

[0054] ​​​Therefore, the portion of length L1 of the metal tube 23 of the connecting component is inserted into the front end housing 21 without being obstructed by the presence of the press-transfer mechanism portions 91a to 93a directly below the switches 55 to 57 and the operating portions 91 to 93. Alternatively, the portion of length L1 of the metal tube 23 could be extended to the positions of the switches 55 to 57 and the operating portions 91 to 93, but in this case, the metal tube 23 must be processed to avoid the operating portions 91 to 93 or the press-transfer mechanism portions 91a to 93a. In this respect, if the length L1 of the metal tube 23 is selected to achieve the positional relationship as in this embodiment, it has the advantage that the aforementioned processing is unnecessary.

[0055] Next, in this embodiment, the second functional unit 6 is configured as a position indication functional unit for eliminating writing marks input by the first functional unit 5. Moreover, in this embodiment, the second main part 6M of the second functional unit 6 is also configured to interact with the position detection sensor by electromagnetic induction, and the coil 61 is configured to include a component wound around a magnetic core, which in this example is a ferrite core 62, and a pressure detection unit 63.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown in (B), in this embodiment, the substrate support 8 has a pressure detection part holding part 83 integrally formed with the circuit board mounting part 81 at its tail end, and the pressure detection part 63 is held by the pressure detection part holding part 83. Furthermore, the ferrite core 62 with the coil 61 wound around it is configured to be held by the pressure detection part 63.

[0057] Figure 4 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tail end of the electronic pen 1. (As shown...) Figure 4 As shown, a through hole 62a in the axial direction is provided on the ferrite core 62, such as... Figure 1 As shown in (B), a pressure-transmitting rod-shaped member 41 provided on the tail-end cap member 4 is inserted through the opening on the tail-end side of the tail-end housing 22, passing through the through hole 62a. The front end of the pressure-transmitting rod-shaped member 41 of the tail-end cap member 4 is engaged with the pressure detection unit 63. Thus, the pressure applied to the tail-end cap member 4 is transmitted to the pressure detection unit 63, which detects the applied pressure.

[0058] Like pressure detection unit 53, pressure detection unit 63 in this embodiment is configured as a variable capacitor that detects changes in electrostatic capacitance by measuring the pressure applied to the tail cap member 4. However, pressure detection unit 63 differs from pressure detection unit 53 in that it has a simpler structure.

[0059] like Figure 4As shown, the pressure detecting portion 63 is configured by disposing a pressure detecting member in a resin-made holder 63F. Further, a cover portion 63Fa is provided on the more distal end side of the holder 63F, and the end portion on the opposite side of the tail end side of the ferrite core 62 is held by the cover portion 63Fa.

[0060] As shown, in this example, the pressure detecting member of the pressure detecting portion 63 is configured by a dielectric 631, a conductive elastic member 632, a pressing member 633 that constitutes a pressure transmitting member, and a spring member 634 for return. The dielectric 631 has a circular plate shape with a prescribed diameter, and a first electrode is provided on one of the circular planes that face each other across the thickness portion. Further, a first terminal 635 that is electrically connected to the first electrode formed in the dielectric 631 is provided, and is connected to the second circuit board portion 6CB of the circuit board 7. Figure 4

[0061] The conductive elastic member 632 has a canister shape, and has a dome-shaped bulging portion on the distal end side. The conductive elastic member 632 is disposed in a state in which the dome-shaped bulging portion faces the circular plane on the side opposite to the side on which the first electrode is formed of the dielectric 631, and in a state in which it is pressed by the pressing member 633 and is able to move toward the dielectric 631.

[0062] The conductive elastic member 632 is configured by an elastic rubber having conductivity in this example, and constitutes a second electrode that opposes the first electrode across the dielectric 631. In this way, the first electrode formed on one face side of the dielectric 631 and the second electrode constituted by the conductive elastic member 632 face each other across the dielectric 631, and thereby a capacitor is formed. Although the illustration is omitted in Figure 4 , the conductive elastic member 632 is electrically connected to the second circuit board portion 6CB of the circuit board 7.

[0063] The pressing member 633 has an insertion portion 633a on the side opposite to the conductive elastic member 632, into which the pressure transmitting rod-shaped member 41 of the tail end cap member 4 is inserted. If pressure is applied to the tail end cap member 4, the pressing member 633 presses the conductive elastic member 632 in correspondence with the applied pressure via the pressure transmitting rod-shaped member 41, and the bulging portion on the distal end side of the conductive elastic member 632 comes into contact with the dielectric 631.

[0064] ​In this case, the area of the bulging portion of the conductive elastic member 632 as the second electrode in contact with the circular flat surface of the dielectric 631 corresponds to the pressing force of the pressing member 633, that is, the pressure applied to the tail end cap member 4. Therefore, the capacitance of the capacitor formed with the dielectric 631 sandwiched between the first electrode and the conductive elastic member 632 as the second electrode varies depending on the contact area of the conductive elastic member 632 with the circular flat surface of the dielectric 531. Therefore, by detecting the electrostatic capacitance of this capacitor, the pressure applied to the tail end cap member 4 is detected. If the pressure applied to the tail end cap member 4 disappears, the conductive elastic member 632 returns to the original state with respect to the dielectric 631 by the elastic force of the return spring member 634.

[0065] As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the maximum inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion of the tip end side housing 21 is larger than the maximum inner diameter R6 of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22. Figure 1 Figure 4 As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the maximum inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion of the tip end side housing 21 is larger than the maximum inner diameter R6 of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22.

[0066] In this embodiment, the second functional section 6 is a structure of a position indication functional section for erasing a writing trace, and therefore the pressure detection section 63 of the second main section 6M thereof can be a low-gradation pressure value compared to the pressure detection section 53 of the first main section 5M of the first functional section 5 constituting the position indication functional section of the writing input, and therefore is a structure as described above. Also, the dielectric 631 used by this pressure detection section 63 can be a low-gradation pressure value, and therefore the diameter thereof can be smaller than the diameter of the dielectric 531 used by the pressure detection section 53.

[0067] As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the maximum inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion of the tip end side housing 21 is larger than the maximum inner diameter R6 of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22. Figure 1 As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the maximum inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion of the tip end side housing 21 is larger than the maximum inner diameter R6 of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22. Figure 1 As shown in (B) of FIG. 6, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the maximum inner diameter R5 of the hollow portion of the tip end side housing 21 is larger than the maximum inner diameter R6 of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22.

[0068] ​The outer diameter of the front-end side housing 21 can be a value obtained by adding a thickness that takes into account the strength of the front-end side housing 21 to the maximum inner diameter R5 thereof. The outer diameter of the rear-end side housing 22 can also be the same, but the maximum inner diameter R6 of the rear-end side housing 22 is smaller than the maximum inner diameter R5 of the front-end side housing 21, and thus the thickness of the rear-end side housing 22 can have a margin.

[0069] In other words, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the electronic pen 1 can be set to an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter at which the pressure detection portion 53 of the first function portion 5 can be accommodated in the front-end side housing 21, and there is no need to take into account the diameter of the rear-end side housing 22, which is advantageous in design.

[0070] In addition, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, as is clear from the above description, the electronic pen main portion (a structure portion provided with the first function portion 5, the second function portion 6, and the circuit substrate 7) accommodated in the pen case 2 is unitized by holding the circuit substrate 7 with respect to the substrate holder 8, and holding the first main portion 5M of the first function portion 5 on the pen tip side of the substrate holder 8 and the second main portion 6M of the second function portion on the rear-end side thereof.

[0071] That is, the first main portion 5M of the first function portion 5 is configured to hold the pressure detection member of the pressure detection portion 53 on a holder 53F, and to hold the ferrite core 52 on which the coil 51 is wound on the holder 53F. Further, the holder 53F is held by a pressure detection portion holding portion 82 provided on the pen tip side of the substrate holder 8. In addition, the second main portion 6M of the second function portion 6 is configured to hold the pressure detection member of the pressure detection portion 63 on a holder 63F, and to hold the ferrite core 62 on which the coil 61 is wound on the holder 63F. Further, the holder 63F is held by a pressure detection portion holding portion 83 provided on the rear-end side of the substrate holder 8.

[0072] Therefore, the electronic pen 1, before the front-end side housing 21 and the rear-end side housing 22 are combined via the metal pipe 23 to generate the pen case 2, accommodates the unitized electronic pen main portion in one of the front-end side housing 21 and the rear-end side housing 22, in this state, combines the front-end side housing 21 and the rear-end side housing 22 using the metal pipe 23, and then, respectively mounts the core body 3 and the rear-end cap member 4, and thus assembly can be performed.

[0073] In this case, the unit of the electronic pen main portion can be inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22 in a state in which the metal pipe 23 is inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22 to be combined in advance, or the metal pipe 23 can be inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22 after the unit of the electronic pen main portion is first inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22.

[0074] However, in the case of assembly by the method of first inserting the metal pipe 23 into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22, the inner diameter R4 of the metal pipe 23 needs to be larger than the outer diameter of the support 53F of the pressure detecting portion 53. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inner diameter R4 of the metal pipe 23 is selected to be larger than the maximum inner diameter R5 of the front-end side housing 21. Thus, the electronic pen 1 can be assembled regardless of which of the above assembly sequences is used.

[0075] Further, in the case of the assembly method of first inserting the unit of the electronic pen main body portion into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22, and then inserting the metal pipe 23 into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22, it is also possible to configure so as to use the metal pipe 23 as a position restricting member so that the unit of the electronic pen main body portion inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22 does not move in the axial direction.

[0076] That is, for example, a stepped portion is formed on the substrate support 8 of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion, the stepped portion engages with the end edge of one or the other of the axial directions of the metal pipe 23 in the state of being inserted into the front-end side housing 21 or the rear-end side housing 22, and position restriction is performed so as not to move in the axial direction. In Figure 4 A stepped portion 8a of the substrate support 8 that engages with the end edge of the portion of the length LI of the metal pipe 23 is exemplified in FIG. 8.

[0077] Thus, for example, when the metal pipe 23 is inserted into the front-end side housing 21 by the length LI after first inserting the unit of the electronic pen main body portion into the front-end side housing 21, the stepped portion 8a of the substrate support 8 of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion engages with the end edge of the axial direction of the metal pipe 23 in the state where the end portion of the pressure detecting portion holding portion 81 of the substrate support 8 or the end portion of the support 53F of the pressure detecting portion on the pen tip side abuts against the pen tip side of the hollow portion of the front-end side housing 21, and the unit of the electronic pen main body portion becomes in the state of being positionally restricted in the axial direction in the front-end side housing 21. From this state, by inserting the length portion of the length L2 of the metal pipe 23 into the rear-end side housing 22, the electronic pen 1 can be easily assembled.

[0078] Furthermore, when the unit of the electronic pen main body portion is inserted into the tail end side housing 22 first, and the metal tube 23 is inserted into the tail end side housing 22 by the length L2, the end portion of the pressure detection portion holding portion 82 of the substrate holder 8 or the end portion of the tail end side of the holder 63F of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion is butted against the tail end side of the hollow portion of the tail end side housing 22, and the stepped portion of the substrate holder 8 of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion is engaged with the end edge in the axial direction of the metal tube 23, and the unit of the electronic pen main body portion is positioned in the axial direction in the tail end side housing 22. By inserting the length portion of the length L1 of the metal tube 23 into the front end side housing 21 from this state, the electronic pen 1 can be easily assembled.

[0079] Thus, the metal tube 23 functions as a position restricting member of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion in the axial direction of the unit of the electronic pen main body portion in the pen case 2, and the assembly of the electronic pen 1 becomes easy.

[0080] [Description of an example of a circuit structure of the electronic pen 1]

[0081] Next, an example of a structure of an electronic circuit constituted on the circuit substrate 7 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a view showing an example of a circuit structure of the electronic pen 1.

[0082] The first function portion 5 and the second function portion 6 of the electronic pen 1 interact with the position detection sensor by electromagnetic induction coupling with the annular coil set of the position detection sensor, and transmit and receive a position detection signal for writing input and a position detection signal for cancellation, and transmit additional information such as information of a pressure value detected by the pressure detection portion 53 and the pressure detection portion 63, and on / off information of the switches 55, 56, and 57 to the position detection sensor.

[0083] As described above, as shown in Figure 5 , the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is provided with a control circuit IC 100 that collectively controls the first function portion 5 and the second function portion 6. Also, as shown in Figure 5 , the coil 51 of the first main portion 5M of the first function portion 5 is connected in parallel with the capacitor 54 of the first circuit substrate portion 5CB to constitute a first resonance circuit RC1. Also, the coil 61 of the second main portion 6M of the second function portion 6 is connected in parallel with the capacitor 64 of the second circuit substrate portion 6CB to constitute a second resonance circuit RC2. In this embodiment, the resonance frequencies are different between the first resonance circuit RC1 and the second resonance circuit RC2.

[0084] On the position detection sensor side, by monitoring the frequency of the signal transmitted (fed back) from the electronic pen 1, it is determined whether the first function section 5 of the electronic pen 1 is in the state of interacting with the position detection sensor or the second function section 6 is in the state of interacting with the position detection sensor, and based on the result of the determination, it is switched to control whether the frequency of the signal transmitted from the loop coil group of the position detection sensor to the electronic pen 1 is made equal to the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 or the resonance frequency of the second resonance circuit RC2.

[0085] Furthermore, any one of the switches 55, 56, 57 of the electronic pen 1 can also be used as a switching switch of the first function section 5 and the second function section 6, and on the position detection sensor side, based on the information of the on and off of the switch, it is switched to control whether the frequency of the signal transmitted is made equal to the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 or the resonance frequency of the second resonance circuit RC2. In this case, on the position detection sensor side, the on and off of the switch to which the switching control function is assigned is monitored, and based on the result of the monitoring, it is switched to control whether the frequency of the signal transmitted from the loop coil group of the position detection sensor to the electronic pen 1 is made equal to the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 or the resonance frequency of the second resonance circuit RC2.

[0086] Furthermore, in this example, the switch 101 and the switch 102 are connected in parallel with the resonance circuits RC1 and RC2, respectively. These switches 101 and 102 are configured to be controlled to be on and off by the control circuit IC 100, and the resonance operation of the resonance circuits RC1, RC2 is controlled to be on and off by the control circuit IC 100. That is, when the switches 101, 102 are off, the resonance operation with respect to the signal from the position detection sensor can be performed in the resonance circuits RC1, RC2. However, when the switches 101, 102 are on, the capacitors 54, 64 connected in parallel with the coils 51, 61 are short-circuited, and thus the resonance operation of the resonance circuits RC1, RC2 with respect to the signal from the position detection sensor is off.

[0087] In this embodiment, by the on and off control of the resonance circuits RC1, RC2 by the control circuit IC 100, as described later, the pressure value detected by the pressure detection sections 53, 63, the information of the on and off of the switches 55, 56, 57, and the like are transmitted as information of a plurality of bits of a digital signal from the electronic pen 1 to the position detection sensor side.

[0088] Also, in this embodiment, the alternating-current signal received from the position detection sensor through electromagnetic coupling in the resonance circuits RC1, RC2 is supplied to the control circuit IC 100 via the capacitors 103, 104, respectively. The control circuit IC 100 detects the interaction of the signal of the first functional section 5 with the position detection sensor or the interaction of the signal of the second functional section 6 with the position detection sensor, based on the alternating-current signal input through the capacitors 103, 104.

[0089] In addition, in this embodiment, the alternating-current signal received from the position detection sensor through electromagnetic coupling in the resonance circuits RC1, RC2 is supplied to the rectification circuit 115 composed of the diode 113 for rectification and the capacitor 114 via the diodes 111, 112 for preventing reverse current, respectively, and is rectified. Then, the capacitor 116 for power storage is charged by the rectified output current from the rectification circuit 115. The charged voltage of the capacitor 116 is supplied to the control circuit IC 100 as the power supply voltage Vcc.

[0090] Also, the control circuit IC 100 is connected to the variable capacitor 53CV composed of the pressure detection section 53 of the first main section 5M of the first functional section 5, and is connected to the variable capacitor 63CV composed of the pressure detection section 63 of the second main section 6M of the second functional section 6.

[0091] The control circuit IC 100 measures the electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitors 53CV, 63CV, and detects the pressure value based on the measured electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitors 53CV, 63CV. In addition, the electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitors 53CV, 63CV can be measured, for example, by charging and discharging the variable capacitors 53CV, 63CV and based on the charging and discharging time.

[0092] In this case, in the present embodiment, the control circuit IC 100 converts the calculated pressure value into pressure data of a digital signal of a number of bits capable of expressing a gradation corresponding to the detection performance of the pressure detection section 53 and the pressure detection section 63, and performs on / off control of the switches 101, 102 by the pressure data, thereby transmitting the digital signal of a number of bits of the pressure value as a part of the additional information composed of an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) signal or an OOK (On Off Keying) signal to the position detection sensor.

[0093] Further, in this example, the control circuit IC 100 is connected with the switches 55, 56, 57. Also, the control circuit IC 100 monitors the on / off state of the operation of the operation sections 91, 92, 93 based on the operations of these switches 55, 56, 57, and generates information of a plurality of bits indicating the on / off state. Then, the control circuit IC 100 performs on / off control of the switches 101, 102 in accordance with the generated plurality of bits of information, and thereby transmits the information of the on / off state of the switches 55 to 57 as a part of the additional information constituted by an ASK signal or an OOK signal to the position detection sensor.

[0094] The control circuit IC 100 repeatedly the transmission interval of the additional information after the position indication period for writing input, for example, at a prescribed cycle when the first function section 5 of the electronic pen 1 is in the state of interacting with the position detection sensor. Also, during the position indication period for writing input, the switch 101 is turned off, and the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor side is received by the resonance circuit RC1 and returned to the position detection sensor side. Further, during the transmission period of the additional information, the switch 101 is turned on and off by using the digital signal as the additional information as described above, and thereby the resonance circuit RC1 is turned on and off, and the additional information is transmitted as an ASK signal or an OOK signal.

[0095] The control circuit IC 100 repeatedly the transmission interval of the additional information after the position indication period for erasing, for example, at a prescribed cycle when the second function section 6 is in the state of interacting with the position detection sensor. Also, during the position indication period for erasing, the switch 102 is turned off, and the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor side is received by the resonance circuit RC2 and fed back to the position detection sensor side, and during the transmission period of the additional information, the switch 102 is turned on and off by using the digital signal as the additional information, and thereby the resonance circuit RC2 is turned on and off, and the additional information is transmitted as an ASK signal or an OOK signal.

[0096] Further, in the case where the functions assigned to the switches 55 to 57 are only for the first function section 5, the information of the on / off of the switches 55 to 57 is not included in the transmission period of the additional information when the second function section 6 is operated. However, in the case where one of the switches 55 to 57 is provided for switching between the first function section 5 and the second function section 6, the on / off information of the switch for switching is included in the additional information. Further, the functions of the switches 55 to 57 can be assigned to different functions for the first function section 5 and the second function section 6, and in this case, the on / off information of the switches 55 to 57 is included in the transmission period of the additional information when the second function section 6 is operated.

[0097] [Effect of the electronic pen of the embodiment]

[0098] According to the electronic pen 1 of the above-described structure, in a state where one side of the axis direction of the metal pipe 23, which is the coupling member, having a length of a prescribed length in the axis direction is inserted into the coupling side of the tip end side housing 21 to the tail end side housing 22, and the other side is inserted into the coupling side of the tail end side housing 22 to the tip end side housing 21, the tip end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 are coupled to constitute the pen case 2. Therefore, the pen case 2 of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described structure, which is the pen case coupled from two parts of the tip end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22, has a large resistance to an external force in a direction intersecting the axis direction.

[0099] Further, in a case where the tip end side housing and the tail end side housing, which are composed of resin, are coupled in a manner that one part of one is inserted into the other and overlap each other, if there is a tolerance in the structure of the coupling part of both, stress is applied to the coupling part, and even if due to the stress, a crack can occur in the coupling part.

[0100] In contrast to this, the metal pipe 23 is strong against an external force in a direction intersecting the axis direction compared to resin, and has a dimensional accuracy with a small tolerance. Further, the metal pipe has an effect that the stress at the coupling part of the tip end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 is also low with respect to the tolerance of the dimensional accuracy.

[0101] Further, according to the electronic pen of the above-described structure, even if the coupling member is composed of the metal pipe 23, which is a conductive material, the metal pipe 23 becomes in a state of non-electric contact with the circuit parts and the circuit board on which the circuit parts are placed, which are provided in the hollow part of the pen case 2, and therefore, an electrically bad situation does not occur. Further, in this embodiment, the coupling member composed of the metal pipe 23 is disposed in a manner not to contact the circuit board 7 and the circuit parts, and therefore, an excessive stress is not applied due to the contact.

[0102] [Other embodiments or modifications]

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the outer diameter of the metal pipe 23 is constant, but the outer diameter can also be different in the part of the length L1 inserted into the tip end side housing 21 and the part of the length L2 inserted into the tail end side housing 22. In addition, the inner diameter of the metal pipe 23 can also be similarly different.

[0104] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the coupling member uses the metal pipe 23, but other materials such as a hard resin can also be used. In this case, the coupling member is also preferably harder than the tip end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22.

[0105] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer diameters of the tip end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 are the same, but can also be different.

[0106] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the additional information including the information of the pressure values detected by the pressure detecting portions 53, 63 is transmitted by the interaction of the first function portion 5 and the second function portion 6 with the position detecting sensor, but a communication function portion (including a wired communication function portion) such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard close proximity wireless communication portion can be provided in the electronic pen 1, and transmitted to the position detecting sensor side through the communication function portion.

[0107] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB are provided on one circuit board 7, but the circuit boards can be different between the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB. In this case, the control circuit IC can be configured to use different control circuits in the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB, or can be configured to provide one common control circuit IC in one of the first circuit board portion 5CB and the second circuit board portion 6CB and electrically connected to the other by a lead or a connection terminal, as in the above-described example. Further, in the case of dividing the circuit boards into two, the board holder 8 can be configured by one.

[0108] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the second function portion 6 is an erasing function portion for writing input, but the function of the second function portion 6 is not limited to this. For example, the second function portion can be a structure of a laser pointer. In addition, as a function to transmit information based on a sense of touch to the user of the electronic pen 1, the second function portion can be provided as a sense of touch information transmission unit (haptic unit) such as a vibration actuator. Further, the second function portion can be provided as a structure of a motion detecting function portion using a gyroscope sensor that detects the motion of the electronic pen 1 when the user holds and operates the electronic pen 1. In this case, in the case of transmitting the motion of the electronic pen 1 detected by the motion detecting function portion to the position detecting sensor side, as additional information, it can be transmitted by the interaction with the position detecting sensor based on the first function portion, or can be transmitted by the above-described close proximity wireless communication portion or the like.

[0109] In addition, the pressure detecting portions 53, 63 are configured as variable capacitors that detect pressure as a change in electrostatic capacitance, but can be configured to detect a change in inductance or resistance according to applied pressure.

[0110] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the power supply voltage for the control circuit IC is rectified from the alternating current energy obtained by electromagnetic induction coupling, but a battery (including a rechargeable battery) can be mounted.

[0111] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the position indication function section constituting the first function section 5 is configured to interact with the position detection sensor in an electromagnetic induction manner, but can be configured to interact with the position detection sensor in an electrostatic capacity manner (active electrostatic capacity). In this case, in the case where the second function section is provided as a position indication function section for canceling, the second function section can also be configured to interact with the position detection sensor in an electrostatic capacity manner (active electrostatic capacity). However, in the case where the position detection sensor on the position detection sensor side is provided as an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor and an electrostatic capacity type position detection sensor, it can also be a structure in which the position indication function section of the first function section and the second position indication function section interact in different manners.

[0112] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the member for coupling is a structure of one metal pipe 23, but for example, can be constituted by a plurality of members by longitudinally dividing the metal pipe 23. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal pipe is longitudinally divided to form two half pipe members 23A and 23B having a semicircular arc shape in cross section. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, one half pipe member 23A is inserted and fitted into the front end side housing 21, and the other half pipe member 23B is inserted and fitted into the tail end side housing 22. Figure 6 Figure 7

[0113] Then, one half pipe member 23A of the front end side housing 21 is inserted into the tail end side housing 22, and the other half pipe member 23B of the tail end side housing 22 is inserted into the front end side housing 21 to be coupled in a manner of one metal pipe, so that the front end side housing 21 and the tail end side housing 22 can be coupled to form the pen case 2.

[0114] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0115] 1...electronic pen, 2...pen case, 3...lead body, 4...tail end cap member, 5...first function section, 5M...first main section, 6M...second main section, 5CB...first circuit board section, 6...second function section, 6CB...second circuit board section, 7...circuit board, 8...board support, 21...front end side housing, 22...tail end side housing, 23...metal pipe, 53, 63...pressure detection section, 55-57...switch (side switch), 81...circuit board placement section, 82, 83...pressure detection section holding section, 91-93...operation section.​​

Claims

1. An electronic pen comprising a pen casing formed by joining a cylindrical front-end shell made of resin and a cylindrical rear-end shell made of resin in the axial direction, characterized in that, have: A first functional unit for position indication is disposed within the front end housing; A second functional unit is disposed within the tail-end side housing; and The connecting component is configured as a cylindrical shape with a predetermined length in the axial direction. It is used to connect the front-end housing and the tail-end housing to form the pen shell by inserting one side in the axial direction into the connecting side of the front-end housing and the tail-end housing, and inserting the other side in the axial direction into the connecting side of the tail-end housing and the front-end housing.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit components disposed within the hollow portion of the pen casing and the circuit board on which the circuit components are disposed are located within the hollow portion of the connecting member.

3. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting component is in a non-contact state with the circuit components disposed in the hollow part of the pen shell and the circuit board on which the circuit components are disposed.

4. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting member is inserted in such a state that the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical part is in contact with the inner wall of the connecting side of the front end housing and the inner wall of the connecting side of the tail end housing, thereby connecting the front end housing and the tail end housing to form the pen shell.

5. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first functional unit includes a first main functional unit and a first circuit board portion on which circuit components for the first functional unit are mounted; the second functional unit includes a second main functional unit and a second circuit board portion on which circuit components for the second functional unit are mounted. In the axial direction within the pen casing, the first main portion of the first functional part and the second main portion of the second functional part are disposed in a position not covered by the connecting member.

6. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, An operating section operable by the user is provided on the outer peripheral side of the front-end housing. The first circuit board portion within the front-end housing includes a switch that changes according to the operation of the operating unit. The operating part and the switch are disposed on the front side of the front end housing, outside the portion into which the connecting member is inserted, in the axial direction of the front end housing.

7. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second functional unit is also configured for position indication.

8. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first main part of the first functional unit includes a first pressure detection unit for detecting pressure applied to the front end side, and the second main part of the second functional unit includes a second pressure detection unit for detecting pressure applied to the tail end side.

9. The electronic pen according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first pressure detection unit is configured to perform detection at a higher resolution than the second pressure detection unit.

10. The input device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first pressure detection unit is configured to perform detection with higher sensitivity than the second pressure detection unit.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connecting component is arranged to cover the circuit components and circuit board of the second circuit board portion.

12. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first circuit board portion and the second circuit board portion are disposed on a single circuit board.

13. The electronic pen according to claim 7, characterized in that, A control circuit section for controlling the first circuit board section and the second circuit board section is formed on the circuit board.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end edge of the front end housing and the end edge of the tail end housing are joined together in a mating state.

15. The electronic pen according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the maximum diameter of the portion of the front end housing that houses the first main part of the first functional part is set to R1, the inner diameter of the connecting member is set to R2, and the maximum diameter of the portion of the tail end housing that houses the second main part of the second functional part is set to R3, the values ​​are set to R2 > R1 > R3.

16. The electronic pen according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the first main part of the first functional part and the second main part of the second functional part have a coil wound on a magnetic core, and a first capacitor that forms a resonant circuit with the coil of the first functional part is provided on the first circuit board part, and a second capacitor that forms a resonant circuit with the coil of the second functional part is provided on the second circuit board part.

17. The electronic pen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The front end of the front end housing is formed into a tapered shape that gradually tapers at the front and has an opening on the front end. A core having a front end protruding outward from the opening is mounted on the first main part of the first functional part.

18. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting component is made of metal tubing.

19. The electronic pen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tubular connecting member is composed of multiple members that are divided circumferentially in the tubular shape.

20. The electronic pen according to claim 2, characterized in that, The circuit board is mounted on a boat-shaped substrate support.

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