Electronic pen

Abstract

To realize an electronic pen that is miniaturized, has excellent portability, has a side switch that functions stably, and is easy to maintain.SOLUTION: A pusher portion 16a of an electronic pen main body 1 is inserted into an insertion portion 32 of a push-down operator 3, whereby the push-down operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 in a state of being fitted into an operator opening portion 22 of an outer casing 2. The operator opening portion 22 of the outer casing 2 is provided at a position on a side surface corresponding to a button switch 18 of the electronic pen main body 1 when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded and fixed at a fixed position. Thus, the button switch 18 can be reliably depressed through the push-down operator 3, and a side switch in the electronic pen is realized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic pen that enables input of information by specifying coordinates to a position detection device mounted on an electronic device such as a tablet PC (Personal Computer). [Background technology]

[0002] For example, some electronic devices, such as tablet PCs (Personal Computers) and high-function mobile phone terminals known as smartphones, are equipped with a position detection device that allows users to input instructions using an electronic pen in order to perform more detailed drawing input. In view of the use of tablet PCs and high-function mobile phone terminals, which are often used while being carried around, it is being considered to make electronic pens thinner so that they are more suitable for portability.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1, described below, discloses an invention relating to an electronic pen body that has the same shape and size as a commercially available ballpoint pen refill (refill lead). This electronic pen body can be set into the housing of a ballpoint pen, making it convenient to carry around and enabling an electronic pen that can be used in the same way as a ballpoint pen. It has also been considered to enable the use of a so-called side switch in an electronic pen that is realized by setting such an electronic pen body into the housing of a ballpoint pen. A side switch in an electronic pen refers to a push switch provided on the side of the electronic pen so that it can be pressed with a finger while holding the electronic pen.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, two terminals are provided on the side of the electronic pen body, and a side switch is realized that turns on when these terminals are connected via an operator provided on the side of the housing, and turns off when the connection is released. Because the on / off switching is performed by connecting / disconnecting the terminals, a side switch can also be realized in devices such as so-called knock-type ballpoint pens, where the electronic pen body is extended or retracted from the housing by knocking. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 043214 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, due to its structure, it is conceivable that for some reason, the two terminals on the electronic pen body may not be reliably connected by the actuator on the housing of the ballpoint pen. For example, if the positional relationship between the two terminals and the actuator is misaligned, or if small particles of dust get between the terminals and the actuator, it may be impossible to properly establish an electrical connection between the terminals. In such cases, the function of the side switch cannot be reliably realized.

[0007] In the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operator is attached to the housing of the ballpoint pen, but once attached, it is difficult to remove. The operator provided on the electronic pen needs to be designed so that it does not easily come off the housing of the ballpoint pen during use. However, it is desirable that the operator can be easily removed as needed, for example, for maintenance of the electronic pen.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen that is slim and highly portable, has a side switch that functions stably, and is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic pen body having a circuit board with a switch; an outer housing that houses the electronic pen main body; an operation unit provided on a side surface of the outer housing and arranged directly above the switch; a pressing portion disposed between the switch and the operation portion, The operating portion is provided with a recess with which at least a part of the pressing portion abuts. The present invention provides an electronic pen characterized by the above features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic pen according to an embodiment, the portion being centered on a button switch portion, when the electronic pen is cut in half along the axis. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a button switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment, taken along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the electronic pen. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit when the electronic pen of the embodiment is configured as an active capacitance type. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The electronic pen according to the present invention can be applied to an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen, and also to an active capacitance type electronic pen. For simplicity, the electronic pen according to the present invention will be described below first as an example of an application to an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen.

[0012] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic pen according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pen according to this embodiment includes an electronic pen main body 1, an outer housing 2, a depression operator 3 for operating a button switch (described later) provided on the electronic pen main body 1, and an overload absorbing unit 4.

[0013] The electronic pen main body 1 is equipped with an electronic pen function and comprises a core 11, a ferrite core 12, a coil 13, a pen pressure detection unit 14, and an inner housing 15. The core 11 is rod-shaped and comprises a pen tip portion and a shaft portion extending from the bottom surface of the pen tip portion toward the rear end. The ferrite core 12 is pipe-shaped with a through-hole passing through the central axis, and the shaft portion of the core 11 is inserted into the through-hole. The coil 13 is formed by winding an insulated conductor around a predetermined portion of the side surface of the ferrite core 12.

[0014] The writing pressure detection unit 14 has a variable capacitance capacitor inside, and the shaft of the core 11 that passes through the through hole of the ferrite core 12 abuts against the variable capacitance capacitor, allowing it to be pressed by the core 11. The core 11 is capable of sliding movement in the axial direction, and can be pushed in and out of the through hole of the ferrite core 12. The writing pressure detection unit 14 detects the writing pressure applied to the core 11 based on the capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor, which changes in response to the pressure applied by the core 11.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner housing 15 has a so-called half-pipe shape with an opening at the top, and is equipped with a circuit board on which a button switch (described later) is provided, as well as a pusher member 16 to which a depressing operator 3 is attached. The pusher member 16, which will be described in detail later, is composed of a pusher portion 16a and a fixed portion 16b. The fixed portion 16b is fixed to the rear end side of the inner housing 15, thereby fixing the pusher member 16 to the electronic pen main body 1. The pusher portion 16a is rod-shaped and extends toward the pen tip so as to pass over the top of the button switch provided on the circuit board without touching the electronic pen main body 1. In other words, the pusher portion 16a extends rod-shaped (rail-shaped) toward the tip side, as if floating above the circuit board mounted on the inner housing 15.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer housing 2 is a hollow cylindrical body tapered toward the pen tip (tip end). The tip end face of the outer housing 2 forms a tip opening 21 through which the pen tip portion of the core 11 protrudes, and the rear end face forms a loading opening 23 for loading the electronic pen body 1. Furthermore, a side face of the outer housing 2 is provided with an operator opening 22 at a position corresponding to a button switch provided on the electronic pen body 1 when the electronic pen body 1 is loaded and positioned in a fixed position within the outer housing. In other words, the operator opening 22 is provided on the side face at a position where the button switch provided on the electronic pen body 1 can be pressed. The operator opening 22 has the same shape as the top face of the press-down operator 3, but its size is slightly larger than the top face of the press-down operator 3 so that the press-down operator 3 can be fitted in.

[0017] When viewed from above, the depressing operator 3 has a rectangular shape with the short sides formed as arcs (a substantially oval shape). The depressing operator 3, as will be described in detail later, has a wall extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen when fitted into the operator opening 22, resulting in thickness. The depressing operator 3 also has an insertion portion in the axial direction that is a downward recess with the bottom open, leaving the left and right walls. Therefore, when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded through the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2 with the depressing operator 3 fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2, the pusher portion 16 a of the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1 is inserted into the insertion portion of the depressing operator 3.

[0018] As a result, the press operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a while fitted in the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2, and is prevented from coming off the electronic pen. As described above, the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 is provided at a position on the side surface of the outer housing 2 corresponding to the button switch on the circuit board when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 and fixed in place. Therefore, by pressing the press operator 3 fitted in the operator opening 22, it is possible to press the button switch provided on the circuit board of the electronic pen main body 1. Note that, by releasing the pressure on the press operator 3, the rod-shaped pusher portion 16a acts as a leaf spring with the fixed portion 16b as a fulcrum, returning the press operator 3 to its original position, as will be described in detail later.

[0019] The overload absorbing unit 4 has a movable part 42 slidably attached to an elastic body housing part 41 that houses, for example, a coil spring as an elastic body. In a normal state where no pressure is applied to the movable part 42 in the rear end direction indicated by arrow a, the movable part 42 is pushed out of the elastic body housing part 41, as shown in FIG. 1, and the coil spring of the elastic body housing part 41 is in a compressible state. In this embodiment, in a normal state, the coil spring of the elastic body housing part 41 is not compressed even when a pressure of less than 300 grams is applied in the direction indicated by arrow a. However, when a pressure of 300 grams or more is applied to the movable part 42 in the rear end direction indicated by arrow a in this example, the coil spring of the elastic body housing part 41 is gradually compressed in response to the pressure, and the movable part 42 is pushed into the elastic body housing part 41.

[0020] In this embodiment of the electronic pen, the electronic pen body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 so that the pen tip portion of the core 11 protrudes from the tip opening 21 of the outer housing 2. The overload absorbing unit 4 is loaded through the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2 so that the tip surface of the movable portion contacts the rear end surface of the electronic pen body 1 loaded in the outer housing 2, and is fixed to the outer housing 2. This positions the electronic pen body 1 at a predetermined position within the outer housing 2. When the electronic pen is not in use, the movable portion 42 of the overload absorbing unit 4 is pushed out of the elastic body housing 41 as shown in FIG. 1, maintaining the pen tip portion of the core 11 of the electronic pen body 1 protruding from the tip opening 21. This state is maintained even when the electronic pen is in use as long as the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the pen tip portion of the core 11 is less than 300 g (grams).

[0021] However, when the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the pen tip portion of the core body 11 exceeds 300 g, the coil spring of the elastic body housing portion 41 is pressed by the electronic pen main body portion 1 via the movable portion 42 of the overload absorbing portion 4, causing it to be compressed (contracted), and the movable portion 42 is pushed into the elastic body housing portion 41. In response, the electronic pen main body portion 1 also slides toward the rear end, and the pen tip portion of the core body 11 is housed within the outer housing 2. In other words, the electronic pen of this embodiment can be used without any problems as long as the writing pressure applied to the pen tip portion of the core body 11 is less than 300 g. However, when the writing pressure exceeds 300 g, the pen tip portion of the core body 11 slides into the outer housing 2 and is housed therein, making it unusable.

[0022] As described above, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, the electronic pen body 1 is capable of sliding movement within the outer housing 2 in response to the writing pressure applied to the pen tip of the core 11. This prevents the electronic pen from applying an excessive load of 300 g or more to the operation surface of a tablet PC or a highly functional mobile phone terminal. Therefore, the electronic pen of this embodiment is suitable as an electronic pen for use with a fillable terminal or the like that does not allow a protective member such as tempered glass to be provided on the operation surface.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment, centered on a button switch, when the electronic pen is cut in half along the axis. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the button switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment, cut in a direction perpendicular to the axis. In FIG. 2, FIG. 2(A) shows a state in which the pen tip portion of the core body 11 protrudes from the tip opening 21 of the outer housing 2. FIG. 2(B) shows a state in which a writing pressure of 300 g or more is applied to the pen tip portion of the core body 11, the electronic pen main body 1 moves rearward, and the pen tip portion of the core body 11 is stored in the outer housing 2. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic pen cut along the axis at the position indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 3, and therefore does not show a wall portion 31 (described later) of the pressing operation unit 3.

[0024] 2(A) and 2(B), a double-sided circuit board 17 is mounted and fixed on inner housing 15 of electronic pen main body 1, which is fitted inside cylindrical outer housing 2. Circuit board 17 is mounted with various electronic components, such as a capacitor and a control IC, as well as a button switch 18 that is pressed by the user. In this embodiment, button switch 18 is off when not pressed and is turned on when pressed.

[0025] A pusher portion 16a is provided above the button switch 18. The pusher portion 16a is a rod-shaped portion extending toward the pen tip so as to pass above the button switch 18 without touching the electronic pen main body 1. A recess is formed on the surface of the pusher portion 16a facing the circuit board 17 in a portion that may come into contact with electronic components other than the button switch 18 on the circuit board 17 when pressed. This prevents the pusher portion 16a from coming into contact with the electronic components even when pressed and approaching the circuit board 17. In addition, a protrusion 16t on the pen tip side of the surface of the pusher portion 16a facing the circuit board 17 functions as a stopper to prevent the pusher portion 16a from descending more than necessary. The pusher portion 16a is attached with the pusher 3, which is fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 as described above.

[0026] As described above, the pressing operator 3 has a rectangular shape with the short sides curved in an arc on the top surface, and when fitted into the operator opening 22, has a wall portion 31 extending in the direction indicated by the arrow b, which is a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen, as shown in FIG. 3. The pressing operator 3 has an insertion portion 32 that is recessed along the axial direction, with the walls 31 remaining on the left and right sides, as shown in FIG. 3. The insertion portion 32 has a T-shaped cross section because the opening side is narrower. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the presser portion 16a of the electronic pen body 1 has a T-shaped cross section that is slightly smaller than the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3.

[0027] For this reason, when assembling the electronic pen, first, the depressing operator 3 is fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2. Next, the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 is positioned on the side of the depressing operator 3, and the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 through the loading opening 23. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 of the depressing operator 3, and the depressing operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a.

[0028] That is, the pusher portion 16a, which has a T-shaped cross section slightly smaller than the insertion portion 32, is inserted into the insertion portion 32, which has a T-shaped cross section of the pusher 3. As a result, the pusher 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a so as not to come off, as shown in FIG. 3. When the state shown in FIG. 3 is viewed from the side of the electronic pen, it becomes the state shown in FIG. 2(A). In this state, by pressing the pusher 3, it becomes possible to press the button switch 18 provided on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen main body 1.

[0029] 2(A), suppose that a writing pressure of 300 g or more is applied to the pen tip of core 11 of electronic pen body 1, causing the entire electronic pen body 1 to slide toward the rear end as shown in FIG. 2(B). In this case, because depressing operator 3 is fitted into operator opening 22 of outer housing 2, it does not move relative to outer housing 2. However, as shown by the dotted arrows in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the sliding movement of electronic pen body 1 causes button switch 18 to move toward the rear end with respect to the center position of depressing operator 3 in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] 2(B), even if the electronic pen body 1 slides rearward, the pusher 16a simply moves rearward within the insertion portion 32 of the push-down operator 3, and therefore the push-down operator 3 does not come off the pusher 16a of the electronic pen body 1. Therefore, the push-down operator 3 remains attached to the pusher 16a while remaining fitted in the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2. Therefore, even if an overload of 300 g or more is applied to the core 11 and the electronic pen body 1 slides rearward, the push-down operator 3 can remain stably attached to the electronic pen.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the press operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a, and as shown in Fig. 2(A), the center of the press operator 3 in the longitudinal direction is positioned above the button switch 18 mounted on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen body portion 1. In this case, when the press operator 3 is pressed, as described above, the button switch 18 can be pressed via the press operator 3 and the pusher portion 16a. Furthermore, when the pressing operation on the press operator 3 is released, the pusher portion 16a acts as a leaf spring, causing the pusher portion 16a to return to its original position before being pressed. As a result, the pusher portion 16a pushes up the press operator 3, returning the press operator 3 to its original position before being pressed.

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an electronic pen according to this embodiment. Figure 4(A) shows the inside of the electronic pen with the outer housing 2 and the pressing operator 3 of the electronic pen cut in half in the axial direction and the front part removed. Figure 4(B) shows only the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1. Figure 4(C) shows the pusher member 16 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow c in Figure 4(B).

[0033] As described above and as shown in Fig. 4(A), the electronic pen main body 1 and the overload absorbing unit 4 are mounted inside the outer housing 2. The electronic pen main body 1 includes a core 11, a ferrite core 12, a coil 13, a pen pressure detecting unit 14, an inner housing 15, and a plunger member 16. The inner housing 15 houses a circuit board 17 on which electronic components such as a button switch 18, a capacitor, and a control IC are mounted.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the pusher member 16 is L-shaped when viewed from the side and consists of a pusher portion 16a and a fixed portion 16b. That is, the pusher member 16 has a shape in which the rear end of the pusher portion 16a is connected to the upper end of the fixed portion 16b. When the pusher member 16 is viewed from the direction indicated by arrow c in Figure 4(B), as shown in Figure 4(C), the fixed portion 16b is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and the T-shaped rod-like pusher portion 16a is provided in the center of the upper end of this fixed portion 16b.

[0035] The pusher member 16 is fixed to the electronic pen main body 1 by inserting the fixed portion 16b into slits provided, for example, on the left and right sides of the rear end of the inner housing 15. The pusher member 16 is formed, for example, from a hard resin such as plastic, and at least the pusher portion 16a has elastic force in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction, with the fixed portion 16b as a fulcrum. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(B), when the pusher portion 16a is pressed as indicated by arrow d, the pusher portion 16a moves downward in the direction indicated by arrow e, with the fixed portion 16b as a fulcrum, and presses the button switch 18. When the pressure on the pusher portion 16a in the direction indicated by arrow d is released, an elastic force acts on the pusher portion 16a in the direction indicated by arrow f, and the pusher portion 16a returns to its original position.

[0036] In this way, the pusher member 16 functions as a so-called leaf spring, with the fixed portion 16b as the fulcrum, lowering when the pusher portion 16a is pressed and returning to its original position due to its elastic force when the press is released. As a result, a side switch provided on the side of the electronic pen, which is operated by the user of the electronic pen, is realized by the button switch 18 on the circuit board of the electronic pen main body 1, the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1, and the press operator 3. The side switch of the electronic pen in this embodiment turns on when pressed and turns off when the press is released.

[0037] 5 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen according to this embodiment. The electronic pen according to this embodiment includes a resonant circuit configured by connecting in parallel a coil (inductor) 13, a capacitor (capacitor) Cf, a pen pressure detection unit 14 configured as a variable capacitor, and a frequency-changing capacitor C1. The electronic pen according to this embodiment also includes a button switch 18 for switching whether or not the frequency-changing capacitor C1 is connected to the resonant circuit. Simply put, button switch 18 is turned on when contacts 18a and 18b are connected, and turned off when they are disconnected.

[0038] As a result, the connection / disconnection of the capacitor C1 to the resonant circuit can be switched by turning on / off the button switch 18 via the push-down operator 3. Therefore, the frequency of the signal generated by the resonant circuit can be changed depending on whether the capacitor C1 is connected to the resonant circuit or not, and the position detection device can be notified of two states: when the capacitor C1 is connected to the resonant circuit and when it is not.

[0039] The electromagnetic induction method indicates a position by transmitting and receiving a magnetic field between a position detection device and an electronic pen. Specifically, the position detection device includes a sensor unit with multiple loop coils arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. A transmission period, in which power is sequentially supplied to the multiple loop coils of the sensor unit to generate a magnetic field, is alternated with a reception period, in which power supply is stopped and an external magnetic field is received. The corresponding electronic pen, as described above, includes a resonant circuit consisting of a coil and a capacitor. In response to the magnetic field from the sensor unit, a current flows through the coil, generating a magnetic field (signal). This magnetic field, together with writing pressure information, is transmitted to the position detection sensor. The position detection device receives this signal during the reception period, enabling it to detect the position and writing pressure indicated by the electronic pen.

[0040] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, a side switch of the electronic pen is configured to include the depressing operator 3, the pusher member 16, and the button switch 18, thereby realizing a side switch that can be reliably operated and functions stably. In this case, the depressing operator 3 is fitted into the operator opening 22 provided on the side of the outer housing 2, and the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded through the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2, thereby attaching the depressing operator 3 to the pusher member 16a of the electronic pen main body 1. This makes it possible to easily attach the depressing operator 3 to the electronic pen main body 1 and realize a side switch. Furthermore, even when the electronic pen is configured by loading the electronic pen main body 1 into the outer housing 2, a side switch that functions stably can be provided.

[0041] Furthermore, when the electronic pen main body 1 is removed from the outer housing 2, the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 comes out of the insertion portion 32 of the pusher 3 fitted in the opening 22 for the operator, so that the pusher 3 can be easily removed from the electronic pen. In other words, an electronic pen that can be easily assembled and disassembled and is easy to maintain can be realized.

[0042] [Modifications, etc.] In the above-described embodiment, the pressing operator 3 has been described as having the insertion portion 32 which is a T-shaped recess with an opening on the lower side, but this is not limited to this. The shape of the insertion portion 32 can be various. The cross-sectional shape of the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 is determined accordingly. The key point is that when the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3, it does not easily come off.

[0043] Therefore, the insertion portion 32 of the push-down operator 3 may be configured to have a closed through-hole without an opening on the lower side, rather than a recess. In this case, the push-down portion 16a of the push-down member 16 may have a shape similar to the shape of the insertion portion 32 of the push-down operator 3. In this case, the push-down operator 3 presses down the button switch 18, and the push-down member 16 acts as a leaf spring for returning the push-down operator 3.

[0044] Furthermore, the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment is provided with an overload absorbing section 4 at the rear end of the electronic pen body 1, so that when a pressure of 300 grams or more is applied to the core 11, the electronic pen body 1 slides and the pen tip of the core 11 is stored in the outer housing 2. The reference value of overload in this case is not limited to 300 g, but can be various values. Furthermore, this invention can be applied even when a knock-type mechanism for extending the electronic pen body 1 is provided instead of the overload absorbing section 4. This is because the configuration in which the electronic pen body 1 slides is the same.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the button switch provided on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen body 1 is described as being turned on when pressed and turned off when not pressed, but this is not limiting. It is also possible to use a so-called toggle-type button switch, which turns on when pressed and maintains this state, and turns off when pressed again and maintains this state.

[0046] This invention can also be applied to an active capacitance type electronic pen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit when the electronic pen of this invention is configured as an active capacitance type. The core body 56 is configured as an electrode core made of a conductor, for example, a hard resin mixed with conductive metal or conductive powder. In the following description, the core body 56 will be referred to as the electrode core 56. The electronic circuit formed on the circuit board has the configuration shown in FIG. 6. That is, the circuit configuration includes a signal transmission circuit 51, an electric double layer capacitor 52 as an example of a storage element that generates a drive voltage (power supply voltage) for driving the signal transmission circuit 51, a rectifying diode 53, and a voltage conversion circuit 54. In this example, the signal transmission circuit 51 is configured as an oscillator circuit.

[0047] As in the case of the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, electrode core 56 is inserted through the through-hole of the ferrite core so as to be able to press writing pressure detection unit 57. Electrode core 56 is electrically connected to signal transmission circuit 51 on the circuit board by connection wire 55. Writing pressure detection unit 57 is electrically connected to signal transmission circuit 51 formed on the circuit board, as shown in FIG. 6. An oscillator circuit constituting signal transmission circuit 51 generates a signal whose frequency changes according to the electrostatic capacitance of writing pressure detection unit 57, which is constituted by a variable capacitor, and supplies the generated signal to electrode core 56.

[0048] Furthermore, a capacitor C2 and a button switch 58 are connected in parallel to the signal transmission circuit 51. The side switch, including the button switch 58, is configured in the same manner as in the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment. That is, the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is the configuration of an active capacitance type electronic pen main body that is mounted in the outer housing 2. In the case of this active capacitance type electronic pen main body, a pusher member 16 is provided, as in the case of the above-described electronic pen. This makes it possible to configure an active capacitance type electronic pen in which a press operator fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 is attached to the pusher member 16, and the button switch 58 can be pressed via the press operator and the pusher member 16a.

[0049] In the capacitance-type electronic pen, the position detection device is equipped with a sensor unit having multiple linear conductors (line electrodes) arranged in each of the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the pointed position is detected according to changes in the capacitance (charge) generated in the linear conductors. Therefore, in the case of an active capacitance-type electronic pen, a signal generated by a signal generating circuit mounted on the active capacitance-type electronic pen is transmitted together with writing pressure information, which is received by the position detection device to detect the pointed position and writing pressure. Furthermore, the frequency of the signal transmitted from the active capacitance-type electronic pen can be changed according to the on / off state of the button switch 58, so that the on / off state of the button switch 58 can also be instructed to the position detection device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...electronic pen main body, 11...core body, 12...ferrite core, 13...coil, 14...pen pressure detection section, 15...inner housing, 16...push member, 16a...push member, 16b...fixed section, 17...circuit board, 18...button switch, 2...outer housing, 21...tip opening, 22...opening for operator, 23...loading opening, 3...pressing operator, 31...wall section, 32...insertion section, 4...overload absorbing section, 41...elastic body storage section, 42...movable section

Claims

1. an electronic pen body having a circuit board with a switch; an outer housing that houses the electronic pen main body; an operation unit provided on a side surface of the outer housing and arranged directly above the switch; a pressing portion disposed between the switch and the operation portion, The operating portion is provided with a recess with which at least a part of the pressing portion abuts. An electronic pen characterized by:

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , When the operation portion is pressed, the pressing portion presses the switch of the electronic pen body portion. An electronic pen characterized by:

3. 3. The electronic pen according to claim 2, When the operating portion is released, the pressing portion functions as a leaf spring, and the pressing portion and the operating portion return to their pre-pressed states, thereby releasing the switch. An electronic pen characterized by:

4. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , When the operation part is pressed, the switch of the electronic pen body part is pressed by the operation part attached to the pressing part. An electronic pen characterized by:

5. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , further comprising: an overload absorbing section disposed on a rear end side of the electronic pen main body section housed in the outer housing; a pen tip of the electronic pen body protruding from a tip end of the outer casing; When a writing pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the pen tip, the electronic pen body slides rearward due to the function of the overload absorbing section, and the pen tip is housed within the outer housing. An electronic pen characterized by:

6. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The operation portion includes a wall portion extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen, and the recess portion is formed between the wall portions. An electronic pen characterized by:

7. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The recess and the pressing portion each have a T-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the electronic pen. An electronic pen characterized by:

8. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The pressing portion is a part of a pressing member including a fixing portion fixed to the rear end side of the electronic pen body, and the pressing portion and the fixing portion form an L-shape when viewed from the side of the electronic pen. An electronic pen characterized by:

9. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The electronic pen is characterized in that the switch is a button switch.

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