Electronic pen and body for electronic pen

Abstract

To provide a slim electronic pen body capable of reliably detecting an instruction position with a capacitive position detection sensor.SOLUTION: An electronic pen body is housed in a housing of an electronic pen, with at least a pen tip being able to protrude from one axial opening of the housing. The electronic pen body comprises a conductive first electrode whose one axial end side forms the pen tip, a signal transmission circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to at least the first electrode, a cylindrical body in which the signal transmission circuit is disposed, and a battery that is provided in the cylindrical body and supplies power supply voltage of at least the signal transmission circuit. The cylindrical body is configured so that the battery can be removed from the cylindrical body and replaced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitive electronic pen and electronic pen body that exchange signals with a position detection sensor through electric field coupling. [Background technology]

[0002] As a capacitance type electronic pen, a so-called active capacitance type electronic pen is used, which transmits and receives signals (interaction) through electric field coupling with the position detection sensor of the position detection device, thereby allowing the position indicated by the electronic pen to be detected by the position detection sensor.

[0003] This type of active capacitance type electronic pen incorporates a power supply circuit and a signal transmission circuit that use a primary or secondary battery, and has a core body made of a conductor, so that the signal from the signal transmission circuit is transmitted from the conductor core body to the position detection sensor by electrostatic coupling (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Publication No. 5687398)). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5687398 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, due to the recent trend toward miniaturization, there is a growing demand for smaller portable electronic devices as well. Electronic pens are now being used together with position detection sensors mounted on these small electronic devices, and thinner electronic pens are being demanded.

[0006] Furthermore, electronic pens have recently come to be seen as an extension of stationery, and there is a demand for their internal configuration to be modularized so that they can be handled in the same way as ballpoint pen refills (refills or cartridges).In the following of this specification, the internal components of an electronic pen that are modularized and integrated, and configured to be replaceable like ballpoint pen refills, will be referred to as the electronic pen main body.

[0007] The strength of the electric field coupling between a capacitive electronic pen and a capacitive position detection sensor is weaker than the strength of the electromagnetic induction coupling of an electromagnetic induction electronic pen. When the electronic pen body is configured as a slim refill, the strength of the electric field coupling is further weakened. Therefore, even in such a state, the capacitive position detection sensor must be configured to reliably detect the position indicated by the electronic pen.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen and an electronic pen body that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, An electronic pen body is housed in a housing of the electronic pen, and at least the pen tip is capable of protruding from one opening in the axial direction of the housing of the electronic pen, a first electrode whose one end in the axial direction becomes the pen tip; a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to at least the first electrode; a main body component in which the signal transmission circuit is disposed; a battery provided in the main body component for supplying a power supply voltage to at least the signal transmission circuit; Equipped with The main body component has a configuration in which the battery can be removed from the main body component and replaced. The present invention provides an electronic pen body having the following features.

[0010] In the electronic pen body configured as described above, a power supply voltage is supplied to the signal generating circuit from a battery provided within the body component, and a signal from this signal generating circuit is sent to the position detection sensor through a first electrode, the end of which, serving as the pen tip, protrudes from an opening in the housing of the electronic pen. The battery is conveniently removable from the body component and replaceable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic pen body according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of a first embodiment of an electronic pen body according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic pen body according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of a first embodiment of an electronic pen body according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram used to explain the operation of an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of the electronic pen main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a capacitive position detection device used together with a first embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention; [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram used to explain a method for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen in the position detection device of the example of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a second embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration of an electronic pen main body used in a third embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a third embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of another embodiment of the electronic pen body according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic pen and an electronic pen main body according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [First embodiment] The electronic pen of the first embodiment has a configuration in which the electronic pen main body, which is configured as a cartridge, is detachably housed in a cylindrical housing of the electronic pen.

[0014] Incidentally, in recent years, two-way communication electronic pens have also appeared among active capacitance type electronic pens, which receive signals from a position detection sensor that detects the position indicated by the electronic pen and transmit signals in a format based on the request of the received signal.

[0015] In this type of two-way communication electronic pen, the location of the receiver for receiving signals from the position detection sensor is important. In the case of a capacitive electronic pen, the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor is received by an electric field that can be received by capacitive coupling, and its reach is very short. Therefore, the receiver of a two-way communication electronic pen should be located close to the pen tip so that it can receive signals from the position detection sensor with high strength.

[0016] Therefore, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, the configuration of the electronic pen body is considered to be optimal for the above-mentioned two-way communication electronic pen. That is, in the embodiment described below, the electronic pen body is provided with a receiver for signals from the position detection sensor, and this receiver is composed of a peripheral electrode made of a cylindrical conductor that is provided around the periphery of the central electrode so as to cover the vicinity of the tip of the central electrode while taking into consideration electrical insulation from the central electrode made of a conductive material.

[0017] Recently, it has been proposed to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen with respect to the position detection sensor surface (the angle formed between the axial direction of the electronic pen and the position detection sensor surface; hereinafter, abbreviated as the tilt angle of the electronic pen) using a position detection device, and to reflect the detected tilt angle in the thickness of the indication trajectory (writing trace) of the electronic pen. In the electronic pen main body of the electronic pen of this embodiment, the peripheral electrodes are configured so that they can also be used to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen.

[0018] In addition, in the first embodiment, the peripheral electrode is configured to also function as a shield electrode for the central electrode that transmits the position detection signal.

[0019] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. The electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment has an electronic pen main body 3 housed in a hollow portion 2a of a cylindrical housing 2 (hereinafter referred to as pen housing 2), and has a knock-type configuration in which a knock cam mechanism 4 moves the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body 3 in and out of an opening 2b at one end of the pen housing 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] Fig. 1(A) shows a state in which the entire electronic pen body 3 is housed in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and Fig. 1(B) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 due to the knock cam mechanism 4. In the example of Fig. 1, the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is made of transparent synthetic resin, and is shown in a state in which the interior is visible through it.

[0021] The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is configured to be compatible with commercially available knock-type ballpoint pens.

[0022] The pen housing 2 and the knock cam mechanism 4 provided in the pen housing 2 have the same configuration as those of a well-known commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and are also configured with the same dimensional relationship.

[0023] 1, the knock cam mechanism 4 has a well-known configuration in which a cam body 41, a knock rod 42, and a rotor 43 are combined. The cam body 41 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pen housing 2. The knock rod 42 is configured so that its end 42a protrudes from the opening 2c on the opposite side to the pen tip side of the pen housing 2 so as to be able to receive a knock operation by the user. The rotor 43 has a fitting portion 43a into which the end of the electronic pen main body 3 on the opposite side to the pen tip side is fitted.

[0024] However, this fitting portion 43a differs from the fitting portion of the housing of a normal stationery knock-type ballpoint pen in that it has an additional configuration for electrical connection with the electronic pen body 3. That is, as will be described later, the electronic pen body 3 has a signal transmission circuit therein that generates a signal to be sent to the position detection sensor via a central electrode or a peripheral electrode, and this signal transmission circuit needs to be supplied with a power supply voltage.

[0025] In this embodiment, as will be described later, a signal transmission circuit and a power storage element that supplies power to the signal transmission circuit are provided inside the electronic pen body 3. The power storage element needs to be charged from outside the electronic pen body 3. Therefore, a terminal conductor (electrode) that connects to the power storage element is provided at the end that fits into the fitting portion 43a of the electronic pen body 3 in this embodiment, and a conductor that connects to the terminal conductor that is connected to the power storage element is formed in the fitting portion 43a. Note that the configuration of the coupling portion with the electronic pen body 3 is the same as that for coupling and attaching a ballpoint pen refill, except that an electrical configuration is added. An example configuration of the end that fits into the fitting portion 43a of the electronic pen body 3 will be described later, along with an example configuration of the fitting portion 43a.

[0026] Furthermore, the configuration of the pen housing 2 differs from that of a stationery knock-type ballpoint pen in that, in this example, charging electrodes 2d, 2e connected to conductors provided in the fitting portion 43a are formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the pen housing 2 opposite the pen tip side, as shown in Figure 1.

[0027] In the electronic pen 1 configured as described above, when the end 42a of the knock rod 42 is pressed in the state shown in Fig. 1(A), the knock cam mechanism 4 locks the electronic pen body 3 in the pen housing 2 into the state shown in Fig. 1(B), with the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 protruding from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2. When the end 42a of the knock rod 42 is pressed again from the state shown in Fig. 1(B), the knock cam mechanism 4 releases the locked state, and the return spring 5 returns the position of the electronic pen body 3 in the pen housing 2 to the state shown in Fig. 1(A). The detailed configuration and operation of the knock cam mechanism 4 are well known, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0028] [Embodiment of Electronic Pen Main Body 3] Figure 2 shows a configuration example of the electronic pen body 3 in comparison with a refill for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. That is, Figure 2(A) shows the refill 6 for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and Figure 2(B) shows the configuration example of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the electronic pen body 3 is configured to be compatible with the refill 6 for the knock-type ballpoint pen, being equivalent in size.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, Fig. 3(A) is a diagram showing its appearance, and Fig. 3(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof. Also, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the example of the configuration of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2(A), the refill 6 for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen has a well-known structure in which a pen tip section 61 with a ball at the tip and a cylindrical ink storage section 62 of a fixed outer diameter are joined together by a cylindrical joint section 63 of a fixed outer diameter to form an integrated unit. The pen tip section 61 has a cylindrical shape, and its tip side is formed in a tapered shape, with a maximum outer diameter R1 that is smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2. The joint section 63 and the ink storage section 62 have the same outer diameter R2, which is slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter R1 of the pen tip section 61, for example, R2 = 2.2 mm. The diameter R0 of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 is R1 <R0<R2とされている。

[0031] On the other hand, in the electronic pen main body 3 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(A) and (B), a peripheral electrode 33 made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal, is connected to the pen tip side of the main body cylindrical portion 31 via a cylindrical connecting member 32, thereby forming the housing 30 of the electronic pen main body 3 (hereinafter referred to as the main body housing 30).

[0032] 2(B), the cylindrical main body 31 is configured by connecting a resin pipe section 31b to the rear end side of the metal pipe section 31a, opposite the pen tip side. In this example, the cylindrical main body 31 has a peripheral electrode 33 connected to the pen tip side of the metal pipe section 31a via a cylindrical connecting member 32. The cylindrical connecting member 32 also serves as an insulator between the metal pipe section 31a and the peripheral electrode 33. The end of the electronic pen main body 3 on the resin pipe section 31b side becomes a fitting portion with a fitting portion 43a inside the pen housing 2.

[0033] 2 and 3, the peripheral electrode 33 has a cylindrical portion 33a with a constant outer diameter R2 and a tapered portion 33b that tapers gradually toward the pen tip. The metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter R2 of the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33.

[0034] The cylindrical coupling member 32 is made of an insulating material, resin in this example, and is a cylindrical body as shown in Fig. 3(B). A ring-shaped flange 32F is formed at the axial midpoint of its outer peripheral surface, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. This ring-shaped flange 32F has a predetermined width W (see Fig. 3) in the axial direction, and its end face is flush with the cylindrical main body portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33 without creating any steps, so as to form part of the main body housing 30, as shown in Figs. 3(A) and (B). In other words, the diameter of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped flange 32F is selected to be equal to the outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 33 and the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31.

[0035] The pen tip side of this cylindrical joining member 32, which is on one side of the ring-shaped flange 32F in the axial direction, is a first fitting cylindrical portion 32a that fits with the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33. The outer diameter of the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of this cylindrical joining member 32 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33, and the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33 is configured to be press-fitted into the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical joining member 32 up to the ring-shaped flange 32F and joined.

[0036] Further, the axially rearward portion of the cylindrical connecting member 32 from the ring-shaped flange 32F is a second cylindrical fitting portion 32b that fits with the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical fitting portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31, and the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31 is configured to be press-fitted into the second cylindrical fitting portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32 up to the ring-shaped flange 32F and joined.

[0037] When the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33 are inserted into, fitted with, and joined to the cylindrical joining member 32, a single cylindrical main body housing 30 is formed, as shown in Figs. 2(B) and 1(A) and (B). At this time, as described above, the outer circumferential surfaces of the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31, the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral electrode 33, and the end face of the ring-shaped flange portion 32F of the cylindrical joining member 32 are flush with each other. The metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31 and the peripheral electrode 33, both made of a conductive material, are electrically isolated (insulated) from each other and do not come into contact with each other due to the presence of the ring-shaped flange portion 32F of the cylindrical joining member 32.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3(B), a hollow portion 30a exists inside the main body housing 30. A front cap 34 made of an insulating material is attached to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 of the main body housing 30, as shown in Figs. 2(B) and 3(A) and (B). The front cap 34 has an opening 34a (see Fig. 3(B)) at its tip end that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the center electrode 35, and the opening 34a communicates with the hollow portion 30a of the main body housing 30.

[0039] The center electrode 35 constitutes the core of the electronic pen main body 3 in this embodiment and is made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the center electrode 35 is inserted into the main body housing 30 through the opening 34a of the front cap 34, and the end opposite the pen tip side is detachably attached to the core holding member 7, which will be described later.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3(B), the core body 35 made of a conductive material and the peripheral electrode 33 are electrically separated (insulated) by a front cap 34 made of an insulating material. In the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, when the center electrode 35 is attached, the peripheral electrode 33 is arranged so as to surround the rear end side of the tip portion 35a, which becomes the pen tip of the center electrode 35, as shown in Fig. 3(B). In the following description, the center electrode 35 will be referred to as the core body 35.

[0041] In this example, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the dimensions of the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3 are configured to be approximately equal to the dimensions of the pen tip side of the ballpoint pen refill 6. In other words, the outer diameters of the main body tubular portion 31 of the main body housing 30 and the cylindrical portion 33a of the peripheral electrode 33 are made equal to the outer diameter R2 of the ink storage portion 62 and the connecting portion 63 of the refill 6 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, as shown in Figure 2(B).

[0042] The tapered portion 33b on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 of the main body housing 30 has a diameter that gradually decreases as it approaches the pen tip side, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(B), the diameter from the midpoint of the tapered portion 33b in the axial direction to the pen tip side is configured to be less than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b on the pen tip side of the pen housing 2.

[0043] When the core body 35 is inserted into the electronic pen main body 3 through the opening 34a of the front cap 34 and attached, the length from the tip of the core body 35 to the position where the outer diameter of the tapered portion 33b of the peripheral electrode 33 becomes diameter R1 is configured to be approximately equal to the axial length L1 of the pen tip portion 61 of the refill 6 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the length (total length) of the electronic pen body 3 with the lead 35 attached is set equal to the total length L2 of the refill 6 of the ballpoint pen.

[0045] The electronic pen main body 3 configured as described above can be stored in the pen housing 2 by fitting its cylindrical main body portion 31 into the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism 4. When using the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment together with a position detection device, the user presses down the end portion 42a of the knock rod 42. Then, in the electronic pen 1, the tip portion 35a of the core body 35, a portion of the front cap 34, and a portion of the pen tip side of the tapered portion 33b of the peripheral electrode 33 protrude outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2, as shown in FIG.

[0046] That is, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1(B), not only the tip of the core 35 attached to the electronic pen main body 3 but also a part of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 configured to surround the periphery of the core 35 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. In this state, the user of the electronic pen 1 performs an input operation of a pointed position on the position detection sensor of the position detection device.

[0047] When use of the electronic pen 1 is finished, by again pressing the end 42a of the knock rod 42, the entire electronic pen body 3 can be accommodated in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, as shown in Figure 1(A). At this time, the entire electronic pen body 3 is accommodated in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and the tip portion 35a of the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 is protected by the pen housing 2.

[0048] As shown by dotted lines in Figures 2(B) and 3(A), within the hollow portion 30a of the main body housing 30, a core holding member 7, a pen pressure detection unit 8, a printed circuit board 9 on which a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 10 as an example of a storage element for supplying power voltage are housed and arranged in a line in the axial direction from the pen tip side.

[0049] In this embodiment, the hollow portion 30a of the main body housing 30 accommodates a board holder 300 having a board mounting base portion 301 on which a printed circuit board 9 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 3(B).

[0050] The board holder 300 is made of insulating resin and has a pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 for housing and holding the pen pressure detection unit 8 on the opposite side from the board mounting base 301 in the longitudinal direction, which is the axial direction of the electronic pen main body 3. As shown in FIG. 3(B), when the board holder 300 is housed in the hollow portion of the main body housing 30, the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 and the board mounting base 301 are continuous in the longitudinal direction, which is the axial direction of the electronic pen main body 3. The pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion therein for housing multiple components of the pen pressure detection unit 8. The board mounting base 301 is boat-shaped for placing and holding the printed circuit board 9, and is shaped like a cylinder cut approximately in half in the axial direction.

[0051] The substrate holder 300 is housed in the main body housing 30 so that the writing pressure detection unit holding unit 302 faces the pen tip side. A core body holding member 7 that fits with the core body 35 and holds the core body 35 is connected to the writing pressure detection unit 8 held by the writing pressure detection unit holding unit 302, and the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the core body 35 is transmitted to the writing pressure detection unit 8.

[0052] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 is selected to be equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32. Then, as shown in Fig. 3(B), a portion of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 fits into a portion of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32, thereby connecting the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 and the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3(B), the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 is engaged and connected in the axial direction with the second engaging cylindrical portion 32b of the cylindrical connecting member 32, thereby restricting its position within the main body housing 30 so that it does not move in the axial direction.

[0054] Although not shown, both ends of the capacitor 10, which is disposed on the opposite side of the board mounting base 301 of the board holder 300 from the pen pressure detection unit holding unit 302, are electrically connected to the copper foil patterns of the power supply line and earth line of the printed circuit board 9. As a result, the voltage of the capacitor 10 is supplied to the circuit formed on the printed circuit board 9 as a power supply voltage.

[0055] In this embodiment, the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body portion 31 made of a conductive material is electrically connected to the copper foil pattern of the earth line of the printed circuit board 9.

[0056] In this embodiment, a circuit section is provided on the printed circuit board 9, which includes an IC (Integrate Circuit) 100 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) and its peripheral circuit components, which constitute a signal transmission circuit that generates signals to be sent from the core body 35 and the peripheral electrode 33 and a control circuit that controls the transmission of signals from the signal transmission circuit to the core body 35 and the peripheral electrode 33. The peripheral circuit section includes a charging circuit for the capacitor 10, although this is not shown. The charging circuit for the capacitor 10 may be provided outside the electronic pen 1.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3(B) and 4, the core body holding member 7 that fits and holds the core body 35 is composed of a conductive elastic member 71, a core body holder 72, a coil spring 73, and a conductive terminal member 74. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(B), the core body 35 is fitted into the core body holder 72 made of a conductive material via the conductive elastic member 71, and is thereby connected and held to the core body holder 72. The core body holding member 7 also serves as a member that transmits the writing pressure applied to the core body 35 to the writing pressure detection unit 8.

[0058] The core body holder 72 is fitted into the holding member 83 of the writing pressure detection unit 8 held in the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302, so that the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the core body 35 is transmitted to the writing pressure detection unit 8. In this case, the core body holder 72 is configured to be constantly biased toward the core body 35 with respect to the board holder 300 by a coil spring 73, which is an example of an elastic member made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal, provided between the core body holder 72 and the board holder 300. The coil spring 73, together with the conductive terminal member 74, constitutes an electrical connection member for transmitting a signal from the IC 100 disposed on the printed circuit board 9 to the core body 35.

[0059] 4A is an exploded perspective view of the core 35, the conductive elastic member 71, the core holder 72, the coil spring 73, the conductive terminal member 74, and the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300. FIG.

[0060] The conductive elastic member 71 is made of, for example, conductive rubber, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a through-hole 71a into which the end opposite to the tip end 35a of the core body 35 is fitted. The core body 35 side of the conductive elastic member 71 has a smaller outer diameter than other parts, making it a thin-walled portion, and is formed with a slit 712 to form a gripping portion 711 that makes it easier to grip the core body 35.

[0061] The conductive elastic member 71 is made of, for example, conductive rubber, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a through-hole 71a into which the end opposite to the tip end 35a of the core body 35 is fitted. The core body 35 side of the conductive elastic member 71 has a smaller outer diameter than other parts, making it a thin-walled portion, and is formed with a slit 712 to form a gripping portion 711 that makes it easier to grip the core body 35.

[0062] With this configuration, the core body 35 is gripped by the gripping portion 711's arc-shaped portions, which are two thin-walled portions in which the slits 712 are formed. Therefore, the core body 35 can be easily inserted and fitted into the gripping portion 711 of the conductive elastic member 71, and can be easily pulled out of the conductive elastic member 71 by pulling with a predetermined force.

[0063] The core holder 72 is made of a conductive material, such as SUS (Steel Special Use Stainless), and is integrally formed with a storage and fitting portion 721 having a recessed hole 721a for storing and fitting the conductive elastic member 71, and a rod-shaped portion 722 that fits into the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8, which will be described later.

[0064] After the conductive coil spring 73 is attached to the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 containing the conductive elastic member 71 as described above, the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 is fitted into the holding member 83 of the pen pressure detection unit 8 held in the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300.

[0065] In this case, it is necessary to consider that in the electronic pen body 3 of this embodiment, a transmission signal generated by a circuit configured on the printed circuit board 9 must be supplied to the core 35. However, since the board holder 300 and the holding member 83 of the writing pressure detection unit 8 housed in the writing pressure detection unit holding unit 302 are made of resin, which is an insulating material, an electrical connection cannot be made between the core holder 72 and the holding member 83.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, an electrical connection member is formed by a coil spring 73 made of a conductive material arranged between the core holder 72 and the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300, and a conductor terminal member 74 arranged on the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300, and this electrical connection member realizes an electrical connection for supplying signals from the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 9.

[0067] That is, in this embodiment, a conductive terminal member 74 made of a conductive material, such as SUS, is attached to the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 so as to cover the opening 302a side into which the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 is inserted, as shown in Figure 4(A).

[0068] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), this conductive terminal member 74 covers the opening 302a side of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 and has an abutment plate portion 741 with a through hole 741a through which the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 is inserted.

[0069] Also, an extension portion 742 is provided that straddles the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300 and extends to the board mounting base portion 301. When the conductive terminal member 74 is attached to the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300, as shown in FIG. 3B , a terminal portion 742a at the tip of the extension portion 742 extending from the conductive terminal member 74 abuts against a conductor on the back side of the printed circuit board 9 placed on the board mounting base portion 301 of the board holder 300, and is soldered thereto, for example. This electrically connects the conductive terminal member 74 to a signal transmission circuit provided on the printed circuit board 9.

[0070] The rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72, into which the conductive elastic member 71 is fitted, is inserted into the hollow portion of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300 through the through-hole 741a of the abutment plate portion 741 of the conductive terminal member 74, with the coil spring 73 interposed therebetween, and is fitted into the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302. The inner diameter of the coil spring 73 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72.

[0071] Therefore, the coil spring 73 elastically contacts the core body holder 72, and also abuts and elastically contacts the abutment plate portion 741 of the conductive terminal member 74. The coil spring 73 is made of a conductive material, and the conductive elastic member 71 and the core body holder 72 are conductive, so that the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core body holder 72 is electrically connected to the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 9 via the coil spring 73 and the conductive terminal member 74.

[0072] Then, as described above, the core 35 is inserted and fitted into the through-hole 71a of the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core holder 72 housed within the main body housing 30, and the core 35 is held by the core holder 72 via the conductive elastic member 71. In this state, the core 35 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 9, and a signal from the signal transmission circuit is supplied to the core 35.

[0073] Next, the configuration of the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 and the writing pressure detection unit 8, and further, the fitting of the holding member 83 of the writing pressure detection unit 8 with the core holder 72 will be described.

[0074] The pen pressure detection unit 8 is housed in the pen pressure detection unit holding unit 302 and configured as shown in Fig. 3(B), thereby forming a pen pressure detection module. The pen pressure detection module is connected to the pen pressure detection module via the pen pressure holder 72, and the pen pressure applied to the tip 35a of the pen pressure detection module is detected by the pen pressure detection unit 8 of the pen pressure detection module. In this case, the pen pressure detection module detects the pen pressure by having some of the components of the pen pressure detection unit 8 that constitute the pen pressure detection module move in the axial direction together with the pen pressure 35 and the pen pressure holder 72 in accordance with the pen pressure applied to the tip 35a of the pen pressure detection module.

[0075] The pen pressure detection unit 8 in this example uses a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes depending on the pen pressure applied to the core body 35, and as shown in Figure 3 (B), it consists of multiple parts: a dielectric 81, a terminal member 82, a holding member 83, a conductive member 84, and an elastic member 85.

[0076] With the core holder 72 fitted into the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300 as described above, the core 35 is press-fitted into the through-hole 71a of the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core holder 72. As a result, the core 35 is firmly held to the core holder 72 by the conductive elastic member 71, as described above. Note that the core 35 can be pulled out in the direction of the tip 35a from the state in which it is fitted into and held in the core holder 72, and can be replaced as described above.

[0077] In this electronic pen body 3, when pressure is applied to the tip end 35a of the core 35, the core 35 is displaced axially toward the rear end in response to the pressure, and this displacement causes the holding member 83 in the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 to displace toward the dielectric 81 against the elastic biasing force of the elastic member 85. As a result, the conductive member 84 fitted into the holding member 83 is displaced toward the dielectric 81, and the distance between the conductive member 84 and the dielectric 81, as well as the contact area between the conductive member 84 and the dielectric 81, change in response to the pressure applied to the core 35.

[0078] As a result, the capacitance of the variable capacitor formed between the terminal member 82 constituting the first electrode and the conductive member 84 constituting the second electrode changes according to the pressure applied to the core body 35. This change in capacitance of the variable capacitor is detected by the IC 100 provided on the printed circuit board 9, and the writing pressure is detected.

[0079] The pen pressure detection unit 8 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be configured, for example, with a variable capacitance capacitor made of a semiconductor chip consisting of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) elements (see, for example, Patent Document (JP 2013-161307 A)).

[0080] Next, a description will be given of the electrical connection between the peripheral electrode 33 and the circuit part of the printed circuit board 9. A recessed groove (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical joining member 32 in a direction along the axial center of the cylindrical joining member 32, from the first fitting cylindrical part 32a, through the lower part of the ring-shaped flange part 32F, to the second fitting cylindrical part 32b.

[0081] A groove (not shown) that is continuous with the groove of the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b is also formed on the peripheral side of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300. As shown in FIG. 3B, a connection terminal conductor 11 made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal, is disposed in this continuous groove. As shown in FIG. 3B, an end portion 11a of the connection terminal conductor 11 disposed in the groove on the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a side of the cylindrical coupling member 32 is disposed so that at least a portion of the end portion 11a slightly bulges out from the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a. However, the depth of the groove at the end portion 11a is configured to allow the end portion 11a to be elastically pressed downward when pressed down from above.

[0082] As a result, when the peripheral electrode 33 is fitted into the first fitting cylindrical portion 32a of the cylindrical joining member 32, the end 11a of the connection terminal conductor 11 is in reliable contact with the inner wall of the peripheral electrode 33, thereby electrically connecting the peripheral electrode 33 and the connection terminal conductor 11. The end 11b of the connection terminal conductor 11 extending toward the printed circuit board 9 is electrically connected to the back surface 9b of the printed circuit board 9, as shown in Fig. 3(B). Although not shown in the figure, the end 11b of the connection terminal conductor 11 is electrically connected to a circuit portion on the front surface of the printed circuit board 9 via a through hole.

[0083] The depth of the recessed groove in which the connection terminal conductor 11 is disposed is set to a depth that prevents contact between the connection terminal conductor 11 and the metal pipe portion 31a when the metal pipe portion 31a of the main body cylindrical portion 31 is fitted into the second fitting cylindrical portion 32b. Alternatively, an insulator may be interposed between the connection terminal conductor 11 and the metal pipe portion 31a.

[0084] 2(C), a configuration example of the rear end portion of the electronic pen body 3 opposite the pen tip side and the fitting portion 43a of the main body housing 30 will be described. In this example, the side of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the main body housing 30 that fits with the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is formed by a resin pipe portion 31b, and this resin pipe portion 31b is provided with a pair of terminal conductors that are connected to both ends of the capacitor 10. A corresponding pair of conductors is formed in the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, and the pair of conductors is electrically connected to charging electrodes 2d, 2e provided on the outer circumferential side surface of the pen housing 2 opposite the pen tip side in this example.

[0085] 2C is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the joining portion between the resin pipe portion 31b of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen main body 3 and the fitting portion 43a of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the main body housing 30.

[0086] 2(C), the fitting portion 43a has a cylindrical recess 431 into which the resin pipe portion 31b is fitted, and a center rod-shaped portion 432 that is inserted into the hollow portion of the resin pipe portion 31b at the center of the cylindrical recess 431. In this example, the diameter of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the resin pipe portion 31b, and is configured to have dimensions such that when the resin pipe portion 31b is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, the outer peripheral side surface of the resin pipe portion 31b comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a. Also, when the resin pipe portion 31b is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, the inner peripheral side surface of the resin pipe portion 31b comes into contact with the outer peripheral side surface of the center rod-shaped portion 432 of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a.

[0087] 2(C), a terminal conductor 12 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the resin pipe portion 31b of the cylindrical main body 31, and is electrically connected to one electrode terminal 10a of the capacitor 10 housed in the cylindrical main body 31. A terminal conductor 13 is formed on the inner wall surface of the resin pipe portion 31b of the cylindrical main body 31, and is electrically connected to the other electrode terminal 10b of the capacitor 10. The terminal conductor 12 and the terminal conductor 13 are electrically disconnected.

[0088] Meanwhile, a conductor 14 connected to the charging electrode 2d formed on the pen housing 2 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a. Also, a conductor 15 connected to the charging electrode 2d formed on the pen housing 2 is formed on the outer periphery of the central rod-shaped portion 432 of the cylindrical recess 431 of the fitting portion 43a. The conductor 14 and the conductor 15 are not electrically connected to each other.

[0089] In this example, the terminal conductors 12 and 13 are formed on the entire circumference of the outer circumferential side surface and the entire circumference of the inner wall surface. The conductors 14 and 15 of the fitting portion 43a are also formed on the entire circumference of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical recess 431 and the entire circumference of the outer circumferential side surface of the central rod-shaped portion 432. As a result, when the end of the resin pipe portion 31b of the tubular main body portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 43a, the terminal conductors 12 and 13 of the electronic pen body 3 are electrically connected to the conductors 14 and 15 of the fitting portion 43a regardless of the rotation angle position at which they are fitted together. It is not essential that the conductors 12, 13, 14, and 15 are formed around the entire circumference, and as long as the terminal conductors 12 and 13 of the electronic pen main body 3 are electrically connected to the conductors 14 and 15 of the mating portion 43a regardless of the rotational angle position at which they are mated with each other, there may be missing portions of the conductors in part of the circumference.

[0090] With the above configuration, when the electronic pen body 3 is fitted into the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism 4 of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, both ends of the capacitor 10 housed in the electronic pen body 3 are connected to the charging electrodes 2d, 2e of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. As a result, when the power supply voltage is not stored in the capacitor 10, the capacitor 10 is charged through the charging electrodes 2d, 2e, and a sufficient power supply voltage is stored.

[0091] [Example of electronic circuit configuration of electronic pen main body 3] Next, an example of the electrical configuration of the electronic pen main body 3 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. In this example, as shown in Fig. 5, a control circuit 101 is configured by an IC 100 mounted on a printed circuit board 9. A signal transmission circuit 102 and a signal reception circuit 103 are connected to this control circuit 101, and a variable capacitor 8C configured in the writing pressure detection unit 8 is also connected to the control circuit 101. A resistor 8R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor 8C.

[0092] The signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 102 is connected to the core 35 through the switch circuit 104. In this case, the conductive terminal member 74, the core holder 72, and the conductive elastic member 71 are interposed between the core 35 and the switch circuit 104, as described above.

[0093] In this example, the signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 102 is connected to a terminal S of the changeover switch circuit 105. The movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 105 is connected to the peripheral electrode 33. In this case, the connection terminal conductor 11 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 33 and the changeover switch circuit 105.

[0094] A terminal R of the changeover switch circuit 105 is connected to the input terminal of the signal receiving circuit 103. Furthermore, a terminal G of the changeover switch circuit 105 is connected to an earth electrode (ground electrode).

[0095] The control circuit 101 then supplies the switch circuit 104 with a control signal SW1 that controls the on / off of the switch circuit 104. The control circuit 101 also supplies the changeover switch circuit 105 with a switching control signal SW2 that switches whether the movable terminal M is connected to the terminal S, the terminal R, or the terminal G.

[0096] Although not shown, the voltage of the capacitor 10 is supplied as a power supply voltage to the control circuit 101, the signal transmission circuit 102, the signal reception circuit 103, the switch circuit 104, and the changeover switch circuit 105, respectively.

[0097] The signal receiving circuit 103 receives a signal received by the peripheral electrode 33 via capacitive coupling (electric field coupling) with the position detection sensor of the position detection device, performs processing such as demodulation according to the received signal, and sends the processed signal to the control circuit 101.

[0098] The control circuit 101 analyzes the signal from the signal receiving circuit 103 to determine the specifications of the partner position detection device and to determine the timing of signal interaction with the position detection sensor of the partner position detection device. The control circuit 101 then controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmitting circuit 102 so that it matches the specifications of the partner position detection device, and interacts with the position detection sensor at the determined timing.

[0099] The signal transmission circuit 102 basically outputs, under the control of the control circuit 101, a signal including a position detection signal (burst signal) of a predetermined frequency for position detection by the position detection device and writing pressure information corresponding to the writing pressure detected by the writing pressure detection unit 8. The signal transmission circuit 102 also outputs a signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1. That is, under the control of the control circuit 101, the signal transmission circuit 102 sends out burst signals for position detection and for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1.

[0100] The control circuit 101 then performs an operation of detecting the writing pressure based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor 8C included in the writing pressure detection unit 8 while the signal transmission circuit 102 is transmitting a burst signal for position detection.

[0101] In this example, control circuit 101 first charges variable capacitor 8C to a fully charged state, then stops charging, causing variable capacitor 8C to discharge through resistor 8R. Then, the time from when discharge begins until the voltage across variable capacitor 8C reaches a predetermined voltage is measured, and the capacitance of variable capacitor 8C at that time is detected from that time. Since the capacitance of variable capacitor 8C corresponds to the writing pressure applied to core 35 at that time, the writing pressure is detected based on the detected capacitance.

[0102] Then, the control circuit 101 converts the detected writing pressure into a multi-bit digital signal in this example, and controls the signal transmission circuit 102 so that writing pressure information corresponding to this digital signal is output from the signal transmission circuit 102.

[0103] 6A, in the steady state, the control circuit 101 sets the electronic pen body 3 in a signal reception mode in which it receives a signal from the position detection sensor of the position detection device. After confirming the reception of a signal from the position detection device in this signal reception mode and carrying out the predetermined processing described above, the control circuit 101 switches to a signal transmission mode in which it transmits a signal to the position detection device.

[0104] In this embodiment, in the signal reception mode, the control circuit 101 controls the switch circuit 104 to be turned off by a control signal SW1 (see FIG. 6(C)), and the changeover switch circuit 105 controls the changeover control signal SW2 to connect the movable terminal M to the terminal R (see FIG. 6(D)).

[0105] Therefore, in this signal reception mode, the signal received by the peripheral electrode 33 from the position detection device is supplied to the signal reception circuit 103 via the changeover switch circuit 105 and demodulated, and the demodulated reception signal is supplied to the control circuit 101. As described above, the control circuit 101 analyzes the reception signal from the position detection device and determines the specifications of the partner position detection device, as described above.

[0106] In this embodiment, the signal received from the position detection device includes information indicating the timing at which the electronic pen body 3 starts transmitting a signal, and based on the information indicating this timing, the control circuit 101 determines the timing of switching from the signal reception mode to the signal transmission mode, and also determines the timing of time-division processing in the signal transmission mode, etc. Thereafter, the control circuit 101 switches the electronic pen body 3 from the signal reception mode to the signal transmission mode.

[0107] In this embodiment, in this signal transmission mode, as shown in Figure 6(B), a position detection period Ta in which a burst signal for position detection and writing pressure detection information are transmitted to the position detection device, and a tilt detection period Tb in which the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 is detected are executed in a time-division manner.

[0108] During the position detection period Ta, the switch circuit 104 is turned on by the control signal SW1 (see FIG. 6(C)), and the changeover switch circuit 105 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal G by the changeover control signal SW2 (see FIG. 6(D)). Therefore, during the position detection period Ta, the peripheral electrode 33 is connected to the ground electrode through the changeover switch circuit 105. During the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 101 controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to output a burst signal of the position detection signal and writing pressure information. The position detection signal and writing pressure information output from the signal transmission circuit 102 are supplied to the core body 35 via the switch circuit 104 and sent to the position detection sensor. In this case, the control circuit 101 controls the signal transmission circuit 102 to send the writing pressure information from the core body 35 after the end of the burst signal sending period.

[0109] At this time, the peripheral electrode 33 is connected to the earth electrode, so the core 35 is shielded except for the tip 35a, which becomes the pen tip. Therefore, the signal from the signal transmission circuit 102 is sent from the tip 35a of the core 35 without being affected by external factors.

[0110] Next, during the tilt detection period Tb, the switch circuit 104 is turned off by the control signal SW1 (see FIG. 6(C)), and the changeover switch circuit 105 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal S by the switch control signal SW2 (see FIG. 6(D)). During this tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 101 controls the signal generation circuit 102 to generate a burst signal for tilt detection. In this example, this burst signal for tilt detection has the same frequency as the burst signal for position detection.

[0111] Therefore, during this tilt detection period Tb, a burst signal for tilt detection from the signal transmission circuit 102 is supplied to the peripheral electrode 33 via the changeover switch circuit 105 and sent to the position detection sensor. The position detection device receives this burst signal for tilt detection via the position detection sensor and detects the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 as described below.

[0112] [Example of circuit configuration for position detection device] Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the position detection device and the position detection sensor will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a reception processing circuit for a signal from the electronic pen 1 of the position detection device 200 of the capacitance type.

[0113] 7, the position detection device 200 of this example is composed of a position detection sensor 210 and a pen detection circuit 220 connected to the position detection sensor 210. In this example, the position detection sensor 210 is composed of a plurality of first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, ..., 211Y extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). m(m is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined distance from each other, and a plurality of second conductors 212X1, 212X2, ..., 212X are arranged in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). n (n is an integer of 1 or more) and a second conductor group arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0114] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the multiple first conductors of the first conductor group and the multiple second conductors of the second conductor group, they will be referred to as first conductors 211Y and second conductors 212X.

[0115] The pen indication detection circuit 220 comprises a selection circuit 221 serving as an input / output interface with the position detection sensor 210, an amplifier circuit 222, a bandpass filter 223, a detection circuit 224, a sample-and-hold circuit 225, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion circuit 226, and a control circuit 227.

[0116] The selection circuit 221 selects one conductor 211Y or 212X from the first conductor group and the second conductor group based on a control signal from the control circuit 227. The conductor selected by the selection circuit 221 is connected to an amplifier circuit 222, and a signal from the electronic pen 1 (electronic pen body 3 thereof) is detected by the selected conductor and amplified by the amplifier circuit 222. The output of the amplifier circuit 222 is supplied to a band-pass filter 223, which extracts only the frequency component of the signal transmitted from the electronic pen 1.

[0117] The output signal of the bandpass filter 223 is detected by a detection circuit 224, and the output signal is supplied to a sample-and-hold circuit 225, where it is sampled and held by a sampling signal from a control circuit 227, and then converted into a digital value by an AD conversion circuit 226. The digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is read and processed by the control circuit 227.

[0118] The control circuit 227 sends control signals to the sample and hold circuit 225, the AD conversion circuit 226, and the selection circuit 221, respectively, and calculates the position coordinates on the position detection sensor 210 indicated by the electronic pen 1 from the digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226, and detects writing pressure information.

[0119] Furthermore, the control circuit 227 detects the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 as described below. A method for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 in the position detection device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0120] As shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 8(A), when the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 is perpendicular to the input surface of the position detection sensor 210, during the position detection period Ta, electrostatic coupling occurs between the tip 35a of the core 35 and the position detection sensor 210, and the electrostatically coupled region OBa is a perfect circular region as shown in Fig. 8(B). On the other hand, during the tilt detection period Tb, electrostatic coupling occurs between the peripheral electrode 33 and the position detection sensor 210, and the electrostatically coupled region OBb is a ring-shaped region as shown in Fig. 8(C).

[0121] Furthermore, as shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 8(D), when the core 35 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 is tilted with respect to the input surface of the position detection sensor 210, the region OBa where electrostatic coupling occurs between the tip 35a of the core 35 and the position detection sensor 210 during the position detection period Ta remains an approximately circular region as shown in Fig. 8(E). On the other hand, the region OBa where electrostatic coupling occurs between the peripheral electrode 33 and the position detection sensor 210 during the tilt detection period Tb becomes an elliptical region that is elongated in the direction of tilt and depends on the tilt angle as shown in Fig. 8(F).

[0122] Therefore, the control circuit 227 of the position detection device 200 can detect the magnitude of the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 from the length of the oval direction of the elliptical shape of the area OBb shown in Figure 8 (F), and can detect the tilt direction of the electronic pen 1 by detecting the oval direction of the elliptical shape of the area OBb starting from the pointing position of the electronic pen 1 shown in Figure 8 (E).

[0123] In the above example, a signal of the same frequency as the signal supplied to the core body 35 is used for the peripheral electrode 33 used to detect the tilt angle, but the frequency of the signal supplied to the core body 35 may be different from the frequency of the signal supplied to the peripheral electrode 33. In this case, the position detection device 200 can distinguish between the signal from the core body 35 and the signal from the peripheral electrode 33. Therefore, the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 may be configured to simultaneously send the signal from the core body 35 and the signal from the peripheral electrode 33 to the position detection sensor 210, rather than executing the position detection period Ta and the tilt detection period Tb in a time-division manner as described above.

[0124] [Advantages of the first embodiment] In this first embodiment of the electronic pen 1, when the electronic pen 1 is used, the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body 3 protrudes outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, and not only the tip portion 35a of the core body 35 but also a portion of the tapered portion 33b on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2.

[0125] Therefore, according to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the distance between not only the tip portion 35a of the core body 35 but also the tapered portion 33b on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 and the input surface of the position detection sensor 210 is shortened, thereby strengthening the capacitive coupling (electric field coupling) between them. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 is tapered portion 33b, so the cross-sectional area of ​​the tip portion on the pen tip side is reduced, resulting in stronger electric field coupling with the position detection sensor 210.

[0126] Therefore, even if the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is made thinner, it can be strongly electric-field coupled with the position detection sensor 210, and the position detection device 200 can sensitively detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 1. Moreover, in the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the peripheral electrode 33 receives a signal from the position detection device 200, and the electronic pen body 3 starts sending a signal at the timing indicated by the received signal. This allows the position detection device to wait for reception of a signal from the electronic pen body 3 while predicting the sending of a signal from the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1, and can achieve good operation even with electric-field coupling, which has a weaker coupling strength than the electromagnetic induction method.

[0127] In the first embodiment described above, the electronic pen body 3 is configured to be compatible with refills of commercially available ballpoint pens, so that refills of commercially available ballpoint pens can be attached to the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 instead of the electronic pen body 3 and used.

[0128] [Second embodiment] The electronic pen of this second embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, only one electronic pen body 3 is accommodated in the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. In this second embodiment, a plurality of electronic pen bodies are accommodated in the pen housing of the electronic pen, and one of the plurality of electronic pen bodies is selected by a knock mechanism, and the tip of the nib of the selected electronic pen body is caused to protrude from the opening on the nib side of the housing for use.

[0129] As described above, the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is configured to be compatible with the ballpoint pen refill 6. Commercially available ballpoint pens include multicolor ballpoint pens equipped with refills of different ink colors. The second embodiment provides an electronic pen configured by housing the electronic pen body 3 in a housing similar to that of the multicolor ballpoint pen.

[0130] Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram showing the external appearance of the electronic pen 1M of this second embodiment. In the example of Fig. 9, the pen housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M is also made of transparent synthetic resin, and the interior is shown as being visible through it.

[0131] The pen housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M has a configuration similar to that of a housing and knock mechanism of a commercially available knock-type multicolor ballpoint pen. However, like the pen housing 2 and knock cam mechanism 4 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the configuration in which charging electrodes 2Md and 2Me are provided on the pen housing 2M and the configuration of the fitting portion of the knock mechanism into which the electronic pen main body 3 is fitted are different from those of the housing and knock mechanism of a commercially available knock-type multicolor ballpoint pen. In the example of Fig. 9, three electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are housed within the pen housing 2M.

[0132] The electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are configured in the same external form as the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment, except that they are configured to have the same dimensions as refills for a multi-color ballpoint pen. However, in the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E of this second embodiment, in addition to the signal transmission circuit described above, an IC and its peripheral circuits for realizing the function of transmitting its own identification information to a position detection device are provided inside the main body casing 30 in which the electronic circuit components are arranged. The other configurations of the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are the same as those of the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0133] The knock mechanism of the electronic pen 1M is provided with knock rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E into which the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E are fitted, respectively. The fitting portions provided on the knock rods 42BK, 42R, and 42E have the same configuration as the fitting portion 43a of the knock cam mechanism 4 in the first embodiment.

[0134] When any of the knock rods 42BK, 42R, 42E is slid toward the pen tip, the tip portion 35a of the core body 35 of any of the electronic pen main body portions 3BK, 3R, 3E and a part of the peripheral electrode 33 protrude, thereby being electrically coupled with the position detection sensor of the position detection device.

[0135] In this embodiment, the position detection device used together with the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E has a function of receiving and distinguishing the identification information transmitted from each of the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E. That is, the position detection device in this embodiment distinguishes between the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E and realizes the functions assigned to each of the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E.

[0136] In this example, for example, the electronic pen main body unit 3BK is assigned the function of displaying the writing path (characters or figures) in black according to its designated position, the electronic pen main body unit 3R is assigned the function of displaying the writing path in red according to its designated position, and the electronic pen main body unit 3E is assigned the function of erasing the writing path previously input according to its designated position.

[0137] The position detection device recognizes identification information included in the signals transmitted from each of the electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E. The position detection device then adds color information and erasure information of the writing path corresponding to the identification information to the coordinate information of the position indicated by each of the detected electronic pen main bodies 3BK, 3R, and 3E, and supplies the information to a personal computer or the like equipped with a display screen. Note that the functions assigned to the electronic pen main body may not only be the display color of the path corresponding to the indicated position as in this example, but may also include the thickness of the path and the type of line to be displayed, such as a solid line, a dotted line, or a dashed dotted line.

[0138] In the case of the electronic pen 1M of the second embodiment, multiple electronic pen bodies 3 are housed in the pen housing 2M, and therefore the axial direction of each electronic pen body 3 is offset from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M. Therefore, when the pen tip portion of one of the multiple electronic pen bodies 3 is advanced and protruded from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M using a knock mechanism, the pushed-out electronic pen body 3 is slightly bent with respect to the fitting portion of the pen housing 2M.

[0139] However, since the cylindrical main body portion 31 of the electronic pen main body 3 of this embodiment is provided with the resin pipe portion 31b, the elasticity of this resin pipe portion 31b can accommodate bending of the electronic pen main body 3 when the tip portion of the electronic pen main body 3 is extended. When the axial length of the resin pipe portion 31b is adapted to the housing mechanism of a multi-color ballpoint pen as in the second embodiment, it is preferable to adjust the length so that the resin pipe portion 31b can adequately absorb bending of the tip portion of the electronic pen main body 3 when it is extended.

[0140] In this second embodiment, all of the fitting portions of the three knock rods 42BK, 42R, 42E are configured to have conductors that allow the electronic pen body 3 to be fitted thereto, but at least one of the multiple knock rods may be used for the electronic pen body 3 and its fitting portion may be configured to have a conductor, and the others may be configured for ballpoint pen refills without a conductor.

[0141] Furthermore, although the second embodiment is an example in which three knock rods are provided, the number of knock rods may be two, or four or more.

[0142] [Third embodiment] The electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment is different from the electronic pen body 3 of the first and second embodiments in the configuration of the portion that fits into the pen housing of the electronic pen, but is otherwise configured similarly. Therefore, the configuration of the fitting portion provided on the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B into which the electronic pen body 3B of this third embodiment fits also differs from that of the first and second embodiments.

[0143] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of an electronic pen body 3B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10A shows a first example of the electronic pen body 3B according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10C shows a second example of the electronic pen body 3B according to this embodiment. The first and second examples differ only in the configuration of the portion that fits into the fitting portion of the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B according to the third embodiment, and the other portions are substantially identical in configuration. In the following description, portions similar to those of the electronic pen body 3 according to the first and second embodiments described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0144] 11(A) shows an example of the configuration of an electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment to which an electronic pen body 3B of the third embodiment is attached. This Fig. 11(A) is a diagram showing a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3B of the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment protrudes from the opening of the pen housing 2B, and corresponds to Fig. 1(B) for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0145] 11, the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment is provided with a fitting portion 43ap into which the electronic pen main body 3B of the third embodiment is fitted, a side switch 2S is provided on the side of the pen housing 2B, and a conductor band 2f is provided in a position where the user grips it during use, but is otherwise similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. The side switch 2S is configured as a push button switch or a slide switch, which is well known in electronic pens, so a detailed example of its structure will be omitted here.

[0146] In the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment, operation information of the side switch 2S is transmitted to the electronic pen body 3B via the fitting portion 43ap. The electronic pen body 3B of the third embodiment sends the operation information of the side switch 2S to a position detection device, in addition to a position detection signal and writing pressure information. The position detection device is set with a function corresponding to the operation information of the side switch 2S, and performs processing according to the set function in response to the operation information of the side switch 2S received from the electronic pen body 3B.

[0147] The conductor band 2f is a cylindrical body made of a conductive material such as conductive rubber, and is provided so as to cover part of the outer periphery in the axial direction of the pen housing 2. In this third embodiment, it is configured to be connected to the earth electrode of the electronic pen main body 3B through the fitting portion 43ap. When a user grips this conductor band 2f during use, the conductor band 2f and the earth electrode of the electronic pen main body 3B connected thereto (to which the metal pipe portion 31a of the cylindrical main body 31 is also connected) are connected (grounded) to the earth through the user's body.

[0148] 10(A) and 10(C), in the electronic pen body 3B of this embodiment, a peripheral electrode 33 is connected to the pen tip side of a cylindrical main body portion 31 via a cylindrical connecting member 32. A front cap 34 is attached to the pen tip side of a main body housing 30 of the electronic pen body 3B, and a core 35 is inserted and attached through an opening in the front cap 34. As with the electronic pen body 3 of the first and second embodiments described above, a core holding member 7, a writing pressure detection unit 8, a printed circuit board 9 on which a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 10 as an example of a storage element for supplying power voltage are housed in the hollow part of the main body housing 30 and aligned in the axial direction.

[0149] In the electronic pen main body 3B of the third embodiment, the cylindrical main body 31 is also configured by joining a metal pipe portion 31a and a resin pipe portion 31b. A connector, in this example, a connector plug 50, is provided at the rear end of the resin pipe portion 31b to be fitted into a fitting portion 43ap provided inside the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B.

[0150] This connector plug 50 is electrically connected to the capacitor 10 housed in the electronic pen main body 3B and to the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 9, and has a plurality of terminal portions that are insulated from each other, in this example five terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a.

[0151] In the electronic pen body 3B of the first example shown in Fig. 10(A), the five terminals 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 are configured as follows: In this example, the terminal 51a is configured of a conductive metal that forms a central shaft. In the example shown in Fig. 10(A), the connector plug 50 is configured by concentrically combining cylindrical terminals 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a, each having an insulating layer formed on its inner wall surface, with the rod-shaped conductive metal of the terminal 51a.

[0152] In this case, terminal portion 51a, made of conductive metal and constituting the central mandrel, is the axial tip, and its annular circumferential surface and tip are exposed for a predetermined length in the axial direction, while each of cylindrical terminal portions 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a has its annular circumferential surface exposed for a predetermined length in the axial direction. That is, five terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of connector plug 50 have annular conductor contact portions exposed at different positions in the axial direction. Although terminal portion 51a has a cylindrical shape, its annular circumferential surface and tip form the conductor contact portion.

[0153] When this connector plug 50 is inserted into a mating recess of a connector jack 90 formed in a mating portion 43ap provided on a rotor 43 disposed inside the hollow of a pen housing 2B of an electronic pen 1B, as shown in Fig. 10(B), the connector plug 50 is elastically connected to each of five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 provided on the connector jack 90. ​​Each of the five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 is made of a conductive elastic metal, and is electrically connected to each of charging electrodes 2d and 2e, side switch 2S, and conductor band 2f provided on the pen housing 2B (see Fig. 11(B)).

[0154] Therefore, when the connector plug 50 is inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 90, the electronic circuit components inside the electronic pen main body 3B are electrically connected to the electronic circuit components arranged in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B. Fig. 11(B) is a diagram schematically showing an example of electronic circuit components arranged in the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B, which are electrically connected to the electronic circuit components inside the electronic pen main body 3B when the connector plug 50 is inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 90.

[0155] In the example of Figure 11(B), terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of connector plug 50 are electrically connected to charging electrodes 2e and 2d, both ends 2Sa and 2Sb of side switch 2S, and conductor band 2f, respectively, through five contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 provided on connector jack 90 (the contact terminals of connector jack 90 are not shown in Figure 11(B)).

[0156] At this time, the annular conductor contact portions of the terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a of the connector plug 50 are connected to the contact terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 of the connector jack 90, respectively, so that even if the electronic pen main body portion 3B rotates around the center line in the axial direction, electrical connection is always maintained, and electrical non-contact can be avoided.

[0157] 10(C), the five terminals 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b of the connector plug 50 are configured as follows: The connector plug 50 in this example has a configuration similar to that of an audio pin plug (for example, a five-pole pin plug with a noise cancellation function), and in this example, the five terminals 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b have annular conductor contact portions of the same diameter exposed at different positions in the axial direction.

[0158] That is, of the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b, the terminal portion 51b at the tip is a chip terminal, the three intermediate terminal portions 52b, 53b, and 54b are ring terminals insulated from the other terminal portions by insulating rings 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, respectively, and the terminal portion 55b at the base side of the electronic pen main body portion 3B is a sleeve terminal.

[0159] The connector jack 90 to be coupled with the connector plug 50 of the electronic pen main body 3B in Fig. 10(C) also has five contact terminals that come into contact with the annular conductor contact portions of the five terminal portions 51b, 52b, 53b, 54b, and 55b to form an electrical connection, as in Fig. 10(B). Therefore, when the connector plug 50 of the electronic pen main body 3B of the second example shown in Fig. 10(C) is coupled with the connector jack 90, the result is the same as in the first example.

[0160] In the above example, a connector plug is provided at the rear end of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen main body 3B opposite the pen tip side, and a connector jack is provided in the fitting portion 43ap of the pen housing 2B, but it is also possible to provide a connector jack at the rear end of the main body cylindrical portion 31 of the electronic pen main body 3B opposite the pen tip side, and a connector plug is provided in the fitting portion 43ap of the pen housing 2B.

[0161] It goes without saying that the connector structure of the third embodiment can also be applied to the multi-color ballpoint pen of the second embodiment. In that case, a side switch may be provided for each of the multiple electronic pen bodies that fit into the multiple fitting portions of the pen housing, or a single side switch may be provided shared by the multiple electronic pen bodies. If one of the multiple fitting portions of the pen housing is used for the electronic pen body and the others are used for ballpoint pen refills, it goes without saying that a single side switch may be provided for that one electronic pen body.

[0162] [Other embodiments] Another embodiment of the electronic pen body is shown in Figure 12. Figure 12(A) shows a modified example of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment described above, and this example is configured to be compatible with ballpoint pen refills 6, just like the first embodiment. Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment, components similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0163] The electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment uses a peripheral electrode 33C having a different shape from the peripheral electrode 33 of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Fig. 12(A), the peripheral electrode 33C of the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, and the outer diameter is the diameter R1 (see Fig. 2) that is smaller than the diameter of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen.

[0164] Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3C of this embodiment, the configuration of the peripheral electrode 33C is different from that of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, and therefore the cylindrical joining member 32C that joins the peripheral electrode 33C to the cylindrical main body 31 is configured to match the configuration of the peripheral electrode 33C so that the peripheral electrode 33C can be joined to the cylindrical main body 31 via the ring-shaped flange 32CF. In addition, the front cap 34C is also modified and configured to match the configuration of the peripheral electrode 33C. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0165] 12(A) is also housed in the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, and the resin pipe portion 31b side of the cylindrical main body portion 31 can be fitted into the fitting portion 43a. By pressing down the knock rod 42 of the knock cam mechanism 4, the tip portion 35a of the core, the front cap 34C, and a part of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33C on the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body 3C can be made to protrude from the opening 2b.

[0166] 12A also provides the same effects as those of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, and during use, the core 35, the front cap 34C, and a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33C protrude outward from the opening in the housing 2C of the electronic pen, which is shown by the dotted line in Fig. 10A. In this case, a cylindrical portion of the peripheral electrode 33C with a constant outer diameter is positioned in the opening of the housing 2C, and by adjusting the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the peripheral electrode 33C, it is easy to prevent the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3C from rattling in the opening of the housing 2C.

[0167] 12(B) also shows a modified example of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment described above. The cylindrical body portion 31D and cylindrical joining member 32D of the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment are different from those of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment, but the other portions have the same configuration. Therefore, in the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0168] The cylindrical body portion 31D of the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment has an outer diameter R3 that is larger than the outer diameter R2 of the cylindrical body portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment. The inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 31D of the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment is also larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 31 of the electronic pen body 3 of the first embodiment.

[0169] Therefore, in the electronic pen main body 3D of this embodiment, since the configuration of the main body tubular portion 31D is different from that of the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment, the tubular connecting member 32D that connects the peripheral electrode 33 to the main body tubular portion 31D is configured so that the peripheral electrode 33 can be connected to the main body tubular portion 31D via the ring-shaped flange portion 32DF in accordance with the configuration of the main body tubular portion 31D.

[0170] As described above, the cylindrical main body 31D of the electronic pen main body 3D of this embodiment has a large hollow space. The electronic pen main body 3D of this embodiment is configured to utilize the large hollow space of the cylindrical main body 31D to house a primary battery 10BT in the hollow space, as shown in FIG. 12(B), instead of the capacitor 10 used as the power storage element in the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment. Other electronic circuit components in the cylindrical main body 31D are housed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and power supply voltage to each required component is supplied from the primary battery 10BT.

[0171] Therefore, the electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment does not require a configuration for externally charging the capacitor 10. In this example, the cylindrical body 31D is made of a metal pipe, and a closing cap 31De is removably attached to the rear end opposite the pen tip side. The electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment is configured so that the closing cap 31De can be removed to replace the primary battery 10BT stored in the cylindrical body 31D. Of course, the cylindrical body 31D may also be configured by combining a metal pipe portion and a resin pipe portion, as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0172] The electronic pen housing that houses the electronic pen body 3D in this embodiment has a different configuration from the electronic pen housings in the above-described embodiments. That is, even if the electronic pen housing for this electronic pen body 3D includes a knock cam mechanism or a knock mechanism, as in the above-described embodiments, the fitting portion of the electronic pen housing that fits with the electronic pen body 3D does not need to be provided with an electrical configuration. However, the pen tip side of the housing has an opening with a diameter larger than the diameter R1, and in use, the tip portion 35a of the core 35, the front cap 34, and a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 on the pen tip side of the electronic pen body 3D protrude to the outside through the opening of the housing, as in the above-described embodiments.

[0173] 2A, various types of refills for ballpoint pens are known, including those with a thick cartridge-type ink storage compartment, such as the cylindrical body 31D of the electronic pen body 3D in this example. The electronic pen body 3D of this embodiment can also be attached to the housing of such a cartridge-type ballpoint pen.

[0174] Even when the main body cylindrical portion 31D is configured to be thick like the electronic pen main body portion 3D of this embodiment, instead of providing a primary battery 10BT in the hollow portion of the main body cylindrical portion 31D, a secondary battery or a storage element such as a capacitor may be provided, and the configuration of the rear end side of the main body cylindrical portion 31D may be the same as that of the electronic pen main body portion 3 of the first embodiment, or may be configured the same as that of the electronic pen main body portion 3B of the third embodiment.

[0175] An electronic pen using the electronic pen main body 3C of the example of Figure 12(B) can also obtain the same effects as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, and when in use, the core body 35, the front cap 34, and a portion of the tapered portion on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33 protrude outward from the opening in the electronic pen housing 2D shown by the dotted line in Figure 12(B).

[0176] FIG. 12(C) shows a modified example of the electronic pen body 3C of FIG. 12(A). The peripheral electrode 33C′ of the electronic pen body 3C′ of this example of FIG. 12(C) differs from the peripheral electrode 33C of the electronic pen body 3 of FIG. 12(A) in that the pen tip side is formed as a tapered portion 33C′b. That is, the peripheral electrode 33C′ of the electronic pen body 3C′ of this example has a cylindrical portion 33C′a whose outer diameter is smaller than the diameter R0 (see FIG. 1) of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen, and a tapered portion 33C′b formed on the pen tip side. In this example, a front cap 34C′ is provided at the tip of the tapered portion 33C′b of the peripheral electrode 33C′. The remaining configuration is the same as the electronic pen body 3C of the example of FIG. 12(A).

[0177] 12(C), the core 35, the front cap 34C', and a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 33C' protrude outward from the opening in the housing 2C of the electronic pen. In this case, the portion of the peripheral electrode 33C' protruding outward includes not only the tapered portion 33C'b but also a portion of the cylindrical portion 33C'a, and it is the cylindrical portion 33C'a that is positioned in the opening in the housing 2C, thereby achieving the same effects as the example in FIG. 12(A).

[0178] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the above description of the embodiment, the electronic pen body is intended to be configured to be compatible with refills for ballpoint pens as writing instruments, but it goes without saying that it can also be configured for use with a dedicated electronic pen.

[0179] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic pen body is configured to be inserted and removed from the housing by a knock mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to such a knock mechanism and may be an electronic pen in a form in which the electronic pen body is simply stored in the pen housing. In this case, the pen tip side of the electronic pen body always protrudes from the opening of the pen housing, and a cap may be screwed or press-fitted onto the pen housing to protect the protruding pen tip side, and the pen tip side of the electronic pen body may be covered with the cap.

[0180] Furthermore, although the peripheral electrode is configured from a cylindrical conductor, it may be configured from a cylindrical conductor divided into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction.

[0181] Furthermore, although the core body 35 is made of a conductive metal, it may be made of any material that is conductive, for example, a hard resin mixed with conductive powder.

[0182] The cylindrical body of the electronic pen body may be formed of a metal pipe alone or a resin pipe alone, rather than a combination of a metal pipe and a resin pipe. However, if the cylindrical body is formed of a metal pipe alone, when electrical connection with an electronic component provided in the housing is required, a member having a conductor for electrical connection is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical body on the side opposite the pen tip side, via an insulating material such as resin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 1...electronic pen, 2...electronic pen housing, 3...electronic pen main body, 4...knock cam mechanism, 7...core body holding member, 8...pen pressure detection unit, 9...printed circuit board, 10...storage capacitor, 10BT...primary battery, 30...electronic pen main body housing, 31...cylindrical main body, 32...cylindrical connecting member, 33...peripheral electrode, 34...front cap, 35...center electrode (core body)

Claims

1. An electronic pen body is housed in a housing of the electronic pen, and at least the pen tip is capable of protruding from one opening in the axial direction of the housing of the electronic pen, a first electrode having one end in an axial direction that serves as the pen tip; a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to at least the first electrode; a main body component in which the signal transmission circuit is disposed; a battery provided in the main body component for supplying a power supply voltage to at least the signal transmission circuit; Equipped with The main body component has a configuration that allows the battery to be removed from the cylindrical main body and replaced. An electronic pen body.

2. A closing cap is detachably attached to the rear end side of the main body component opposite to the pen tip side, and the battery can be removed and replaced by removing the closing cap from the main body component. The electronic pen body according to claim 1 .

3. The closing cap is provided with a fitting member that fits into a fitting portion provided inside the housing of the electronic pen. The electronic pen body according to claim 2 .

4. a second electrode disposed around the first electrode and different from the first electrode; a signal receiving circuit to which a received signal received via electric field coupling between the second electrode and the position detection sensor is supplied; Equipped with When the one end side of the first electrode protrudes to the outside from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen, a part of the pen tip side of the second electrode also protrudes to the outside from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen. The electronic pen body according to claim 1 .

5. The pen tip side of the second electrode has a tapered shape.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4.

6. The main body component is configured in a cylindrical shape, the second electrode is coupled to the pen tip side in the axial direction of the main body constituent part, The main body component does not protrude to the outside from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4.

7. The main body component is configured in a cylindrical shape, a fitting portion of the first electrode is disposed in a hollow portion of the second electrode and the main body constituent portion combined together, The first electrode is attached by being detachably fitted into the fitting portion of the first electrode.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4.

8. The second electrode has a diameter smaller than that of the main body.

8. The electronic pen body according to claim 6 or claim 7.

9. the second electrode includes, in an axial direction, a front portion on a pen tip side including the part protruding outward from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen, and a rear portion on a coupling side with the main body constituent part; The front section has a tapered shape tapering toward the pen tip, and the rear section has a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter.

8. The electronic pen body according to claim 6, wherein the electronic pen body is a body having a plurality of electrodes.

10. When the signal is supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the first electrode, the second electrode is grounded and configured to function as a shield electrode.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4.

11. The signal is supplied from the signal generating circuit to the second electrode, so that the second electrode functions as an electrode for detecting tilt.

5. The electronic pen body according to claim 4.

12. The main body component is configured to be flexible in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

7. The electronic pen body according to claim 6, wherein the electronic pen body is a pen body.

13. An electronic pen having a housing with an opening at one end in an axial direction on the pen tip side, and at least one electronic pen body portion housed in the housing, The electronic pen body includes: a first electrode having one end in an axial direction that serves as the pen tip; a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to at least the first electrode; a main body component in which the signal transmission circuit is disposed; a battery provided in the main body component for supplying a power supply voltage to at least the signal transmission circuit; Equipped with The main body component has a configuration that allows the battery to be removed from the cylindrical main body and replaced. An electronic pen characterized by:

14. The electronic pen body includes: a second electrode disposed around the first electrode and different from the first electrode; a signal receiving circuit to which a received signal received via electric field coupling between the second electrode and the position detection sensor is supplied; Equipped with When the one end side of the first electrode protrudes to the outside from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen, a part of the pen tip side of the second electrode also protrudes to the outside from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

15. The diameter of the first electrode of the electronic pen body and the diameter of the part of the second electrode protruding from the opening are set to be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the pen tip of a refill of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and the length of the electronic pen body is set to be approximately the same as the length of the refill of the ballpoint pen.

15. The electronic pen according to claim 14.

16. The housing stores a refill for the ballpoint pen and functions as a ballpoint pen.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

17. The housing includes a knock-type ballpoint pen mechanism for the electronic pen body or a refill for the ballpoint pen.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

18. The housing contains a mechanism for a knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen that accommodates a plurality of the electronic pen bodies and selectively projects one of the electronic pen bodies from the opening to the outside at the one end side of the first electrode that serves as the pen tip.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

19. The housing stores a refill for a ballpoint pen instead of one or more of the electronic pen main bodies, and functions as a knock-type multicolor ballpoint pen.

16. The electronic pen according to claim 15.

20. A cap is provided on the opening side of the housing to engage with the pen tip side protruding from the opening of the housing.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

Images