Electronic pen and cartridge therefor

Abstract

To provide an electronic pen and a cartridge therefor that are compatible with a stationery ballpoint pen refill and allow a stationery housing in which the ballpoint pen refill is attached to be used as a pen housing as is.SOLUTION: A capacitance type electronic pen cartridge accommodates at least a pen tip in a cylindrical pen housing of an electronic pen so that the pen tip can protrude from one opening in an axial direction of a pen housing. The cartridge includes a conductive first electrode, one end of which in the axial direction becomes the pen tip, an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit in a cartridge housing for generating a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor through the first electrode, and a rechargeable power storage device that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit. A coil is wound around an outside of the cartridge housing. The power storage device is configured to be charged by an induced current induced in the coil based on an externally supplied magnetic field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An active capacitance type electronic pen has a built-in power supply circuit and a signal transmission circuit that use a rechargeable storage device such as a primary or secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, and the core body is 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)).

[0003] 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.

[0004] 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). Hereinafter, in this specification, an electronic pen in which the internal components are modularized and integrated, and which is configured to be replaceable like a ballpoint pen refill, will be referred to as an electronic pen cartridge.

[0005] The applicant has already proposed an electronic pen cartridge for an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen that does not require a power circuit using a primary or secondary battery, and can be handled in the same way as a ballpoint pen refill, while leaving the casing of a stationery ballpoint pen intact (see, for example, Patent Document 2 (Patent Publication No. 5959038)). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5687398 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5959038 [Patent Document 3] WO2014 / 097953A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as mentioned above, active capacitance electronic pens require a power supply circuit using a primary or secondary battery, making it difficult to provide an electronic pen cartridge that can be handled in the same way as a ballpoint pen refill, while keeping the casing of a stationery ballpoint pen intact.

[0008] That is, when attempting to mount a primary battery in the electronic pen cartridge of an active capacitance type electronic pen, a dedicated primary battery that can be housed in the housing of the ultra-thin electronic pen cartridge is required, which is expensive, and it is difficult to obtain one with sufficient battery capacity, resulting in the problem that the primary battery needs to be replaced frequently. Therefore, the primary battery needs to be provided on the housing side of the electronic pen and configured to supply power voltage to the electronic pen cartridge, and it is not possible to use the housing of a stationery ballpoint pen as it is. It was difficult.

[0009] The applicant has proposed an active capacitance type electronic pen in which a power storage device is provided within a housing, and a component with a coil wound around a ferrite core is provided on the pen tip side, similar to an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen, and the power storage device is charged by an electromagnetic induction current flowing through the coil due to an external magnetic field for charging (see Patent Document 3 (WO2014 / 097953A1)). In the active capacitance type electronic pen of Patent Document 3, a conductive core is configured to be inserted through a through-hole in the ferrite core.

[0010] By using the technology of Patent Document 3, the power storage device can be stored within the housing of an extremely thin electronic pen cartridge, and can be configured to include a ferrite core with a coil wound around the pen tip, similar to an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge, making it possible to provide an active capacitance type electronic pen cartridge.

[0011] However, among active capacitance type electronic pens, there is also a two-way communication type electronic pen in which the core body is used as a central electrode, peripheral electrodes are provided to surround the central electrode, and signals are exchanged between the central electrode and the peripheral electrode and a position detection sensor. In this type of two-way communication type active capacitance type electronic pen cartridge, the peripheral electrode and the ferrite core around which the coil is wound overlap, making it difficult to make the cartridge thick enough to be compatible with the refills of stationery ballpoint pens.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen cartridge that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To solve the above problems, An electronic pen cartridge in which at least a pen tip is accommodated in a pen housing of an electronic pen so as to be able to protrude from one opening in an axial direction of the pen housing, A cartridge housing; a conductive first electrode whose one end in the axial direction becomes the pen tip; an electronic circuit provided in the cartridge housing, the electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to the position detection sensor through the first electrode; a chargeable power storage device provided in the cartridge housing and supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit; a coil wound around the outside of the cartridge housing; Equipped with The power storage device is configured to be charged by an induced current induced in the coil based on an externally supplied magnetic field. The present invention provides an electronic pen cartridge characterized by the above features.

[0014] In the electronic pen cartridge of the above-described configuration, a storage device, which can be made relatively small, is housed in the cartridge housing, and the storage device can be charged by an induced current induced in a coil wound around the outside of the cartridge housing based on a magnetic field supplied from the outside.

[0015] With this configuration of electronic pen cartridge, the coil for inducing an induced current for charging by an external magnetic field is arranged in a state where it is wound around the outside of the cartridge housing.Therefore, even if the electronic pen cartridge is a type in which the core body is used as a central electrode and peripheral electrodes are provided to surround the central electrode, and signals are sent and received between the central electrode and the peripheral electrode and a position detection sensor, the pen tip side can be configured to be easily compatible with ballpoint pen refills.

[0016] In addition, the cartridge housing of the electronic pen cartridge is provided with a coil for inducing an induced current for charging using an external magnetic field, and the coil is configured to be wound around the outside of the cartridge housing.The position at which the coil is provided is a position within the pen housing where there is ample storage space, so it can be configured to be easily compatible with ballpoint pen refills.

[0017] Therefore, according to the electronic pen cartridge of the above configuration, as an electronic pen cartridge for an active capacitance type electronic pen, it is compatible with the refills of stationery ballpoint pens, and the ballpoint pen housing can be used as is as the pen housing of the active capacitance type electronic pen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing an outline of a first embodiment of an electronic pen equipped with a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of components on the pen tip side of a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an embodiment of a charging tray for charging an embodiment of an electronic pen that mounts a first embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a second embodiment of an electronic pen equipped with a second embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of a second embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of a second embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining detection of the tilt of an electronic pen in a second embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic pen and an electronic pen cartridge according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [First embodiment] The electronic pen of the first embodiment has a cartridge-type configuration in which an electronic pen cartridge is detachably housed in a cylindrical housing of the electronic pen.

[0021] 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 cartridge 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 cartridge 3 in and out of an opening 2b at one end of the pen housing 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] Fig. 1(A) shows a state in which the entire electronic pen cartridge 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 cartridge 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.

[0023] The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is configured to be compatible with commercially available knock-type ballpoint pens.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 cartridge 3 on the opposite side to the pen tip side is fitted.

[0026] 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 cartridge 3 in the pen housing 2 into the state shown in Fig. 1(B), with the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 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 cartridge 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 detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0027] [Embodiment of Electronic Pen Cartridge 3] Figure 2 shows a structural example of the electronic pen cartridge 3 in comparison with a refill for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. That is, Figure 2(A) shows a refill 6 for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and Figure 2(B) shows a structural example of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the electronic pen cartridge 3 is configured to be compatible with the refill 6 for the knock-type ballpoint pen, being equivalent in size.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 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 cartridge 3 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

[0029] 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。

[0030] On the other hand, the housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the cartridge housing 30) is configured by connecting a front cap 32 made of an insulating material, such as resin, to the pen tip side of the housing cylindrical portion 31, as shown in Figure 2(B) and Figures 3(A) and (B).

[0031] 2(B), the cylindrical housing portion 31 is configured by connecting a metal pipe portion 31a made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal, to a resin pipe portion 31b made of an insulating material, in this example, a resin, at the rear end opposite the pen tip side. The outer diameters of the metal pipe portion 31a and the resin pipe portion 31b of the cylindrical housing portion 31 are set equal to the outer diameter R2. The end of the cylindrical housing portion 31 on the resin pipe portion 31b side becomes a fitting portion for fitting with a fitting portion 43a of the electronic pen cartridge 3 inside the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1.

[0032] In this example, the front cap 32 is formed in a tapered shape so as to gradually taper toward the pen tip side, as shown in Figures 2(B) and 3. That is, the front cap 32 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 front cap 32 in the axial direction toward the pen tip side is configured to be equal to or smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b on the pen tip side of the pen housing 2.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3(B), a hollow portion 30a exists inside the cartridge housing 30. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the front cap 32 has an opening 32a (see Fig. 3(B)) with a diameter larger than the diameter of the core body 33, and the opening 32a communicates with the hollow portion 30a of the cartridge housing 30.

[0034] The core 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment is made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the core 33 is inserted into the cartridge housing 30 through the opening 32a of the front cap 32, and the end opposite the pen tip side is detachably attached to the core holding member 7, which will be described later.

[0035] The core body 33 made of a conductive material and the metal pipe portion 31a of the tubular housing portion 31 of the cartridge housing 30 are electrically separated (insulated) by the front cap 32 made of an insulating material, as shown in Figure 3(B).

[0036] 2(A) and 2(B), the dimensions of the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 are configured to be approximately equal to the dimensions of the pen tip side of the ballpoint pen refill 6. That is, as described above, the outer diameter of the cylindrical housing portion 31 of the cartridge housing 30 is 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, and the front cap 32 is configured so that the diameter from the midpoint of the axial direction of its tapered portion to the pen tip side is equal to or less than the diameter R0 of the opening 2b on the pen tip side of the pen housing 2.

[0037] 2(A) and (B), when the core 33 is inserted into the electronic pen cartridge 3 through the opening 32a of the front cap 32 and attached, the length from the tip of the core 33 to the position where the outer diameter of the front cap 32 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. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), the length (total length) of the electronic pen cartridge 3 with the core 33 attached is selected to be equal to the total length L2 of the refill 6 of the ballpoint pen.

[0038] The electronic pen cartridge 3 configured as described above can be stored inside the pen housing 2 by fitting the plastic pipe portion 31b at the rear end of its cylindrical housing portion 31 into the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism portion 4.

[0039] When using the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment together with a position detection device, the user presses down the end 42a of the knock rod 42. Then, in the electronic pen 1, the tip 33a of the core 33 and a part of the pen tip side of the tapered portion of the front cap 32 protrude outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2, as shown in FIG.

[0040] That is, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1(B), not only the tip of the core body 33 attached to the electronic pen cartridge 3 but also a part of the pen tip side of the front cap 32 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 inputs a pointed position on the position detection sensor of the position detection device.

[0041] When use of the electronic pen 1 is finished, by again pressing the end 42a of the knock rod 42, the entire electronic pen cartridge 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 cartridge 3 is accommodated in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and the tip portion 33a of the core body 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is protected by the pen housing 2.

[0042] As shown by dotted lines in Figures 2(B) and 3(A), the hollow portion 30a of the cartridge housing 30 contains a core holder 7, a pen pressure detector 8, a printed circuit board 9 on which an electronic circuit including a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 10 as an example of an electricity storage device for supplying power voltage, which are arranged in the axial direction in that order from the pen tip side. The electronic circuit mounted on the printed circuit board 9 includes a charging circuit for supplying a charging current to the capacitor 10. In this example, the capacitor 10 is, for example, an electric double layer capacitor.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2(B), a coil 11 is provided on the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31b at the rear end of the cylindrical housing portion 31 of the cartridge housing 30, which generates an induced current when an AC magnetic field is supplied from the outside. In this example, the coil 11 is directly wound around and attached to the resin pipe portion 31b, except for the end portion of the resin pipe portion 31b that fits into the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism portion 4 of the pen housing 2. Alternatively, an air-core coil having the coil 11 wound around it in advance may be attached to the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31b and then adhesively fixed thereto with, for example, an adhesive.

[0044] In this case, since coil 11 is wound around resin pipe portion 31b, which is an insulating member, no eddy current is generated in resin pipe portion 31b due to the applied magnetic field. Therefore, capacitor 10, which is an example of an electricity storage device, is efficiently charged by the induced current induced in coil 11.

[0045] One end 11a of the coil 11 provided on the resin pipe portion 31b is connected to the earth electrode of the electronic circuit provided on the printed circuit board 9, and the other end 11b is connected to a charging circuit included in the electronic circuit.

[0046] Fig. 2(C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the resin pipe portion 31b on the rear end side of the cartridge housing 30. As shown in Fig. 2(C), one electrode 10a of the capacitor 10 is connected to the earth electrode of the printed circuit board 9. In this example, the earth electrode of the printed circuit board 9 is electrically connected to the metal pipe portion 31a of the cartridge housing 30. Therefore, one end 11a of the coil 11 is electrically connected to the metal pipe portion 31a by, for example, soldering, as shown in Figs. 2(B) and (C).

[0047] 2(C), in this example, an electrode conductor 12 is disposed from the inner wall surface to the outer circumferential surface of the resin pipe portion 31b at the end portion that is fitted with the fitting portion 43a of the resin pipe portion 31b of the cartridge housing 30. The other end 11b of the coil 11 is electrically connected to the outer circumferential surface of this electrode conductor 12, for example, by soldering. The inner wall surface of the electrode conductor 12 is connected to the other electrode of the capacitor 10 through a rectifier circuit 13, which is an example of a charging circuit. As shown in FIG. 2(C), the connection point between the rectifier circuit 13 and the other electrode 10b of the capacitor 10 is electrically connected to a voltage conversion circuit 14, which is an electronic circuit, as will be described later.

[0048] In this embodiment, a board holder 300 having a board mounting base 301 on which a printed board 9 is mounted is housed in the hollow portion 30a of the cartridge housing 30, as shown in FIG. 3(B).

[0049] 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 of the board mounting base portion 301 in the longitudinal direction, which is the axial direction of the electronic pen cartridge 3. As shown in FIG. 3(B), when the board holder 300 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge housing 30, the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 and the board mounting base portion 301 are continuous in the longitudinal direction, which is the axial direction of the electronic pen cartridge 3. The pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 is cylindrical in shape and has a hollow portion therein for housing multiple components of the pen pressure detection unit 8. The board mounting base portion 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.

[0050] The substrate holder 300 is housed in the cartridge housing 30 so that the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302 faces the pen tip. A core body holding member 7 that fits with the core body 33 and holds the core body 33 is connected to the writing pressure detection unit 8 held by the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302, and the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the core body 33 is transmitted to the writing pressure detection unit 8.

[0051] 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 larger than the inner diameter of the front cap 32. Then, as shown in Fig. 3(B) , a part of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the substrate holder 300 fits into a part of the front cap 32, thereby restricting the position of the substrate holder 300 so that it does not move in the axial direction within the cartridge casing 30.

[0052] As shown in Figures 3(B) and 4, the core body holding member 7 that fits and holds the core body 33 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 33 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 functions as a member that transmits the writing pressure applied to the core body 33 to the writing pressure detection unit 8.

[0053] 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 33 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 33 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 conductor terminal member 74, constitutes an electrical connection member for transmitting a signal from a signal transmission circuit of an electronic circuit arranged on the printed circuit board 9 to the core body 33.

[0054] 4A is an exploded perspective view of the core 33, 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.

[0055] 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 33a of the core body 33 is fitted. The core body 33 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 33.

[0056] With this configuration, the core body 33 is gripped by the arc-shaped portions of the gripping portion 711, which are two thin-walled portions in which the slits 712 are formed. Therefore, the core body 33 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] In this case, in the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment, a transmission signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit configured on the printed circuit board 9 needs to be supplied to the core body 33. In this embodiment, an electrical connection member is configured by a coil spring 73 made of a conductive material provided between the core body holder 72 and the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300, and a conductor terminal member 74 (see FIG. 4(B)) provided on the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300, and this electrical connection member realizes an electrical connection for supplying a signal from the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 9.

[0060] The conductor terminal member 74 is made of a conductive material, such as SUS, and as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, has an abutting plate portion 741 that covers the opening 302a side of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300 and has a through hole 741a through which the rod-shaped portion 722 of the core holder 72 is inserted. The conductor terminal member 74 also has an extension portion 742 that extends across the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 302 of the board holder 300 and up to the board mounting base portion 301. When the conductor 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 conductor 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. As a result, the conductive terminal member 74 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit provided on the printed circuit board 9.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Then, as described above, the core body 33 is inserted and fitted into the through-hole 71a of the conductive elastic member 71 fitted into the core body holder 72 housed within the cartridge housing 30, and the core body 33 is held by the core body holder 72 via the conductive elastic member 71. In this state, the core body 33 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 body 33.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 33a 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 33 and the pen pressure holder 72 in accordance with the pen pressure applied to the tip 33a of the pen pressure detection module.

[0066] 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 33, 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.

[0067] 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 33 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 33 is firmly held to the core holder 72 by the conductive elastic member 71, as described above. Note that the core 33 can be pulled out in the direction of the tip 33a from the state in which it is fitted and held in the core holder 72, and can be replaced as described above.

[0068] In this electronic pen cartridge 3, when pressure is applied to the tip end 33a of the core 33, the core 33 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 33.

[0069] 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 in response to the pressure applied to the core body 33. This change in capacitance of the variable capacitor is detected by an electronic circuit provided on the printed circuit board 9, thereby detecting the writing pressure.

[0070] 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)).

[0071] The electronic pen 1 of the embodiment is completed when the end of the resin pipe section 31b at the rear end side of the cartridge housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 configured as described above is fitted into the fitting section 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism section 4 provided in the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1.

[0072] [Example of the electronic circuit configuration of the electronic pen cartridge 3] An example of the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment configured as described above is shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the electronic circuit of this example is composed of a coil 11 provided on the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31b of the cartridge housing 30, a rectifier circuit 13, a capacitor 10, a voltage conversion circuit 14, a signal transmission circuit 15, and a conductive core body 33.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 2(C), the coil 11 provided on the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31b of the cartridge housing 30 is connected to the capacitor 10 via the rectifier circuit 13 and is also connected to the voltage conversion circuit 14.

[0074] When the coil 11 is placed in an AC magnetic field, for example, by placing it on a charging tray (described later), an induced current is induced in the coil 11 by electromagnetic induction, and the induced current is rectified by the rectifier circuit 13. Then, the capacitor 10 is charged by the rectified current from the rectifier circuit 13.

[0075] Voltage conversion circuit 14 converts the voltage stored in capacitor 10 to a constant voltage and supplies it as a power source for signal transmission circuit 15. This voltage conversion circuit 14 may be a step-down type that makes the voltage lower than the voltage across capacitor 10, or a step-up type that makes the voltage higher than the voltage across capacitor 10. Alternatively, it may be a step-up / step-down type that operates as a step-down circuit when the voltage across capacitor 10 is higher than the constant voltage and operates as a step-up circuit when the voltage across capacitor 10 is lower than the constant voltage.

[0076] In this example, the signal transmission circuit 15 includes an oscillation circuit, generates a signal whose frequency changes according to the capacitance of the variable capacitor 8C that is configured in the pen pressure detection unit 8, and supplies the generated signal to the core body 33. The oscillation circuit of the signal transmission circuit 15 is configured, for example, by an LC oscillation circuit that utilizes resonance between a coil and a capacitor.

[0077] The signal from the signal transmission circuit 15 is emitted from the core 33 as an electric field based on the signal and is detected by a capacitive position detection sensor. A position detection circuit connected to the position detection sensor detects the position coordinates indicated by the core 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 from the position in the position detection sensor where the detected signal was obtained. The position detection circuit also detects the writing pressure applied to the core 33 from the frequency of the detected signal.

[0078] [Example of configuration of the electronic pen charging tray] A description will now be given of a charging tray for an electronic pen for charging a capacitor 10, which is an example of a power storage device built into the electronic pen cartridge 3 housed in the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment. The charging tray for an electronic pen of this example is configured so that the capacitor 10, which is an example of a power storage device built into the electronic pen cartridge 3, can be charged simply by placing the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment on it.

[0079] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a charging tray for an electronic pen. That is, the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen in the example of Fig. 6 is configured to include a tray housing 101 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this example, which is thicker than the thickness of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. In this example, the length in the long side direction of the top surface 101a of this tray housing 101 is longer than the length in the axial direction of the electronic pen 1, and the length in the short side direction is longer than the thickness of the electronic pen 1.

[0080] In this example, a recess 101b is provided in the center of the short side of the top surface 101a of the tray housing 101, extending over the entire long side of the top surface 101a of the tray housing 101. The recess 101b is for placing the electronic pen 1, and the width of the recess 101b is greater than the diameter of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1.

[0081] Then, inside the tray casing 101, magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 are arranged along the forming direction of the recess 101b, in this example, on both sides of the recess 101b. In this case, the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 are arranged so that the flow direction of magnetic fluxes Ba and Bb in the magnetic field generated by AC current supplied to these magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 is along the forming direction of the recess 101b, as shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 are arranged so that the direction of the winding center of each coil 102, 103 is along the forming direction of the recess 101b (the long side direction of the top surface 101a of the tray casing 101).

[0082] In addition, in this example, the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 are arranged and configured to supply AC signals so that the flow directions of the magnetic fluxes Ba and Bb in the magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 are the same and are added together.

[0083] Furthermore, the depth of the recess 101b is set so that when the electronic pen 1 is placed in this recess 101b, the magnetic fluxes Ba and Bb in the magnetic field generated by the alternating current supplied to the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103 efficiently interlink with the coil 11 provided at the rear end of the cartridge housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3.

[0084] 6, an AC signal generating circuit 104 is provided inside the tray housing 101, supplying AC current to the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the electronic pen charging tray 100 is connected to an AC plug that fits into a commercial AC power outlet and is also equipped with a power switch. When the power switch is turned on, a power supply voltage is supplied to the AC signal generating circuit 104, causing AC current to flow through the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103, generating an AC magnetic field for charging that generates magnetic fluxes Ba and Bb.

[0085] To charge the electronic pen 1 using the electronic pen charging tray 100 configured as described above, the electronic pen 1 is placed in the recess 101b of the electronic pen charging tray 100 and the power switch is turned on. Then, an AC signal from the AC signal generating circuit 104 flows to the magnetic field generating coils 102 and 103, generating an AC magnetic field for charging in which magnetic fluxes Ba and Bb interlink with the coil 11 provided in the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 placed in the recess 101b.

[0086] Therefore, an induced current is induced in the coil 11 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1, and this induced current charges the capacitor 10, which is an example of a power storage device, inside the cartridge housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3. This charging puts the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 into a state where it can operate using the active capacitance method.

[0087] In the above example, the electronic pen charging tray 100 is provided with two magnetic field generating coils 102, 103, but the number of magnetic field generating coils may be one. The charging device for the power storage device of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 is not limited to the tray shown in FIG. 6 , but may be, for example, a pen stand into which the electronic pen is inserted. In this case, the magnetic field generating coil is provided so that, when the electronic pen 1 is inserted into the pen stand and placed upright, a magnetic flux is formed that interlinks with the coil 11 provided in the resin pipe portion 31b of the cartridge housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3.

[0088] [Effects of the Electronic Pen and Electronic Pen Cartridge of the First Embodiment] As described above, the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the first embodiment can be configured to be compatible with refills for stationery ballpoint pens. Furthermore, according to the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the first embodiment, the power storage device housed in the cartridge housing 30 is charged by an induced current induced in a coil wound around the rear end of the cartridge housing 30, so there is no need to frequently replace the battery as in the case of using a primary battery.

[0089] According to the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the first embodiment described above, the power storage device built into the electronic pen cartridge 3 can be charged simply by placing the electronic pen cartridge 3 in an environment where an external magnetic field is applied to the coil wound around the rear end of the cartridge housing 30, and charging becomes possible while the electronic pen cartridge 3 is housed inside the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. Furthermore, the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 does not require any special configuration such as providing a charging terminal, and an effect is achieved in that the housing of a stationery ballpoint pen can be used as is.

[0090] [Second embodiment] The active capacitance type electronic pen of the second embodiment is an example of a two-way communication type electronic pen that receives a signal from a position detection sensor that detects the position indicated by the electronic pen and transmits a signal in a format based on the request of the received signal.

[0091] 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.

[0092] Therefore, in this second embodiment, the configuration of the electronic pen cartridge is considered to be optimal for the above-mentioned two-way communication electronic pen. That is, in the embodiment described below, the electronic pen cartridge 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 center electrode so as to cover the vicinity of the tip of the center electrode, while taking into consideration electrical insulation from the core body that serves as the center electrode made of a conductive material.

[0093] Recently, it has been proposed to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen relative 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 cartridge of this second embodiment, the peripheral electrodes are configured so that they can also be used to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the peripheral electrode is also configured to function as a shield electrode for the central electrode that transmits the position detection signal.

[0095] An example of the configuration of an electronic pen and electronic pen cartridge according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 11. The electronic pen and electronic pen cartridge according to the second embodiment described below have the same knock-type ballpoint pen configuration as the first embodiment, and the pen housing is the same as the pen housing 2 of the first embodiment. The electronic pen cartridge according to the second embodiment differs from the electronic pen cartridge 3 according to the first embodiment only in the configuration of the pen tip side, and other configurations are the same as those of the electronic pen cartridge 3 according to the first embodiment. In the following description of the electronic pen and electronic pen cartridge according to the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic pen 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to the example of the configuration of the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of an electronic pen cartridge 3A according to the second embodiment in comparison with a refill for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, corresponding to the example of the configuration of the electronic pen cartridge 3 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The rear end side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 shown in FIG. 2C has a similar configuration to the second electronic pen cartridge 3A, and is therefore omitted from FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3A according to the second embodiment, with FIG. 9A showing its external appearance and FIG. 9B showing its longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[0097] In this second embodiment of the electronic pen cartridge 3A, as shown in Figures 8(B) and 9(A), (B), a peripheral electrode 36 made of a conductive material, such as a conductive metal, is connected to the pen tip side of the cylindrical housing portion 31A via a cylindrical connecting member 35, and a front cap 37 is connected to the pen tip side of this peripheral electrode 36 to form the cartridge housing 30A.

[0098] 8(B), the cylindrical housing portion 31A in this example is configured by connecting a resin pipe portion 31Ab to the rear end side of the metal pipe portion 31Aa opposite to the pen tip side, similar to the cylindrical housing portion 31 of the cartridge housing 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the first embodiment. A coil 11 is wound around the resin pipe portion 31Ab, and one end 11a and the other end 11b of this coil 11 are connected to the electronic circuit inside the cylindrical housing portion 31A, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0099] In the second embodiment, the peripheral electrode 36 is connected to the pen tip side of the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A via a cylindrical connecting member 35. The cylindrical connecting member 35 also serves to insulate between the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A and the peripheral electrode 36. The end of the electronic pen cartridge 3A on the resin pipe portion 31Ab side is a fitting portion that fits into a fitting portion 43a inside the pen housing 2.

[0100] 8 and 9, the peripheral electrode 36 has a cylindrical portion 36a with a constant outer diameter R2 and a tapered portion 36b that tapers gradually toward the pen tip side. The metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter R2 of the cylindrical portion 36a of the peripheral electrode 36.

[0101] The cylindrical joining member 35 is made of an insulating material, resin in this example, and is a cylindrical body as shown in Fig. 9(B), with a ring-shaped flange 35F protruding from the outer circumferential surface formed at a position about midway in the axial direction. This ring-shaped flange 35F has a predetermined width W in the axial direction (see Figs. 9(A) and (B)), and its end face is flush with the cylindrical housing portion 31A and the peripheral electrode 36 without creating any steps, as shown in Figs. 9(A) and (B), so as to form part of the cartridge housing 30A.

[0102] The pen tip side of the cylindrical joining member 35, which is on one side of the ring-shaped flange 35F in the axial direction, is a first fitting cylindrical portion 35a that fits with the cylindrical portion 36a of the peripheral electrode 36. The rear end side of the cylindrical joining member 35 in the axial direction from the ring-shaped flange 35F is a second fitting cylindrical portion 35b that fits with the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A.

[0103] When the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A and the peripheral electrode 36 are inserted into and fitted with the cylindrical connecting member 35 and the front cap 37 is further connected to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36, a single cylindrical cartridge housing 30A is formed as shown in FIGS. 8(B) and 9(A) and (B). As described above, the outer circumferential surfaces of the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A, the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral electrode 36, and the end face of the ring-shaped flange 35F of the cylindrical connecting member 35 are flush with each other. The metal pipe portion 31Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 31A and the peripheral electrode 36, 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 35F of the cylindrical connecting member 35.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 9(B), a hollow portion 30Aa exists inside the cartridge housing 30A. The front cap 37 attached to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36 is made of an insulating material and has an opening 37a (see Fig. 9(B)) at its tip end that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the core body 33 serving as the center electrode, and the opening 37a communicates with the hollow portion 30Aa of the cartridge housing 30A.

[0105] Then, as shown in Figure 9(B), the core 33 serving as the center electrode is inserted into the cartridge housing 30A through the opening 37a of the front cap 37, and the end opposite the pen tip side is removably attached to the core holding member 7.

[0106] The core body 33 made of a conductive material and the peripheral electrode 36 are electrically separated (insulated) by a front cap 37 made of an insulating material, as shown in Fig. 9(B). In the electronic pen cartridge 3A of this second embodiment, when the core body 33 serving as the center electrode is attached, the peripheral electrode 36 is arranged so as to surround the rear end side of the tip portion 33a, which becomes the pen tip, of the core body 33, as shown in Fig. 9(B).

[0107] 8(A) and 8(B), in the second embodiment, the dimensions of the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3A are configured to be approximately equal to the dimensions of the pen tip side of the ballpoint pen refill 6. That is, the outer diameters of the housing tubular portion 31A of the cartridge housing 30A and the cylindrical portion 36a of the peripheral electrode 36 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 FIG.

[0108] The tapered portion 36b on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36 of the cartridge housing 30A has a diameter that gradually decreases as it approaches the pen tip side, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(B), the diameter from the midpoint of the tapered portion 36b 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.

[0109] When the core body 33 is inserted into the electronic pen cartridge 3A through the opening 37a of the front cap 37 and attached, the length from the tip of the core body 33 to the position where the outer diameter of the tapered portion 36b of the peripheral electrode 36 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.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the length (total length) of the electronic pen cartridge 3A with the core 33 attached is set equal to the total length L2 of the refill 6 of the ballpoint pen.

[0111] The electronic pen cartridge 3A configured as described above can be stored in the pen housing 2 by fitting its cylindrical housing portion 31A into the fitting portion 43a of the rotor 43 of the knock cam mechanism 4. When using the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment together with a position detection device, the user also presses down the end portion 42a of the knock rod 42. Then, in the electronic pen 1A, the tip portion 33a of the core body 33, a portion of the front cap 37, and a portion of the pen tip side of the tapered portion 36b of the peripheral electrode 36 protrude outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2, as shown in FIG.

[0112] That is, in this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, not only the tip of the core 33 attached to the electronic pen cartridge 3A but also a portion of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36 configured to surround the periphery of the core 33 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1A. In this state, the user of the electronic pen 1A inputs a pointed position on the position detection sensor of the position detection device. Therefore, the core 33 and the peripheral electrode 36 as the center electrode protrude from the opening of the pen housing 2 to the outside, resulting in a state of strong electric field coupling between the core 33 and the peripheral electrode 36 and the position detection sensor.

[0113] 7A, the entire electronic pen cartridge 3A is accommodated in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2. At this time, the entire electronic pen cartridge 3A is accommodated in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and the tip portion 33a of the core body 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A is protected by the pen housing 2.

[0114] 8(B) and 9(A), the hollow portion 30Aa of the cartridge housing 30A also in this second embodiment is housed and arranged in the axial direction in that order from the pen tip side, including a core body holding member 7, a writing pressure detection unit 8, a printed circuit board 9 on which an electronic circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 10 as an example of an electricity storage device for supplying power voltage, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 8(B) and FIG. 9(A). The configurations of the core body holding member 7, the writing pressure detection unit 8, the printed circuit board 9 on which an electronic circuit is mounted, and the capacitor 10 as an example of an electricity storage device for supplying power voltage in this second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] The electrical connection between the peripheral electrode 36 and the circuit section of the printed circuit board 9 is made using a connection terminal conductor 16 that penetrates the flange 35F of the tubular joining member 35 and is arranged in a state of not contacting the metal pipe section 31Aa of the tubular housing section 31A, as shown in Fig. 9(B). One end 16a of the connection terminal conductor 16 comes into contact with the inner wall of the peripheral electrode 36 to make an electrical connection therebetween, and the other end 16b of the connection terminal conductor 16 is electrically connected to the rear surface 9b of the printed circuit board 9, as shown in Fig. 9(B).

[0116] [Example of Electronic Circuit Configuration of Electronic Pen Cartridge 3A of Second Embodiment] Next, an example of the electrical configuration of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of this second embodiment is shown in Fig. 10. In this example, as shown in Fig. 10, a control circuit 201 is configured by an IC (Integrated Circuit) mounted on a printed circuit board 9. A signal transmission circuit 202 and a signal reception circuit 203 are connected to this control circuit 201, and a variable capacitor 8C that constitutes the writing pressure detection unit 8 is also connected to it. A resistor 8R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor 8C.

[0117] The signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the core 33 through the switch circuit 204. In this case, the conductive terminal member 74, the core holder 72, and the conductive elastic member 71 are interposed between the core 33 and the switch circuit 204, as described above.

[0118] In this example, the signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to a terminal S of the changeover switch circuit 205. The movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to the peripheral electrode 36. In this case, the connection terminal conductor 16 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 36 and the changeover switch circuit 205.

[0119] A terminal R of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to the input terminal of the signal receiving circuit 203. A terminal G of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to an earth electrode (ground electrode).

[0120] The control circuit 201 then supplies the switch circuit 204 with a control signal SW1 that controls the on / off of the switch circuit 204. The control circuit 201 also supplies the changeover switch circuit 205 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.

[0121] 10, the second embodiment also has a configuration in which the capacitor 10 is charged by an induced current induced in the coil 11. The voltage of the capacitor 10 is supplied as a power supply voltage to each of the control circuit 201, the signal transmitting circuit 202, the signal receiving circuit 203, the switch circuit 204, and the changeover switch circuit 205.

[0122] The signal receiving circuit 203 receives a signal received by the peripheral electrode 36 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 201.

[0123] The control circuit 201 analyzes the signal from the signal receiving circuit 203 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 201 then controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmitting circuit 202 so that it matches the specifications of the partner position detection device, and interacts with the position detection sensor at the determined timing.

[0124] The signal transmission circuit 202 basically outputs, under the control of the control circuit 201, 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 202 also outputs a signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1A. That is, under the control of the control circuit 201, the signal transmission circuit 202 sends out burst signals for position detection and for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1A.

[0125] The control circuit 201 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 202 is transmitting a burst signal for position detection.

[0126] In this example, the control circuit 201 first charges the variable capacitor 8C to a fully charged state, then stops charging, causing the variable capacitor 8C to discharge through the resistor 8R. The control circuit 201 then measures the time from when the discharge starts until the voltage across the variable capacitor 8C reaches a predetermined voltage, and detects the capacitance of the variable capacitor 8C at that time. The capacitance of the variable capacitor 8C corresponds to the writing pressure applied to the core 33 at that time, so the writing pressure is detected based on the detected capacitance.

[0127] Then, the control circuit 201 converts the detected writing pressure into a multi-bit digital signal in this example, and controls the signal transmission circuit 202 so that writing pressure information corresponding to this digital signal is output from the signal transmission circuit 202.

[0128] In this embodiment, the control circuit 201 executes, in a time-division manner, a position detection period Ta in which a burst signal for position detection and writing pressure detection information are sent to the position detection device, and a tilt detection period Tb in which the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1A is detected.

[0129] During the position detection period Ta, the switch circuit 204 is turned on by the control signal SW1, and the changeover switch circuit 205 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal G by the changeover control signal SW2. During the tilt detection period Tb, the switch circuit 204 is turned off by the control signal SW1, and the changeover switch circuit 205 connects the movable terminal M to the terminal S by the changeover control signal SW2. During this tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 201 controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to generate a burst signal for tilt detection.

[0130] As shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 11(A), when the core 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the electronic pen 1A is perpendicular to the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor, during the position detection period Ta, electrostatic coupling occurs between the tip 33a of the core 33 and the position detection sensor, and the electrostatically coupled area OBa on the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor is a perfect circular area as shown in Fig. 11(B). On the other hand, during the tilt detection period Tb, electrostatic coupling occurs between the peripheral electrode 36 and the position detection sensor, and the electrostatically coupled area OBb on the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor is a ring-shaped area as shown in Fig. 11(C).

[0131] 11(D), when the core 33 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the electronic pen 1A is tilted with respect to the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor, the area OBa where the tip 33a of the core 33 is electrostatically coupled with the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor during the position detection period Ta remains an approximately circular area as shown in FIG. 11(E). On the other hand, the area OBb where the peripheral electrode 36 is electrostatically coupled with the input surface 210 of the position detection sensor during the tilt detection period Tb becomes an elliptical area that is elongated in the direction of the tilt and depends on the tilt angle as shown in FIG.

[0132] Therefore, the position detection device can detect the magnitude of the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1A from the length of the oval direction of the elliptical shape of area OBb shown in Figure 11 (F), and can detect the tilt direction of the electronic pen 1A by detecting the oval direction of the elliptical shape of area OBb starting from the pointing position of the electronic pen 1A shown in Figure 11 (E).

[0133] [Effects of the second embodiment] The electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment not only provides the same effects as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above, but also provides the following effects.

[0134] That is, in the second embodiment, when the electronic pen 1A is used, the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3A protrudes outward from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1A, and not only the tip portion 33a of the core body 33 but also a portion of the tapered portion 36b on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2.

[0135] Therefore, even when the electronic pen 1A of this second embodiment is made thinner, it can be strongly coupled to the position detection sensor through an electric field, and the position detection device can detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 1A with high sensitivity.

[0136] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the electronic pen cartridge 3A 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 1A instead of the electronic pen cartridge 3A.

[0137] [Modification of the electronic pen cartridge] 12A shows a first modified example of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above. In the description of the electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example, the same components as those of the electronic pen cartridge 3A described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] The electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example uses a peripheral electrode 36B that has a different shape from the peripheral electrode 36 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above. That is, as shown in Fig. 12(A), the peripheral electrode 36B of the electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example has a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, and this outer diameter is set to a diameter R1 that is smaller than the diameter of the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1B of this example (see Fig. 1). In this example, a front cap 37B made of an insulating material is attached to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36B.

[0139] The cartridge housing 30B of the electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example includes a cylindrical housing portion 31A consisting of a metal pipe portion 31Aa and a resin pipe portion 31Ab, similar to the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment. As in the second embodiment, a coil 11 is attached to the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31Ab, and one end 11a and the other end 11b of the coil 11 are connected to an electronic circuit within the cartridge housing 30B.

[0140] And in the electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example, since the configuration of the peripheral electrode 36B is different from that of the peripheral electrode 36 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment, the cylindrical coupling member 35B for coupling the peripheral electrode 36B to the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the housing cylindrical portion 31A is configured to be able to couple the peripheral electrode 36B to the metal pipe portion 31Aa of the housing cylindrical portion 31A via a ring-shaped flange portion 35BF in accordance with the configuration of the peripheral electrode 36B. Also, the front cap 37B is also configured to be changed in accordance with the configuration of the peripheral electrode 36B.

[0141] The other configurations of the electronic pen cartridge 3B of this example are the same as those of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above.

[0142] Therefore, even in the electronic pen using the electronic pen cartridge 3B of the example in FIG. 12(A), the same operational effects as those of the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment can be obtained. During use, from the opening of the pen housing 2 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 12(A), the core 33, the front cap 37B, and a part of the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36B protrude to the outside. In this case, at the opening portion of the pen housing 2, a cylindrical portion with a certain outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 36B is positioned. Thus, by adjusting the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the peripheral electrode 36B, it can be easily ensured that the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3B does not rattle at the opening of the pen housing 2.

[0143] Next, the example in FIG, 12(B) shows another example of a modification of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above. In the electronic pen cartridge 3C of this example, the housing cylindrical portion 31C and the cylindrical coupling member 35C of the cartridge housing 30C are different from those of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above, and the other parts have the same configuration.

[0144] The cartridge housing 30C of the electronic pen cartridge 3C in this example includes a cylindrical housing portion 31C with an outer diameter R3 that is larger than the outer diameter R2 of the cylindrical housing portion 31A of the electronic pen cartridge 3A described above. That is, in this example as well, the cylindrical housing portion 31C is configured by connecting a resin pipe portion 31Cb to the rear end of a metal pipe portion 31Ca. Then, as in the above example, a coil 11C is attached to the outer periphery of the resin pipe portion 31Cb, and one end 11Ca and the other end 11Cb of the coil 11C are connected to an electronic circuit within the cartridge housing 30C.

[0145] In this example of electronic pen cartridge 3C, taking into consideration that the diameter of the housing cylindrical portion 31C is different from that of electronic pen cartridge 3A, the cylindrical connecting member 35C that connects the peripheral electrode 36 to the housing cylindrical portion 31C is configured so that the peripheral electrode 36 can be connected to the housing cylindrical portion 31C via the ring-shaped flange portion 35CF in accordance with the configuration of the housing cylindrical portion 31C.

[0146] In the electronic pen cartridge 3C of this example, the cylindrical housing portion 31C has a large outer diameter R3 as described above, and therefore a large inner diameter and therefore a large hollow space. In the electronic pen cartridge 3C of this example, the large hollow space of the cylindrical housing portion 31C is used to store, as the power storage device, a capacitor 10C that is larger than the aforementioned capacitor 10 and has a large power storage capacity. The other configurations are the same as those of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment described above.

[0147] The electronic pen housing 2C that houses the electronic pen cartridge 3C of this example has a diameter larger than the diameter of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pens 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments described above. Some stationery ballpoint pens also use housings that accommodate ballpoint pen refills of this type with a larger diameter, and the electronic pen cartridge 3C of the example of Fig. 12 also has the advantage that the housing of a stationery ballpoint pen can be used as is.

[0148] The electronic pen cartridge 3D shown in FIG. 12(C) is a modified version of the electronic pen cartridge 3B shown in FIG. 12(A). The peripheral electrode 36D of the electronic pen cartridge 3D of the example shown in FIG. 12(C) differs from the peripheral electrode 36B of the electronic pen cartridge 3B of the example shown in FIG. 12(A) in that the peripheral electrode 36D of the electronic pen cartridge 3D of this example shown in FIG. 12(C) has a tapered portion 36Db on the pen tip side. That is, the peripheral electrode 36D of the electronic pen cartridge 3D of this example shown in FIG. 12(C) has a cylindrical portion 36Da 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 36Db is formed on the pen tip side. In this example, a front cap 37D made of an insulating material is provided on the tip of the tapered portion 36Db of the peripheral electrode 36D. The rest of the electronic pen cartridge 3D is configured similarly to the electronic pen cartridge 3B of the example shown in FIG. 12(A).

[0149] Although FIG. 12 shows a modified example of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the second embodiment, a similar modified example can also be applied to the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the first embodiment.

[0150] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments described above, only one electronic pen cartridge is accommodated in the pen housing of the electronic pen. However, commercially available ballpoint pens include multi-color ballpoint pens equipped with refills of different ink colors. This third embodiment provides an electronic pen configured by accommodating an electronic pen cartridge in a pen housing having a similar configuration to the housing of the multi-color ballpoint pen.

[0151] That is, in this third embodiment, one or more electronic pen cartridges are stored in the pen housing of the electronic pen. When using an electronic pen cartridge in the pen housing of the electronic pen, the electronic pen cartridge is selected, and the tip of the pen tip portion of the selected electronic pen cartridge is protruded from the opening on the pen tip side of the pen housing by the knock mechanism so that the electronic pen can be used.

[0152] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of an electronic pen 1M according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 13, a pen housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M is shown in cross section to clearly show the internal configuration.

[0153] The pen housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of a housing and knock mechanism of a commercially available knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen. In the example of Fig. 13, the pen housing 2M is an example of a two-color ballpoint pen.

[0154] The pen housing 2M is a cylindrical body having an opening 2Ma at one end. In this example, as shown in Fig. 13, the pen housing 2M is divided into two halves in the axial direction, a first housing portion 221 and a second housing portion 222, which are joined together at the cartridge holding portion 223, thereby being joined together as a single unit. The opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M is formed on the opposite side to the side of the first housing portion 221 that is joined to the cartridge holding portion 223. The cartridge holding portion 223 has through holes 223a and 223b within the hollow portion of the pen housing 2M, through which two ballpoint pen refills are inserted.

[0155] Second housing portion 222 is provided with knock operation portions 230 and 240 for the two ballpoint pens, as well as stopper 250. Knock operation portion 230 includes protruding portion 231 protruding outward from second housing portion 222, protruding portion 232 protruding in the central axis direction of second housing portion 222, and notched groove 234 that engages with stopper 250. Similarly, knock operation portion 240 includes protruding portion 241 protruding outward from second housing portion 222, protruding portion 242 protruding in the central axis direction of second housing portion 222, and notched groove 244 that engages with stopper 250. A recessed portion 251 that engages with notched groove 234 of knock operation portion 230 or notched groove 244 of knock operation portion 240 is formed at the tip of stopper 250.

[0156] The pen tip side ends of the knock operation unit 230 and the knock operation unit 240 are fitting portions 230a and 240a into which a ballpoint pen refill is fitted. Return springs 235 and 245 are provided between the fitting portions 230a and 240a of the knock operation unit 230 and the cartridge holding portion 223. These return springs 235 and 245 are elastic members for returning the knock operation units 230 and 240 to their original positions.

[0157] In the example of Figure 13, for the pen housing 2M for a multi-color ballpoint pen configured as described above, instead of a ballpoint pen refill, the rear end of an electronic pen cartridge 3AES having a configuration similar to the active capacitance type electronic pen cartridge 3 or 3A of the first or second embodiment described above is fitted into and stored in the fitting portion 230a of the knock operation portion 230 within the pen housing 2M, and the rear end of an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR is fitted into and stored in the fitting portion 240a of the knock operation portion 240.

[0158] The electronic pen cartridge 3AES of this example is configured similarly to the electronic pen cartridges 3, 3A of the first embodiment, except that it is configured to have the same dimensions as the refill of a multi-color ballpoint pen. Also, the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR of this example is configured to have the same dimensions as the refill of a multi-color ballpoint pen.

[0159] 13(B) is a diagram illustrating the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR of this example. The cartridge housing 30EMR of the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR of this example is composed of a resin tubular housing portion 31EMR with the same outer diameter as the tubular housing portion 31 of the electronic pen cartridge 3AES. A magnetic core wound with a coil 38, in this example a ferrite core 39, is coupled and attached to the pen tip side of the tubular housing portion 31EMR.

[0160] The outer diameter of the ferrite core 39 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M. In this example, the ferrite core 39 is made up of a tapered portion 39a on the pen tip side and a coil winding portion 39b of a constant diameter, and the coil 38 is wound around the coil winding portion 39b.

[0161] Although not shown, the hollow portion of this cylindrical housing portion 31EMR is provided with a core holder, a writing pressure detection portion, and a printed circuit board on which a capacitor connected in parallel with the coil 38 is mounted, similar to the electronic pen cartridges 3, 3A. In the case of this electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR, a resonant circuit made up of the coil 38 and the capacitor receives a signal from the position detection sensor by electromagnetic coupling, and the received signal is fed back from the resonant circuit to the position detection sensor to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen, so no power supply circuit is required.

[0162] A through-hole is formed in the ferrite core 39 in the axial direction, and a core 33EMR made of a relatively hard and elastic resin material, such as POM (Polyoxymethylene), is inserted through this through-hole and held in a core holding section within the hollow section of the cylindrical housing section 31EMR. The core holding member and the writing pressure detection section are configured in the same manner as the core holding member 7 and the writing pressure detection section 8 of the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3 described above.

[0163] In the electronic pen 1M configured as described above, when either the knock operation unit 230 or the knock operation unit 240 is slid, the cutout groove 234 or 244 of either the slid knock operation unit 230 or 240 fits into the recess 251 of the stopper 250 and becomes locked in that position.

[0164] In this case, when the knock operation unit 230 is operated, the tip 33a of the core body 33 of the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3AES and the pen tip side of the front cap 32, or the front cap 37 and the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 36, protrude from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M, and the electronic pen 1M operates as a capacitance-type electronic pen, as in the first and second embodiments described above.

[0165] Furthermore, when the knock operation unit 240 is operated, the core body 33EMR of the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR and the pen tip side of the ferrite core 39 protrude from the opening 2Ma of the pen housing 2M, and the electronic pen 1M enters a state in which it operates as an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen.

[0166] In this case, since the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3AES of this embodiment is equipped with a charging coil 11, it is necessary to consider the magnetic relationship with the coil 38 of the electromagnetic induction-type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR. However, in the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3AES of this embodiment, the charging coil 11 is provided in the resin pipe portion 31AESb at the rear end of the cartridge housing 30AES of the electronic pen cartridge 3AES, and is located far away in the axial direction from the coil 38 of the electromagnetic induction-type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR. Therefore, there is almost no effect on the electromagnetic coupling between the coil 38 of the electromagnetic induction-type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR and the position detection sensor.

[0167] Then, after performing an operation (knock operation) to slide either knock operation unit 230 or knock operation unit 240 toward the pen tip side, by operating the knock operation unit that was not operated to slide toward the pen tip side, the knock operation unit that had slid toward the pen tip side can be returned to its original position.

[0168] As described above, the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment has the advantage that it can selectively use either the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3AES or the electromagnetic induction-type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR by knocking. Furthermore, the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment can also be conveniently placed in the recess 101b of the electronic pen charging tray 100 shown in Figure 6, since the capacitor of the power storage device of the capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge 3AES can be charged.

[0169] In the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment, by fitting a ballpoint pen refill into the knock operation unit 240 instead of the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen cartridge 3EMR, it is possible to provide an electronic pen that can select between the function of a stationery ballpoint pen and the function of a capacitance type electronic pen.

[0170] Although the third embodiment is an example in which two knock operation units are provided, the number of knock operation units may be three or more.

[0171] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the electronic pen cartridges of the first to third embodiments described above, the part of the cartridge housing where the coil 11 is provided is a resin pipe part, but it is not limited to resin and may be made of any insulating material such as a ferrite core or ceramic.

[0172] In the electronic pen cartridges of the first to third embodiments described above, the cartridge housing 30 may be configured to consist of only a metal pipe portion, and the coil 11 may be provided on the metal pipe portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 1, 1A, 1M...electronic pen, 2, 2M...pen housing, 3, 3A, 3AES...capacitive electronic pen cartridge, 11...coil, 30, 30A...cartridge housing, 31, 31A...tubular housing portion, 31a1Aa...metal pipe portion, 31b, 31Ab...resin pipe portion, 33...core body, 36...peripheral electrode, 100...charging tray for electronic pen

Claims

1. An electronic pen cartridge in which at least a pen tip is accommodated in a pen housing of an electronic pen so as to be able to protrude from one opening in an axial direction of the pen housing, A cartridge housing; a conductive first electrode whose one end in the axial direction becomes the pen tip; an electronic circuit provided in the cartridge housing, the electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to the position detection sensor through the first electrode; a chargeable power storage device provided in the cartridge housing and supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit; a coil wound around the outside of the cartridge housing; Equipped with The power storage device is configured to be charged by an induced current induced in the coil based on an externally supplied magnetic field. An electronic pen cartridge characterized by:

2. A charging circuit for charging the power storage device is provided inside the cartridge housing, and the coil is electrically connected to the charging circuit.

2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

3. The portion of the cartridge housing around which the coil is wound is an insulating material, which is made of resin.

2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

4. The portion of the cartridge housing around which the coil is wound is an insulating material and a magnetic material.

2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

5. The coil is provided at a rear end portion of the cartridge casing on the opposite side of the pen tip in the axial direction of the cartridge casing, in a state where it is wound around the outside of the rear end portion.

2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

6. a portion of the cartridge housing other than a portion around which the coil is wound is made of metal; The ground terminal of the electronic circuit is electrically connected to the portion of the cartridge housing made of metal, and one end of the coil is electrically connected to the portion of the cartridge housing made of metal.

2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

7. a second electrode disposed around the first electrode except for at least the pen tip and insulated from the first electrode; 2. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen cartridge is a cartridge having a plurality of openings.

8. When the signal is supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the first electrode, the second electrode is grounded and functions as a shield electrode.

8. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 7.

9. 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.

8. The electronic pen cartridge according to claim 7.

10. An electronic pen having a pen housing with an opening at one end in an axial direction on the pen tip side, and at least one electronic pen cartridge housed in the pen housing, The electronic pen cartridge comprises: A cartridge housing; a conductive first electrode whose one end in the axial direction becomes the pen tip; an electronic circuit provided in the cartridge housing, the electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to the position detection sensor through the first electrode; a chargeable power storage device provided in the cartridge housing and supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit; a coil wound around the outside of the cartridge housing; Equipped with The power storage device is configured to be charged by an induced current induced in the coil based on an externally supplied magnetic field. An electronic pen characterized by:

11. The coil is provided at a rear end portion of the cartridge casing on the opposite side of the pen tip in the axial direction of the cartridge casing, in a state where it is wound around the outside of the rear end portion.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 10.

12. The electronic pen cartridge comprises: a second electrode disposed around the first electrode except for at least the pen tip and insulated from the first electrode; The one end side of the first electrode, which becomes the pen tip, protrudes to the outside from the opening of the pen housing. When in use, a part of the second electrode on the pen tip side also protrudes to the outside from the opening of the pen housing.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 10.

13. The diameter of the portion of the electronic pen cartridge protruding from the opening of the pen housing is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the pen tip of a refill of a ballpoint pen, and the length of the electronic pen cartridge is substantially the same as the length of the refill of the ballpoint pen.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 10.

14. The pen housing accommodates a refill for the ballpoint pen and functions as a ballpoint pen.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

15. A knock-type ballpoint pen mechanism for the electronic pen cartridge or the ballpoint pen refill is provided in the pen housing.

15. The electronic pen according to claim 13 or claim 14.

16. The pen housing is provided with a mechanism for a knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen that accommodates a plurality of the electronic pen cartridges and selectively allows the pen tip side of one of the electronic pen cartridges to protrude to the outside through the opening.

11. The electronic pen according to claim 10.

17. The pen housing stores refills for the ballpoint pen instead of one or more of the electronic pen cartridges, and functions as a knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen.

14. The electronic pen according to claim 13.

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