Capacitive electronic pen, capacitive electronic pen cartridge, charging tray for electronic pen, and charging tray for electronic pen cartridge

Abstract

Provided is a capacitive type electronic pen with which it is easy to charge an electricity storage device stored in a housing. The capacitive type electronic pen has a cylindrical pen housing in which an electronic circuit including a signal generation circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor, and a chargeable electricity storage device that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit are mounted. The capacitive type electronic pen includes a first conductor part and a second conductor part which are exposed to the outside so as to function as power receiving electrodes by being connected, contactlessly by electric field coupling, to power transmission electrodes of a power transmission unit of an external charging device. The electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that can charge the electricity storage device by being connected to the first conductor part and the second conductor part. At least one of the first conductor part and the second conductor part is constituted by a portion of the pen housing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitive electronic pen and a capacitive electronic pen cartridge that transmit and receive signals with a position detection sensor by electric field coupling, and also to a charging tray for an electronic pen and a charging tray for an electronic pen cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] An active capacitive electronic pen incorporates a signal transmission circuit and a power supply that supplies a power supply voltage to the signal transmission circuit, and has a core made of a conductor, so that a signal from the signal transmission circuit is transmitted from the conductor core to a position detection sensor by electrostatic coupling (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Publication No. 5687398)).

[0003] Due to the recent trend toward miniaturization, there is a growing demand for smaller portable electronic devices. For this reason, 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] When a primary battery is used as the power source for an active capacitance type electronic pen, a small dedicated primary battery is required to meet the demand for slimness, and there is a problem in that the primary battery needs to be replaced frequently.

[0005] Therefore, it has been proposed to use a rechargeable power storage device such as a miniaturized secondary battery or an electric double-layer capacitor as the power source for an active capacitance type electronic pen, and to configure the power storage device so that it can be charged from an external source.

[0006] For this reason, the pen housing of this type of active capacitance type electronic pen is provided with a charging electrode that can be exposed to the outside.

[0007] Also proposed is an active capacitance type electronic pen in which a power storage device is provided within a housing, and a component in which a coil is 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 2 (WO2014 / 097953A1)). In the active capacitance type electronic pen of Patent Document 2, a conductive core is configured to be inserted through a through hole in the ferrite core. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5687398 [Patent Document 2] WO2014 / 097953A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, providing a charging electrode for charging the power storage device on the pen housing of the electronic pen increases the number of parts and requires the pen housing to have a special configuration, resulting in problems of high costs.

[0010] In this regard, the electronic pen of Patent Document 2 does not have the above problem because it is not necessary to provide a charging electrode that is exposed to the outside from the pen housing.

[0011] However, as an active capacitance type electronic pen, there is also a two-way communication type electronic pen in which a core body is used as a central electrode, a peripheral electrode is provided to surround the central electrode, and a signal is sent and received between the central electrode and the peripheral electrode and a position detection sensor. However, in the active capacitance type electronic pen of Patent Document 2, as described above, the conductive core body must be configured to pass through the through hole of the ferrite core. Therefore, in the case of this type of two-way communication type active capacitance type electronic pen cartridge, the peripheral electrode and the ferrite core around which a coil is wound overlap, making it difficult to make it thinner.

[0012] Recently, electronic pens have 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). The use of such electronic pen cartridges has the advantage that it is possible to use the housing of a stationery ballpoint pen as is. 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.

[0013] In this case, the electronic pen cartridge needs to be the same thickness and length as a refill for a ballpoint pen, but it is very difficult to provide a charging electrode for charging the power storage device housed in the cartridge housing so that it can be exposed from the cartridge housing. Therefore, it is possible to provide a charging electrode on the pen housing and use the charging electrode of the pen housing to charge the power storage device of the electronic pen cartridge, but in that case, there is a problem that the housing of a stationery ballpoint pen cannot be used as it is.

[0014] Furthermore, even if a charging method using electromagnetic induction as in Patent Document 2 is adopted as the charging method for the power storage device of the electronic pen cartridge, in the case of the electronic pen cartridge for the above-mentioned two-way communication type electronic pen, the peripheral electrodes and the ferrite core around which the coil is wound overlap, making it difficult to make the thickness compatible with the refills of stationery ballpoint pens.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen and an electronic pen cartridge that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, A capacitive electronic pen having an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit for generating a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor and a chargeable power storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit, the electronic circuit being provided in a cylindrical pen housing, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and to function as a power receiving electrode, the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to enable charging of the power storage device; At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is formed as a part of the pen housing. The present invention provides a capacitive electronic pen characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0017] Also, A capacitive electronic pen cartridge in which at least the pen tip is removably housed in a cylindrical pen housing of an electronic pen in a state in which it can protrude from one opening in an axial direction of the pen housing, an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor is provided in a cylindrical cartridge housing, and a rechargeable power storage device that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit is provided, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and to function as a power receiving electrode, the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to enable charging of the power storage device; At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is formed of a part of the cartridge housing. The present invention provides a capacitance-type electronic pen cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0018] According to the electronic pen having the above-mentioned configuration, the conductor portion of the cylindrical housing of the electronic pen operates as a power receiving electrode that is electrically coupled to the power transmitting electrode of the external power transmitting unit without contact. As a result, the power storage device in the housing of the electronic pen is charged by the power transmitted from the external power transmitting unit. Therefore, according to the electronic pen having the above-mentioned configuration, the power storage device in the housing can be charged without providing an additional configuration such as providing a charging electrode in the cylindrical housing or winding a coil in the case of electromagnetic induction, and an active capacitance type electronic pen can be easily made slimmer.

[0019] Similarly, according to the electronic pen cartridge having the above-mentioned configuration, the conductor portion of the cylindrical cartridge housing of the electronic pen cartridge operates as a power receiving electrode that is electrically coupled to the power transmitting electrode of the external power transmitting unit without contact. As a result, the power storage device in the cartridge housing of the electronic pen cartridge is charged by the power transmitted from the external power transmitting unit. Therefore, according to the electronic pen cartridge having the above-mentioned configuration, the power storage device in the cartridge housing can be charged without providing an additional configuration such as providing a charging electrode or winding a coil in the case of electromagnetic induction in the cylindrical cartridge housing, and it is easy to achieve a configuration that is compatible with ballpoint pen refills for stationery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a portion of the electronic pen according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a portion of the electronic pen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a configuration example of an embodiment of a charging tray for an electronic pen according to the present invention; [Diagram 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of an electronic circuit of an electronic pen and an electronic circuit of a charging tray according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a timing chart used to explain the operation of the electronic pen of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a second embodiment of an electronic pen of the present invention, which includes an embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a third embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating examples of an electronic circuit of an electronic pen and an electronic circuit of a charging tray according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration of another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration of a charging tray for another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of still another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another circuit example of a power transmission method using electric field coupling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a capacitive electronic pen and a capacitive electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [First embodiment] The capacitive electronic pen of the first 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.

[0023] In the case of this kind of two-way communication type capacitive electronic pen, the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor is an electric field that can be received by capacitive coupling, and the reach of the signal is very short. Therefore, the receiving unit of the two-way communication type electronic pen should be located close to the pen tip so that the signal from the position detection sensor can be received with high strength.

[0024] Therefore, in this first embodiment, the electronic pen is provided with a receiving unit for signals from the position detection sensor, and this receiving unit is composed of a peripheral electrode made of a cylindrical conductor that surrounds the periphery of the central electrode, covering it up to the vicinity of the tip of the central electrode, while taking into account electrical insulation with the core body serving as the central electrode made of a conductive material.

[0025] Recently, it has been proposed to detect the tilt angle of the electronic pen with respect to the position detection sensor surface (the angle 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 of the first embodiment, the peripheral electrodes are configured so as to be able to be used for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the peripheral electrode is also configured to function as a shield electrode for the central electrode that transmits a position detection signal.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a first embodiment of a capacitance-type electronic pen according to the present invention, Fig. 1(A) is a diagram showing the appearance of the capacitance-type electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, Fig. 1(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pen tip side, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of a pen housing 10 of the capacitance-type electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0028] 1(A) and (B), in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the pen housing 10 is configured such that a peripheral electrode 12 made of a conductive material, for example a conductive metal, is connected to the pen tip side of a cylindrical housing part 11 made of a conductive material, for example a conductive metal, via a cylindrical connecting member 13 made of an insulating material, for example a resin, and a front cap 14 is connected to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 12. The cylindrical connecting member 13 serves as insulation between the cylindrical housing part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12.

[0029] In this example, the peripheral electrode 12 has a cylindrical portion 12a with a constant outer diameter and a tapered portion 12b tapered toward the pen tip side, as shown in Figures 1(A), (B) and 2. In this example, the casing tubular portion 11 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 12a of the peripheral electrode 12, as shown in Figures 1(A), (B) and 2. The front cap 14 is attached to the tapered tip of the tapered portion 12b of the peripheral electrode 12.

[0030] The cylindrical joint member 13 is a cylindrical body as shown in Figures 1(B) and 2, and a ring-shaped flange 13F is formed at the center in the axial direction so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface. This ring-shaped flange 13F has a predetermined width W in the axial direction (see Figures 1(A), (B) and 2), and its end face is flush with the housing cylindrical part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 without any step, as shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), so as to form a part of the pen housing 10.

[0031] The pen tip side of the cylindrical joining member 13, which is one side in the axial direction from the ring-shaped flange portion 13F, is a first fitting cylindrical portion 13a that fits with the cylindrical portion 12a of the peripheral electrode 12. The rear end side in the axial direction from the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical joining member 13 is a second fitting cylindrical portion 13b that fits with the housing cylindrical portion 11.

[0032] When the tubular housing part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 are inserted and fitted into the tubular joint member 13 as shown by the arrows in Fig. 2, and the front cap 14 is further joined to the opening 12c (see Fig. 2) on the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 12, a single cylindrical pen housing 10 is formed as shown in Fig. 1(A). At this time, as described above, the outer peripheral surface of the tubular housing part 11, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral electrode 12, and the end surface of the ring-shaped flange part 13F of the tubular joint member 13 are flush with each other. The tubular housing part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12, which are made of a conductive material, are electrically separated (insulated) from each other without contacting each other due to the presence of the ring-shaped flange part 13F of the tubular joint member 13.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1(B), a hollow portion 10a exists inside the pen housing 10. The front cap 14 attached to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 12 is made of an insulating material and has an opening 14a (see Fig. 1(B)) at its tip side that is larger in diameter than the diameter of the core body 15 that constitutes the center electrode. The opening 14a communicates with the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10.

[0034] Then, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the core body 15 is inserted into the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10 from the opening 14a of the front cap 14. The core body 15 is made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal, and is a rod-shaped body as shown in FIG. 1(B). The core body 15 is configured to be detachably fitted and held in a core body holding member 2 (described later) provided in the pen housing 10 with its tip portion 15a protruding to the outside. In addition, in this example, the opening on the rear end side of the housing cylinder portion 11 of the pen housing 10, which is opposite to the pen tip side, is closed by a lid portion 16 made of, for example, resin, as shown in FIG. 1(A).

[0035] The core body 15 made of a conductive material and the peripheral electrode 12 are electrically separated (insulated) by a front cap 14 made of an insulating material, as shown in Fig. 1(B). In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, when the core body 15 is attached, the rear end side of the tip portion 15a, which is the pen tip of the core body 15, is configured to be surrounded by the peripheral electrode 12, as shown in Fig. 1(B).

[0036] In the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10, there is A ), a core body holding member 2, a pen pressure detection unit 3, a printed circuit board 4 on which an electronic circuit including a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 5 as an example of an electricity storage device for supplying power supply voltage to the electronic circuit are arranged in the axial direction, stored, and disposed in that order from the pen tip side. The electronic circuit mounted on the printed circuit board 4 includes a charging circuit for supplying a charging current to the capacitor 5. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the capacitor 5 is charged by receiving power transmitted from the outside by a non-contact power transmission method using electric field coupling. In this example, the capacitor 5 is formed of, for example, an electric double layer capacitor.

[0037] In the first embodiment, a board holder 6 on which a printed board 4 is placed on a board placement platform portion 61 is housed within the hollow portion 10a of the pen housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1(B).

[0038] The board holder 6 is made of insulating resin, and has a pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 for housing and holding the pen pressure detection unit 3 on the opposite side to the board mounting base part 61 in the longitudinal direction which is the axial direction of the electronic pen 1. The pen pressure detection unit holding part 62 is cylindrical with a hollow part for housing multiple components of the pen pressure detection unit 3. The board mounting base part 61 is boat-shaped for mounting and holding the printed board 4, and is shaped like a cylinder cut in approximately half in the axial direction.

[0039] 1(B), the substrate holder 6 is housed in the pen housing 10 so that the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 62 faces the pen tip side. A core body holding member 2 that fits with the core body 15 and holds the core body 15 is connected to the writing pressure detection unit 3 held by the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 62, and the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the core body 15 is transmitted to the writing pressure detection unit 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6 is selected to be equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical connecting member 13. Then, as shown in Fig. 2, a part of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6 fits into a part of the fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical connecting member 13, thereby restricting the position of the board holder 6 so as not to move in the axial direction within the pen housing 10.

[0041] The core body holding member 2 that fits and holds the core body 15 is composed of a conductive elastic member 21, a core body holder 22, a coil spring 23, and a conductor terminal member 24, as shown in Figures 1(B) and 3. In this embodiment, the core body 15 is joined and held to the core body holder 22 made of a conductive material by being fitted into the core body holder 22 via the conductive elastic member 21, as shown in Figure 1(B). The core body holding member 2 also functions as a member for transmitting the writing pressure applied to the core body 15 to the writing pressure detection unit 3.

[0042] The core body holder 22 is fitted into the holding member 33 of the writing pressure detection unit 3 held in the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 62, so that the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the core body 15 is transmitted to the writing pressure detection unit 3. In this case, the core body holder 22 is configured to be constantly biased toward the core body 15 with respect to the board holder 6 by a coil spring 23, which is an example of an elastic member made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal. The coil spring 23, together with the conductor terminal member 24, constitutes an electrical connection member for transmitting a signal from a signal transmission circuit of an electronic circuit arranged on the printed board 4 to the core body 15.

[0043] FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the core 15, the conductive elastic member 21, the core holder 22, the coil spring 23, the conductive terminal member 24, and the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6. FIG.

[0044] The conductive elastic member 21 is made of, for example, conductive rubber, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a through hole 21a into which the end portion opposite the tip portion 15a of the core body 15 is fitted. The conductive elastic member 21 on the core body 15 side is a thin-walled portion having an outer diameter smaller than the other portions, and has slits 217 The gripping portion is formed to make it easier to grip the core body 15. 216 It is said that.

[0045] By configuring in this way, the core body 15 has a gripping portion 216 , slit 217 The core body 15 is held by the two arc-shaped thin-walled portions formed with the conductive elastic member 21. 216 Furthermore, the core body 15 can be easily pulled out from the conductive elastic member 21 by pulling with a prescribed force.

[0046] The core holder 22 is made of a conductive material, for example, SUS (Steel Special Use Stainless), and has a recessed hole for receiving and fitting the conductive elastic member 21. 224a A housing fitting portion having 224 and a rod-shaped portion that fits into a holding member 33 of the writing pressure detection unit 3, which will be described later. 225 The above components are integrally formed.

[0047] The rod-shaped portion of the core holder 22 in which the conductive elastic member 21 is housed as described above is 225 After the conductive coil spring 23 is attached to the core holder 22, 225 is fitted into the holding member 33 of the writing pressure detection unit 3 held by the writing pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6.

[0048] In this case, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary to supply a transmission signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit configured on the printed circuit board 4 to the core body 15. In this embodiment, an electrical connection member is configured by a coil spring 23 made of a conductive material provided between the core body holder 22 and the writing pressure detection unit holding part 62 of the board holder 6, and a conductor terminal member 24 (see FIG. 3(B)) provided on the writing pressure detection unit holding part 62 of the board holder 6, and this electrical connection member realizes an electrical connection for supplying a signal from the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 4.

[0049] The conductive terminal member 24 is made of a conductive material, for example, SUS, and is inserted into the opening of the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6 as shown in FIGS. Department side and the rod-shaped portion of the core holder 22. 225 1B, the conductor terminal member 24 has an abutment plate portion 241 having a through hole 241a through which the conductor terminal member 24 is inserted. The conductor terminal member 24 also has an extension portion 242 that extends to the board mounting base portion 61, straddling the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6. When the conductor terminal member 24 is attached to the pen pressure detection unit holding portion 62 of the board holder 6, as shown in FIG. 1B, a terminal portion 242a at the tip of the extension portion 242 extending from the conductor terminal member 24 abuts against a conductor on the back side of the printed board 4 placed on the board mounting base portion 61 of the board holder 6, and is soldered, for example. This electrically connects the conductor terminal member 24 to a signal transmission circuit provided on the printed board 4.

[0050] The coil spring 23 elastically contacts the core body holder 22, and also abuts and elastically contacts the contact plate portion 241 of the conductor terminal member 24. The coil spring 23 is made of a conductive material, and the conductive elastic member 21 and the core body holder 22 are conductive, so that the conductive elastic member 21 fitted into the core body holder 22 is electrically connected to the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 4 via the coil spring 23 and the conductor terminal member 24.

[0051] As described above, the core 15 is inserted and fitted into the through hole 21a of the conductive elastic member 21 fitted into the core holder 22 housed in the pen housing 10, and the core 15 is held by the core holder 22 via the conductive elastic member 21. In this state, the core 15 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit of the printed circuit board 4, and a signal from the signal transmission circuit is supplied to the core 15.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the pen pressure detection unit 3 in this example has a well-known configuration consisting of multiple parts, namely, a dielectric 31, a terminal member 32, a holding member 33, a conductive member 34, and an elastic member 35, and is configured as a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes depending on the pen pressure applied to the core body 15.

[0053] Next, the electrical connection between the peripheral electrode 12 and the circuit portion of the printed circuit board 4 will be described.

[0054] Here, FIG. 2 shows the housing tubular part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12, and further the tubular joint member 13, when the substrate holder 6 is viewed from the opposite side to the substrate mounting base part 61. As shown in FIG. 2, a groove 13c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular joint member 13 in a direction along the axial direction of the tubular joint member 13, from the first fitting tubular part 13a through the lower part of the ring-shaped flange part 13F to the second fitting tubular part 13b. A groove 62a is formed on the peripheral side surface of the pen pressure detection part holding part 62 of the substrate holder 6, so as to be continuous with the groove 13c of the second fitting tubular part 13b. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a notch part 61a is formed on the substrate mounting base part 61 of the substrate holder 6, and the back surface 4b side of the printed circuit board 4 to be mounted is configured to be visible from the notch part 61a side.

[0055] 2, the connection terminal conductor 17 made of a conductive material, in this example, a conductive metal, is disposed in the groove 13c and the groove 62a. In this case, the depth of the groove 13c and the groove 62a is configured so that the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor 17 is located lower than the outer circumferential surface of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b. As a result, when the housing cylindrical portion 11 is fitted into the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical joining member 13, an air layer is present between the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor 17 housed in the groove 13c and the groove 62a and the inner wall surface of the housing cylindrical portion 11, and the two are electrically separated (insulated).

[0056] 1(B), the end 17a of the connection terminal conductor 17 disposed in the recessed groove 13c on the first fitting tubular portion 13a side of the tubular joining member 13 is disposed so that at least a portion of the end 17a slightly bulges out from the outer circumferential surface of the first fitting tubular portion 13a. This ensures that when the peripheral electrode 12 is fitted into the first fitting tubular portion 13a of the tubular joining member 13, the end 17a of the connection terminal conductor 17 and the inner wall of the peripheral electrode 12 are in reliable contact with each other, so that the peripheral electrode 12 and the connection terminal conductor 17 are electrically connected to each other.

[0057] An end 17b of the connection terminal conductor 17 extending toward the printed circuit board 4 is bent at the notch 61a of the board holder 6 and electrically connected to the rear surface 4b of the printed circuit board 4. Although not shown in the figure, the end 17b of the connection terminal conductor 17 is electrically connected to the circuit section on the front surface side of the printed circuit board 4 via a through hole.

[0058] The upper surfaces of the connection terminal conductors 17 may be covered with an insulating layer to more reliably insulate the connection terminal conductors 17 from the tubular housing portion 11.

[0059] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 4 is also electrically connected to a cylindrical housing portion 11 made of a conductive metal.

[0060] In the electronic pen 1 configured as above, not only the tip of the core body 15 but also the peripheral electrode 12 configured to surround the periphery of the core body 15 is electric field coupled to the position detection sensor via capacitance. Then, in a position detection device equipped with the position detection sensor, it becomes possible to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 1 within the detection area of ​​the position detection sensor and the tilt of the electronic pen.

[0061] [Charging the capacitor 5 as an example of the power storage device of the electronic pen of the first embodiment] The electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is configured to charge a capacitor 5, which is an example of a power storage device, housed within the pen housing 10 by a charging method using wireless power transmission technology through electric field coupling.

[0062] That is, as described above, in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the pen housing 10 includes the conductive housing tubular portion 11 and the conductive peripheral electrode 12. Therefore, in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, when charging the capacitor 5, the housing tubular portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 are used as power receiving electrodes that receive power by electric field coupling, and the capacitor 5 is charged using a charging circuit configured in an electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 4 based on the power received by this power receiving electrode.

[0063] In this embodiment, a charging tray for an electronic pen on which wireless charging is possible by placing the electronic pen 1 thereon is used as the charging device. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of this charging tray for an electronic pen together with the electronic pen 1. Fig. 4(A) is a perspective view of the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen of this example seen obliquely from above, and Fig. 4(B) is a side view of the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen of this example, and is a diagram for explaining a state in which the electronic pen 1 is placed on the charging tray 100 for an electronic pen.

[0064] 4 is configured to include a rectangular parallelepiped tray housing 101 in this example that is thicker than the thickness of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1. The tray housing 101 is made of an insulating material, resin in this example, and the length of the long side of the top surface 101a is longer than the length of the axial center of the electronic pen 1 in this example, and the length of the short side is longer than the thickness of the electronic pen 1.

[0065] 4(A), in this example, a recess 101b that is slightly longer than the length in the axial direction of the electronic pen 1 is provided along the long side in the center of the short side of the top surface 101a of the tray housing 101. This recess 101b is for storing and placing the electronic pen 1, and the width of this recess 101b is configured to be larger than the thickness of the electronic pen 1. However, this recess 101b has a shape that matches the shape of the pen tip side of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1, and the width of one end side in the longitudinal direction where the pen tip of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 is stored is formed to gradually narrow.

[0066] When a user wishes to charge the capacitor 5 of the electronic pen 1, the user places the electronic pen 1 in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen so that the pen tip side on which the peripheral electrode 12 is provided is located at one end of the recess 101b that gradually narrows, as shown in FIG. 4(A).

[0067] Inside the tray housing 101 of the electronic pen charging tray 100, the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the recessed portion 101b. In this case, the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 are not exposed from the bottom surface of the recessed portion 101b, and a layer made of, for example, a resin constituting the tray housing 101 is provided between the bottom surface and the electrode surfaces of the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103. 101s(See FIG. 4(B)). The power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 are arranged such that, when the electronic pen 1 is placed so as to be housed in the recess 101b, the power transmission electrode 102 and the cylindrical housing portion 11 of the electronic pen 1 face each other via the resin layer 101s, and the power transmission electrode 103 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 face each other via the resin layer 101s.

[0068] The thickness of the layer 101s between the electrode surfaces of the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 and the bottom surface of the recess 101b is selected so that the strength of the electric field coupling due to the coupling capacitance Cm between the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 and the peripheral electrode 12 and the cylindrical housing portion 11 that constitute the power receiving electrode of the electronic pen 1 is appropriate, and is, for example, one to several millimeters.

[0069] The tray housing 101 of the charging tray 100 is provided with an AC signal generating circuit 104 that supplies AC current to the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 in order to transmit power from the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 .

[0070] The depth of the recess 101b is set so that when the electronic pen 1 is placed in this recess 101b, the electric field coupling between the cylindrical housing portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 and the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 has an appropriate strength.

[0071] Although not shown in FIG. 4, the charging tray 100 for electronic pens is connected to an AC plug that fits into a commercial AC power outlet, and is also provided with a power switch.

[0072] To charge the electronic pen 1 using the electronic pen charging tray 100 configured as 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, a power supply voltage is supplied to the AC signal generating circuit 104, and an AC signal from the AC signal generating circuit 104 flows to the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103, and the tubular housing part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 placed in the recess 101b are connected to the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103. ofThe transmission power is transmitted by electric field coupling.

[0073] In the electronic pen 1, the capacitor 5, which is an example of a power storage device, is charged by a charging circuit of an electronic circuit based on the power received by the cylindrical housing part 11 and the peripheral electrode 12. This charging makes the electronic pen 1 ready to operate as an active capacitance type electronic pen.

[0074] As a charging device for the electronic pen, the example in Figure 4 of The present invention is not limited to a tray like that, but may be, for example, a pen holder for inserting an electronic pen.

[0075] [Example of the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and example of the electrical configuration of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen] Next, an example of the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 together with an example of the electrical configuration of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen.

[0076] In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the electronic circuit is made up of an electronic pen circuit 200 which transmits and receives signals to and from the position detection sensor, and a charging circuit 210 for the capacitor 5, as shown in FIG.

[0077] 5, the electronic pen circuit 200 in this example includes a control circuit 201 configured with an IC (Integrated Circuit) mounted on a printed circuit board 4. In the electronic pen circuit 200, a signal transmission circuit 202 and a signal reception circuit 203 are connected to the control circuit 201, and a variable capacitor 3C configured in the writing pressure detection unit 3 is also connected to the control circuit 201. A resistor 3R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor 3C.

[0078] The signal output end of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the core 15 through the switch circuit 204. The switch circuit 204 is controlled to be turned on and off by a switching control signal SW2 from the control circuit 201. In this case, the electrical connection path between the core 15 and the switch circuit 204 is provided via the conductive terminal member 24, the core holder 22, and the conductive elastic member 21, as described above.

[0079] In this embodiment, the cylindrical housing portion 11 of the pen housing 10 is connected to the movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 221, and the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 222. In this case, the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the changeover switch circuit 205 through the connection terminal conductor 17.

[0080] These changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 have fixed terminals CH and P, and in this embodiment, are selectively switched between a state in which the movable terminal M is connected to the fixed terminal CH and a state in which the movable terminal M is connected to the fixed terminal P by a changeover control signal SW1, which will be described later, from the control circuit 201.

[0081] Cylindrical housing part 11 A fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 221 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is connected to the charging circuit 210, and a fixed terminal P is connected to a common earth terminal (ground electrode) with the electronic pen circuit 200. Further, a fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is connected to the charging circuit 210, and a fixed terminal P is connected to a movable terminal M of the changeover switch circuit 205 of the electronic pen circuit 200.

[0082] In this example, a signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to a fixed terminal S of the changeover switch circuit 205. A fixed terminal R of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to an input terminal of the signal reception circuit 203. Furthermore, a fixed terminal G of the changeover switch circuit 205 is connected to an earth electrode (ground electrode). The control circuit 201 supplies the changeover switch circuit 205 with a changeover control signal SW3 for switching whether the movable terminal M is connected to the terminal S, the terminal R, or the terminal G.

[0083] In this embodiment, wireless power transmission is performed between the electronic pen charging tray 100 and the electronic pen 1 by electric field coupling using a parallel resonant circuit configuration, so as to charge the capacitor 5, which is the power storage device of the electronic pen 1.

[0084] 5, one end and the other end of the AC signal generating circuit 104 of the charging tray 100 are connected to one end and the other end of a primary winding 105a of a transformer 105. A capacitor 106 is connected in parallel to a secondary winding 105b of the transformer 105 to form a parallel resonant circuit 107. One end of the parallel resonant circuit 107 is connected to the power transmitting electrode 102, and the other end is connected to the power transmitting electrode 103. connection It has been done.

[0085] On the other hand, in the charging circuit 210 of the electronic pen 1, a capacitor 212 is connected in parallel to a primary winding 211a of a transformer 211 to form a parallel resonant circuit 213. A fixed terminal CH of a changeover switch circuit 221 to which the cylindrical housing portion 11 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 is connected is connected to one end of the parallel resonant circuit 213, and a fixed terminal CH of a changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is connected to the other end of the parallel resonant circuit 213. The resonant frequency of this parallel resonant circuit 213 is configured to be equal to the resonant frequency of the parallel resonant circuit 107 of the charging tray 100.

[0086] One and the other ends of the secondary winding 211b of the transformer 211 are connected to input terminals of a rectifier circuit 214 that performs full-wave rectification, for example, and a capacitor 5 is connected between output terminals of the rectifier circuit 214.

[0087] In this embodiment, the fixed terminal CH of the changeover switch circuit 222 to which the peripheral electrode 12 is connected is also connected to a sensor signal detection circuit 223. This sensor signal detection circuit 223 has a function of monitoring and detecting a signal received from the position detection sensor at the peripheral electrode 12, and supplies an output signal of the detection result to the control circuit 201. The control circuit 201 generates a changeover control signal SW1 that switches the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 based on the detection output of this sensor signal detection circuit 223.

[0088] In this embodiment, the sensor signal detection circuit 223 does not constantly monitor the signal received from the position detection sensor, but only during an intermittent signal reception monitoring period that is repeated at a predetermined cycle. In this way, by operating the sensor signal detection circuit only during the intermittent signal reception monitoring period, consumption of the stored voltage in the capacitor 5 can be reduced.

[0089] When the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223 becomes low level, for example as shown in the first half of FIG. 6(A), indicating that the peripheral electrode 12 is not receiving a signal from the position detection sensor, the control circuit 201 switches the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 to the fixed terminal CH side using the switching control signal SW1, as shown in the first half of FIG. 6(B).

[0090] In addition, when the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223 becomes high level, for example as shown in the latter half of FIG. 6(A), indicating that the peripheral electrode 12 has detected reception of a signal from the position detection sensor, the control circuit 201 switches the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 to the fixed terminal P side using the switching control signal SW1, as shown in the latter half of FIG. 6(B).

[0091] Therefore, in an environment in which the electronic pen 1 does not receive a signal from the position detection sensor (an environment in which the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor are not electric field coupled), in the electronic pen 1, the control circuit 201 generates a switching control signal SW1 based on the detection signal from the sensor signal detection circuit 223, and the switching circuit 221 and the switching circuit 222 are switched to the fixed terminal CH side, and the housing cylindrical portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 are connected to the charging circuit 210.

[0092] In this state, when the electronic pen 1 is stored and placed in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 as described above, the power transmission electrode 102 and the power transmission electrode 103 of the charging tray 100 and the housing tubular portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 are electric field coupled to each other via the coupling capacitance Cm, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0093] As a result, AC power generated by an AC signal from the AC signal generating circuit 104 of the charging tray 100 is transmitted from the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 to the cylindrical housing 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 serving as power receiving electrodes of the electronic pen 1 via the coupling capacitance Cm. In the electronic pen 1, the AC power transmitted to the cylindrical housing 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 214 via the transformer 211, and the capacitor 5 is charged by the rectified output. The voltage across the capacitor 5 is supplied as a power supply voltage VB to each of the control circuit 201, the signal transmitting circuit 202, the signal receiving circuit 203, the switch circuit 204, the changeover switch circuit 205, and the sensor signal detecting circuit 223 of the electronic pen circuit 200.

[0094] On the other hand, when the electronic pen 1 is in an environment where it receives a signal from the position detection sensor (an environment where the electronic pen 1 is electrically coupled to the position detection sensor), the control circuit 201 in the electronic pen 1 switches the changeover switch circuit 221 and the changeover switch circuit 222 to the fixed terminal P side by the changeover control signal SW1 generated based on the detection signal from the sensor signal detection circuit 223, so that the cylindrical housing part 11 is connected to the earth electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200 and the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the changeover switch circuit 205 of the electronic pen circuit 200. Since the user of the electronic pen 1 holds the cylindrical housing part 11 in his / her hand, the earth electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200 is connected to the earth (earth) through the user's body, and the electronic pen 1 operates stably.

[0095] At this time, the changeover switch circuit 222 Fixed By switching to terminal P, the sensor signal detection circuit 223 can no longer detect the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor, and its detection output becomes low level, indicating that the peripheral electrode 12 is not receiving a signal from the position detection sensor.

[0096] However, in this embodiment, even if the detection output from the sensor signal detection circuit 223 changes from a high level to a low level, the control circuit 201 does not immediately turn on the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222. Fixed Do not switch to the terminal CH side.

[0097] That is, in this embodiment, in the operating state of the electronic pen circuit 200 in which the change-over switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side, the control circuit 201 controls the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen circuit 200 in a time-division manner between a signal reception mode in which a signal is received from the position detection sensor and a signal transmission mode in which a signal is transmitted to the position detection sensor, as shown in FIG. 6(C), and furthermore, immediately after switching to the fixed terminal P side, the signal reception mode is set.

[0098] In this signal reception mode, as described later, a signal received by the peripheral electrode 12 from the position detection sensor is detected by the signal reception circuit 203, and the detection output is supplied to the control circuit 201. Therefore, the control circuit 201 maintains a state in which the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side by the changeover control signal SW1.

[0099] In this embodiment, the control circuit 201 controls the switching control signal SW1 to switch the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal CH side when no signal is detected from the position detection sensor for a period longer than the repeating cycle of the signal reception mode, for example, a period multiple times the repeating cycle of the signal reception mode. This is to maintain the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 switched to the fixed terminal P side even if the user removes the electronic pen 1 from the position detection sensor for a short period of time while indicating a position with the electronic pen 1.

[0100] When the change-over switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal P side, electric field coupling is established between the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor, enabling them to interact with each other. Therefore, the electronic pen circuit 200 performs the operation described below (referred to as electronic pen operation), and in response to this, although not shown in the figure, a position detection device equipped with a position detection sensor detects the position indicated by the electronic pen 1, and also performs processing such as pen pressure detection and tilt detection.

[0101] 6(E), in the signal reception mode, the electronic pen circuit 200 turns off the switch circuit 204 and does not transmit a signal from the core body 15 serving as the central electrode. Note that even when the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 are switched to the fixed terminal CH side, the switch circuit 204 is turned off and no signal is transmitted from the core body 15. This is to avoid unnecessary power consumption.

[0102] In the signal reception mode, the control circuit 201 switches the changeover switch circuit 205 to the fixed terminal R side by the changeover control signal SW3, as shown in Fig. 6(F). Therefore, the signal reception circuit 203 receives a signal from the position detection sensor received by the peripheral electrode 12 through the changeover switch circuit 222 and the changeover switch circuit 205, performs processing such as demodulation according to the received signal, and sends the processed signal to the control circuit 201.

[0103] The control circuit 201 detects the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor by a signal from the signal receiving circuit 203, analyzes the signal received from the position detection sensor, determines the specifications of the partner position detection device, and determines the timing of signal interaction with the position detection sensor of the partner position detection device based on the determination result.The control circuit 201 then controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmission 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.

[0104] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(D), during the signal transmission mode, the control circuit 201 executes a position detection period Ta, in which a burst signal for position detection and writing pressure detection information are transmitted to the position detection device, and a tilt detection period Tb, in which the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 is detected, multiple times in a time-division manner.

[0105] During the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 201 switching The switch circuit 204 is turned on by the control signal SW2 (FIG. 6(E)), and the changeover switch circuit 205 connects the movable terminal M to the fixed terminal G by the changeover control signal SW3 (FIG. 6(F)). Therefore, the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the ground terminal.

[0106] Then, the control circuit 201 controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to supply 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 3 to the core body 15 via the switch circuit 204, and transmits the signal to the position detection sensor by electrostatic capacitive coupling. At this time, the peripheral electrode 12 is connected to the earth terminal, and therefore acts as a shield electrode for the core body 15 as the central electrode, preventing noise from entering the core body 15.

[0107] The control circuit 201 performs an operation of detecting the writing pressure based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor 3C included in the writing pressure detection unit 3 during the period in which the signal transmission circuit 202 is transmitting a burst signal for position detection.

[0108] 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 to output writing pressure information corresponding to this digital signal from the signal transmission circuit 202.

[0109] During the gradient detection period Tb, the control circuit 201 switching The control signal SW2 (FIG. 6(E)) turns off the switch circuit 204, and the changeover switch circuit 205 controls the changeover control signal SW3 to connect the movable terminal M to the fixed terminal S. Then, during this tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 201 controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to generate a burst signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 1 and send it from the peripheral electrode 12. The position detection device detects the distribution of detection positions in the position detection sensor of the signal from the peripheral electrode 12, and detects the tilt of the electronic pen 1 from the detection result.

[0110] [Advantages of the First Embodiment] As described above, according to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the power storage device housed in the pen housing 10 is charged using a wireless power transmission technique based on electric field coupling. AsSince the configuration utilizes the cylindrical housing portion 11 and peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 of a capacitive electronic pen, it is possible to achieve a configuration that can charge the power storage device while maintaining the slimness of the electronic pen.

[0111] According to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to charge the power storage device built into the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 simply by storing and placing the electronic pen 1 in a recess corresponding to the shape of the pen housing of a charging tray that charges using wireless power transmission technology based on electric field coupling. In this case, the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is configured to use the housing cylinder portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10 as power receiving electrodes, so that the pen housing 10 does not need a special configuration such as providing a charging electrode terminal, and this has the effect of simplifying the configuration of the pen housing.

[0112] In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, change-over switch circuits 221 and 222 are provided for the housing tubular portion 11 and the peripheral electrode 12 of the pen housing 10, so as to switch between a time when the electronic pen is capable of being charged and a time when the electronic pen is being used to interact with a position detection sensor as an electronic pen. This has the effect that the mechanical configuration of the electronic pen 1 does not need to be special, but rather the conventional configuration can be used as is.

[0113] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the change-over switch circuits 221 and 222 are automatically switched by the control circuit 201 based on the detection output of the sensor signal detection circuit 223, which detects whether or not it is possible to receive a signal from the position detection sensor. Therefore, the user can charge the electronic pen 1 simply by placing it on the charging tray 100 in a remote environment where it is not electric field coupled to the position detection sensor.

[0114] Furthermore, the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment is configured as a two-way communication type electronic pen, but the charging method is not one that uses electromagnetic induction as in Patent Document 2, but rather one that uses wireless power transmission technology through electric field coupling. Therefore, since there is no need to wind a coil around the outer periphery of the pen housing, it is easy to make the electronic pen thinner.

[0115] In the above-described first embodiment, the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 are configured to automatically switch based on the detection output of the sensor signal detection circuit 223 in the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1. However, it is of course possible to provide an operation button for switching between a chargeable state and a state in which the electronic pen is used as an electronic pen on the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 so that the user can perform the switching operation. In that case, the sensor signal detection circuit 223 is not provided, and the control circuit 201 is configured to detect the operation state of the operation button, and is configured to switch the changeover switch circuits 221 and 222 to the fixed terminal CH side by the switching control signal SW1 when the user operates the operation button to switch the electronic pen 1 to the charging mode.

[0116] [Electronic pen cartridge embodiment and electronic pen of second embodiment] Although the above-described first embodiment is an example of an electronic pen, the present invention can also be configured as an electronic pen cartridge that can be detachably mounted on a pen housing.

[0117] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, an embodiment of an electronic pen cartridge according to the present invention, a configuration example of the electronic pen cartridge of this embodiment, and a configuration example of a second embodiment of an electronic pen 400 equipped with the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment will be described.

[0118] 7A and 7B, the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment is configured to detachably accommodate the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of the embodiment in a hollow portion 401a of a pen housing 401, and has a knock-type configuration in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of the embodiment is inserted and removed from an opening 401b on one end side in the axial direction of the pen housing 401 by a knock cam mechanism 410.

[0119] The electronic pen cartridge 1CT of the embodiment described below is configured to have the same size as the refill of a stationery knock-type ballpoint pen and is configured to be compatible with the refill of the ballpoint pen. Therefore, the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment can be the same as the housing of a stationery knock-type ballpoint pen.

[0120] Fig. 7(A) shows a state in which the entire electronic pen cartridge 1CT is housed in the hollow portion 401a of the pen housing 401, and Fig. 7(B) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT protrudes from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 by the knock cam mechanism portion 410. Note that in the example of Fig. 7, the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and is shown in a state in which its interior can be seen through.

[0121] The pen housing 401 and the knock cam mechanism 410 provided in the pen housing 401 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.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 7, the knock cam mechanism 410 has a well-known configuration in which a cam body 411, a knock rod 412, and a rotor 413 are combined. The cam body 411 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pen housing 400. The knock rod 412 is configured so that an end 412a protrudes from an opening 401c on the opposite side to the pen tip side of the pen housing 401 so as to be able to receive a knock operation by the user. The rotor 413 has a fitting portion 413a into which an end of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT on the opposite side to the pen tip side is fitted. The detailed configuration and operation of the knock cam mechanism 410 are well-known, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0123] [Example of electronic pen cartridge 1CT configuration] As described below, the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment differs from the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment only in dimensional sizes such as length and thickness, but the configuration is similar to that of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of the following embodiment, components similar to those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals with the suffix CT added.

[0124] 8(A) and (B) are diagrams showing a configuration example of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment in comparison with a refill 7 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. Note that the internal configuration example of the electronic pen 1 shown in FIG. 1(B) has a similar configuration to that of the second electronic pen cartridge 1CT, and is therefore omitted in FIG. 8.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 8(A), the refill 7 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen has a well-known structure in which a pen tip section 71 with a ball at its tip and a cylindrical ink storage section 72 of a fixed outer diameter are integrated by being connected to a cylindrical connecting section 73 of a fixed outer diameter. The pen tip section 71 has a cylindrical shape, and its tip side is formed into a tapered shape, and its maximum outer diameter is R1 which is smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400. The connecting section 73 and the ink storage section 72 have the same outer diameter R2, which is slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter R1 of the pen tip section 71, for example, R2=2.2 mm. The diameter R0 of the opening 401b of the pen housing 401 is R1 <R0<R2とされている。

[0126] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 7(A), (B) and 8(B), the housing (hereinafter referred to as the cartridge housing) 10CT of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment is configured in such a manner that a peripheral electrode 12CT made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal is connected to the pen tip side of the housing tubular part 11CT via a cylindrical connecting member 13CT, and a front cap 14CT is connected to the pen tip side of the peripheral electrode 12CT, as in the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In this example, the housing tubular part 11CT is also configured of a conductive metal, as in the housing tubular part 11 of the pen housing 10 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. However, a resin pipe part 16CT is connected to the rear end side of the housing tubular part 11CT of the cartridge housing of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment, instead of a lid part, and this resin pipe part 16CT becomes a fitting part with the fitting part 413a in the pen housing 401 of the electronic pen 400 of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT.

[0127] In this example, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the dimensions of the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT are configured to be approximately equal to the dimensions of the pen tip side of the refill 7 of the ballpoint pen. 10The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 11CT of the CT housing is set to be equal to the outer diameter R2 of the ink storage section 72 and the connecting portion 73 of the refill 7 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and the peripheral electrode 12CT is configured so that from the midpoint of the axial direction of its tapered portion 12CTb toward the pen tip side, it is equal to or smaller than the diameter R0 of the opening 401b on the pen tip side of the pen housing 401.

[0128] 8(A) and (B), when the core 15CT is inserted into the electronic pen cartridge 1CT through the opening of the front cap 14CT, the length from the tip of the core 15CT to the position where the outer diameter of the peripheral electrode 12CT becomes diameter R1 is configured to be approximately equal to the axial length L1 of the pen tip 71 of the refill 7 of a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen. Also, as shown in Figs. 8(A) and (B), the length (total length) of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT with the core 15CT attached is selected to be equal to the total length L2 of the refill 7 of the ballpoint pen.

[0129] The electronic pen cartridge 1CT configured as described above can be stored within the pen housing 400 by fitting the plastic pipe portion 16CT at the rear end of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the cartridge housing 10CT into the fitting portion 413a of the rotor 413 of the knock cam mechanism portion 410.

[0130] And, the electronic pen of this embodiment 400 In the case of the position detector, the user must use a knock bar. 412 End of 412a7B in the pen housing 401 by the knock cam mechanism 410, and the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT projects from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401. At this time, in the electronic pen cartridge 1CT, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tip portion 15CTa of the core body 15CT and a part of the pen tip side of the tapered portion 12CTb of the peripheral electrode 12CT project to the outside from the opening 401b of the pen housing 401, and the core body 15CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT are electrically coupled with the position detection sensor to be able to interact.

[0131] When you have finished using the electronic pen 400, move the knock bar from the state shown in FIG. 412 End of 412a is pressed again. Then, the knock cam mechanism 410 releases the locked state, and the position of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT in the pen housing 401 returns to the state shown in FIG. 7(A) by the return spring 402. At this time, the entire electronic pen cartridge 1CT is housed in the hollow portion 401a of the pen housing 401, and the tip portion 15CTa of the core body 15CT of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT is protected by the pen housing 401.

[0132] In the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment, the conductive metal portion of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the cartridge housing 10CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT function as a power receiving electrode that is electric field coupled with the power transmitting electrode of the charging tray for the electronic pen cartridge via coupling capacitance.

[0133] When charging the capacitor 5CT serving as a power storage element provided within the cartridge housing 10CT of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment, the electronic pen cartridge 1CT is removed from the electronic pen 400 and placed in a recess formed in a charging tray for the electronic pen cartridge.

[0134] The charging tray for the electronic pen cartridge has a similar configuration to the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen shown in Fig. 4, and therefore illustrations and detailed description thereof are omitted here. However, in the charging tray for the electronic pen cartridge, the size of the recess 101b of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen shown in Fig. 4 is changed according to the length and thickness of the electronic pen cartridge 1CT, and the power transmitting electrode 102 and the power transmitting electrode 103 are arranged so as to be electrically coupled with the conductive metal portion of the housing cylindrical portion 11CT of the cartridge housing 10CT and the peripheral electrode 12CT, respectively.

[0135] The electronic pen 400 of the second embodiment using the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of this embodiment also provides the same effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0136] [Third embodiment] In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a two-way communication type electronic pen and electronic pen cartridge, but the present invention can also be applied to electronic pens and electronic pen cartridges that are not two-way communication types.

[0137] The third embodiment described below is an example of this type of electronic pen.

[0138] Fig. 9 shows a configuration example of electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, Fig. 9(A) is a diagram showing the appearance of capacitive electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, and Fig. 9(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pen tip side. In the following description of electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, parts similar to those of electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0139] The electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment does not include the peripheral electrode 12 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, as shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), a front cap 14A made of an insulating material, for example, resin, is joined to the pen tip side of the cylindrical housing part 11A to form a pen housing 10A of the electronic pen 1A. A lid part 16A is attached to the rear end side of the cylindrical housing part 11A to close it, similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0140] In this case, the front cap 14A is a peripheral electrode of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and front cap 14 are joined together, and is attached to the pen tip side of tubular housing portion 11A.

[0141] In the electronic pen 1A of this third embodiment, the tubular housing portion 11A of the pen housing 10A is configured such that two metal pipe portions 11Aa, 11Ab made of a conductive material, in this example a conductive metal, are connected via a tubular connecting member 11Ac made of an insulating material, in this example a resin.

[0142] The cylindrical joint member 11Ac is the cylindrical joint member 11A in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. join It has a configuration similar to that of member 13, and is provided with a ring-shaped flange portion 11AcF, and the metal pipe portion 11Aa and the metal pipe portion 11Ab, which are connected via this tubular connecting member 11Ac, are electrically insulated by this ring-shaped flange portion 11AcF.

[0143] The configuration of the portion housed in the hollow portion 10Aa of the pen housing 10A in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment is the same as that of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, and the hollow portion 10Aa of the pen housing 10A includes a core body holding member 2, a pen pressure detection unit 3, a printed circuit board 4 on which an electronic circuit including a signal transmission circuit is mounted, and a capacitor 5 as an example of an electric storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit, which are arranged in the axial direction in order from the pen tip side and housed therein, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 9(A). Then, in the same manner as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the core body 15 is inserted from the opening 14Aa of the front cap 14A, and the other end of the core body 15 is held by the core body holding unit 2 with its tip portion 15a protruding to the outside.

[0144] In the electronic pen 1A of this third embodiment, the two metal pipe sections 11Aa and 11Ab of the housing tubular section 11A of the pen housing 10A are configured to operate as power receiving electrodes that are electric field coupled via a coupling capacitance Cm to a power transmitting electrode of a charging tray of a non-contact power transmission method using electric field coupling.

[0145] In the third embodiment, a button operation unit 18 for switching between a chargeable state and an operating state of the electronic pen is provided exposed to the outside from the pen housing 10A. The switch that is turned on and off by pressing the button of the button operation unit 18 is connected to a control circuit of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A.

[0146] [Example of the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A according to the third embodiment and example of the electrical configuration of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen 1A] Next, a configuration example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 together with an electrical configuration example of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen. The charging tray 100A for the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment is similar to the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment except that the installation positions of the power transmission electrodes 102A and 103A are different from the installation positions of the power transmission electrodes 102 and 103 of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the charging tray 100A, the same parts as those of the charging tray 100 are given the same reference numerals as those of the charging tray 100, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A, the same components as those of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

[0147] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit of the electronic pen 1A, similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, consists of an electronic pen circuit 200A that transmits and receives signals with a position detection sensor, and a charging circuit 210 that is configured in the same manner as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0148] The metal pipe portion 11Aa and the metal pipe portion 11Ab of the casing cylindrical portion 11A of the pen casing 10A are switched to the fixed terminal CH side when charging is possible, and are switched to the fixed terminal CH side when the electronic pen is in operation. Terminals These are connected to the changeover switch circuit 221A and the changeover switch circuit 222A, which are switched to the P side.

[0149] 10, the electronic pen circuit 200A also includes a control circuit 201A configured with an IC mounted on a printed circuit board 4. In the electronic pen circuit 200A, a signal transmission circuit 202 and a parallel circuit of a variable capacitor 3C and a resistor 3R configured in the writing pressure detection unit 3 are connected to the control circuit 201A, and a switch 18S that is turned on and off by operating the push button of the button operation unit 18 is also connected to the control circuit 201A. Then, as with the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, the signal output end of the signal transmission circuit 202 is connected to the core body 15 via a switch circuit 204.

[0150] The electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment pen In the circuit 200A, when the button operation unit 18 is not pressed and the switch 18S is off, the control circuit 201A switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal P side by the changeover control signal SW1. Therefore, the metal pipe portion 11Aa and the metal pipe portion 11Ab of the cylindrical housing portion 11A of the pen housing 10A are connected to the earth terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200A. As a result, the earth electrode of the electronic pen circuit 200A is connected to the earth (earth) through the user's body, and the electronic pen 1A operates stably.

[0151] The control circuit 201A outputs a switching control signal SW 2 This turns on the switch circuit 204 and controls the signal transmission circuit 202 to transmit a position detection signal and writing pressure information to the position detection sensor through the core 15.

[0152] When the button operation unit 18 is pressed to turn on the switch 18S, the control circuit 201A switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal CH side by the changeover control signal SW1. 2 This turns off the switch circuit 204 and does not control the signal transmission circuit 202, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption in the electronic pen circuit 200A.

[0153] In this state, when the electronic pen 1A is stored and placed in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen, the power transmission electrode 102A and the power transmission electrode 103A of the charging tray 100A for the electronic pen and the metal pipe portion 11Aa and the metal pipe portion 11Ab of the cylindrical housing portion 11A of the pen housing 10A of the electronic pen 1A are electric field coupled to each other via the coupling capacitance Cm, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0154] As a result, the AC power generated by the AC signal from the AC signal generating circuit 104 of the charging tray 100A is transmitted from the power transmitting electrode 102A and the power transmitting electrode 103A to the metal pipe portion 11Aa and the metal pipe portion 11Ab, which serve as the power receiving electrodes of the electronic pen 1A, via the coupling capacitance Cm, and the capacitor 5 is charged in the charging circuit 210.

[0155] The electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment also provides the same effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment.

[0156] In the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment described above, the button operation unit 18 for switching between the chargeable state and the electronic pen operation state is provided in the cylindrical housing portion 11. A Instead of providing the pressure sensor 16A in the axial direction, the pressure sensor 16A may be provided on the lid portion 16A so as to be operable by pressing the pressure sensor 16A in the axial direction, like a knock operation.

[0157] In addition, in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment described above, the state between when the electronic pen is chargeable and when it is operating is switched by the user manually operating the button operation unit 18. However, even in this third embodiment, by configuring as follows, it is possible to monitor reception of a signal from the position detection sensor, and when a signal from the position detection sensor can be received, it is determined that the electronic pen is operating, and when an environment in which signals from other position detection sensors cannot be received, it is determined that the electronic pen is chargeable and automatically switched.

[0158] That is, the conductive core 15 of the electronic pen 1A is not dedicated to transmission, but is always set to a reception mode in which signals are received from the position detection sensor at a predetermined intermittent period by the control circuit 201A, regardless of whether the electronic pen is chargeable or in operation. That is, the core 15 is switched between the transmission mode and the reception mode in a time-division manner. Note that when the electronic pen 1A is chargeable, the core 15 is not set to the transmission mode, and only the intermittent reception mode is executed.

[0159] When the control circuit 201A does not receive a signal from the position detection sensor consecutively during a plurality of reception modes, it determines that the position detection sensor is not electric field coupled and charging is possible, and switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal CH side. Also, when it detects that a signal has been received from the position detection sensor during the reception mode, it determines that the environment is electric field coupled with the position detection sensor, and switches the changeover switch circuits 221A and 222A to the fixed terminal CH side. P The switching state is switched to the side and maintained at least until the next reception mode period.

[0160] In this way, even in the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, without providing a button operation unit 18, the capacitor 5, which is an example of a power storage device, can be charged simply by storing and placing it in the recess 101b of the charging tray 100A.

[0161] The configuration of the electronic pen of the third embodiment can also be diverted to the configuration of an electronic pen cartridge, similar to the relationship between the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen cartridge 1CT of the second embodiment.

[0162] [Other embodiments] In the electronic pen and electronic pen cartridge of the above-mentioned embodiments, a part of the pen housing or the cartridge housing is configured as a pair of power receiving electrodes. However, one of the pair of power receiving electrodes may be a part of the pen housing or the cartridge housing, while the other may be an additional member separate from the pen housing or the cartridge housing.

[0163] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an electronic pen 1B having a configuration in which an additional member is one of a pair of power receiving electrodes. In the electronic pen 1B of the example of Fig. 11, similarly to the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, the pen housing 10B is configured by joining a front cap 14B made of resin to the pen tip side of a housing tubular part 11B made of conductive metal, and the core body 15 is detachably attached through an opening of the front cap 14B. Although not shown in Fig. 11, a button operation part for switching between a charging possible state and an electronic pen operation state is provided on the housing tubular part 11B of the pen housing 10B in this example as well.

[0164] In the electronic pen 1B of this example, a clip 19B made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal, is attached as an example of an additional member to the rear end of the cylindrical housing portion 11B of the pen housing 10B.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 11, in this example, an attachment portion 191B made of an insulating material, such as resin, is provided on the attachment side of clip 19B to pen housing 10B, and a portion of this attachment portion 191B is inserted and fitted into the interior of pen housing 10B through an opening in pen housing 10B, thereby attaching clip 19B to the rear end side of housing tubular portion 11B of pen housing 10B.

[0166] An insulating member 192B, shown filled in black in Fig. 11, is attached to the end of clip 19B opposite attachment portion 191B, which is in contact with pen housing 10B. Note that instead of providing insulating member 192B at the end of clip 19B, the portion of cylindrical housing portion 11B in contact with clip 19B may be electrically insulated from clip 19B by, for example, insulating coating.

[0167] With the above configuration, in the electronic pen 1B of the example in Figure 11, the cylindrical housing portion 11B and the clip 19B, which are electrically insulated from each other, form a power receiving electrode that is electric field coupled to the power transmitting electrode of the charging tray 100B (see Figure 12).

[0168] In this case, as shown in Fig. 11, clip 19B is configured to have a terminal portion 19Ba that penetrates attachment portion 191B and has a tip portion exposed inside the hollow portion of tubular housing portion 11B, and this terminal portion 19Ba is configured to be connected to charging circuit 210. Also, similar to the third embodiment, tubular housing portion 11B is connected to charging circuit 210 through a changeover switch circuit that switches between fixed terminal CH and fixed terminal P when charging is possible and when the electronic pen is in operation. In this example, fixed terminal P of the changeover switch circuit is the same as the first terminal described above. 1 As in the previous embodiment, it is connected to the ground terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200.

[0169] The charging tray 100B for the electronic pen 1B of this example is configured as shown in Fig. 12. That is, the charging tray 100B has a basic configuration similar to that of the charging tray 100 for the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 4, but is different from the charging tray 100 in the shape of the recess 101Bb in which the electronic pen 1B is stored and placed, and in the arrangement of the power transmitting electrodes 102B and 103B.

[0170] That is, the charging tray 100 B The recess 101Bb is shaped to include a stepped recess 101Bba that accommodates the clip 19B when the electronic pen 1B is placed in the recess 101Bb with the clip 19B facing downward. In this case, the depth of the stepped recess 101Bba is selected to be equal to the distance between the cylindrical housing portion 11B and the clip 19B.

[0171] 12, a power transmission electrode 103B that is electrically coupled to clip 19B in a non-contact manner is disposed below stepped recess 101Bba of charging tray 100B. Also, a power transmission electrode 102B that is electrically coupled to cylindrical housing 11B of electronic pen 1B that will be located in the lower portion of recess 101Bb other than stepped recess 101Bba is disposed below recess 101Bb.

[0172] The configuration of the electronic circuit in the case of the electronic pen 1B in this example is the same as that of the circuit shown in Figure 10, except that the metal pipe portion 11Aa of the cylindrical housing portion 11A is replaced by a cylindrical housing portion 11B, the metal pipe portion 11Ab is replaced by a clip 19B, and the changeover switch circuit 222A is not provided and the clip 19B is connected to the charging circuit 210.

[0173] The electronic pen 1B in the example of FIG. 11 also provides the same effects as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment.

[0174] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of another example of electronic pen 1C in which the power receiving electrode is configured by an additional member. As with electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment, electronic pen 1C of this example of Fig. 13 is configured such that pen housing 10C is configured by joining front cap 14C made of resin to the pen tip side of cylindrical housing part 11C made of conductive metal, and core body 15 is removably attached through an opening of front cap 14C. Also, although not shown in the example of Fig. 13, a button operation part for switching between a chargeable state and an electronic pen operation state is provided on cylindrical housing part 11C of pen housing 10C. C It is provided in.

[0175] In the electronic pen 1C of the example of FIG. 13, the lid portion 16C that closes the opening at the rear end side of the cylindrical housing portion 11C is configured in a cap shape so as to cover the rear end side of the cylindrical housing portion 11C over a predetermined length. In this example, the lid portion 16C is made of a conductive metal. An insulating layer 16Cs is applied to the inner wall surface of the recess of the lid portion 16C into which the cylindrical housing portion 11C is inserted, as shown by filling in black in FIG. 13. When the lid portion 16C is attached to the cylindrical housing portion 11C, the insulating layer 16Cs electrically insulates the cylindrical housing portion 11C and the lid portion 16C from each other.

[0176] In this example, as shown in Fig. 13, the cover 16C penetrates the insulating layer 16Cs and is connected to the charging circuit 210 in the hollow part of the tubular housing 11C. Similarly to the third embodiment, the tubular housing 11C is connected to the charging circuit 210 through a changeover switch circuit that switches between the fixed terminal CH and the fixed terminal P when charging is possible and when the electronic pen is in operation. In this example, the fixed terminal P of the changeover switch circuit is the same as the first terminal described above. 1 As in the previous embodiment, it is connected to the ground terminal of the electronic pen circuit 200.

[0177] Although not shown, the charging tray for the electronic pen 1C in this example can be configured similarly to the charging tray 100B for the electronic pen 1B shown in Fig. 12. However, in the charging tray for the electronic pen 1C, the stepped recess 101Bba of the recess 101Bb of the charging tray 100B is shaped to correspond to the peripheral side surface of the lid portion 16C, and its length and depth are set to cover the cylindrical housing portion 11C of the lid portion 16C. The power transmitting electrode is disposed so as to be electrically coupled to each of the cylindrical housing portion 11C and the lid portion 16C without contact.

[0178] The configuration of the electronic circuit in the electronic pen 1C of this example is the same as that described for the electronic pen 1B of the example of FIG. 11, except that the clip 19B is replaced by a cover portion 16C.

[0179] The electronic pen 1C in the example of FIG. 13 also provides the same effects as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and the electronic pen 1A of the third embodiment.

[0180] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the above-described embodiment, a parallel resonant circuit configuration is used as the electric field coupling type power transmission circuit system between the electronic pen and the charging tray, but a series resonant circuit configuration as shown in Fig. 14 may also be used. The circuit example in Fig. 14 is a case where an electric field coupling type power transmission circuit system using a series resonant circuit is applied to the electronic pen 1 and charging tray 100 of the first embodiment. In this case, an inductance 108 and an inductance 215 are connected in series to a coupling capacitance Cm between the power receiving electrodes 11 and 12 of the electronic pen 1 and the power transmitting electrodes 102 and 103 of the charging tray 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 400... electronic pen, 1CT... electronic pen cartridge, 2... core body holding member, 3... pen pressure detection unit, 4... printed circuit board, 5... capacitor as an example of a power storage device, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... pen housing, 10CT... cartridge housing, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11CT... housing cylindrical portion, 11Aa, 11Ab... metal pipe portion 11Ac... cylindrical connecting member, 12, 12CT... peripheral electrode, 13... cylindrical connecting member, 14, 14A, 14B, 14C... front cap, 15, 15CT... core body, 16, 16C... lid portion, 100, 100B... charging tray

Claims

1. A capacitive electronic pen having an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit for generating a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor and a chargeable power storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit, the electronic circuit being provided in a cylindrical pen housing, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and function as a power receiving electrode, the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to charge the power storage device; At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is configured as a part of the pen housing. A capacitive electronic pen characterized by:

2. a rod-shaped central electrode whose tip protrudes to the outside from an opening on one pen tip side in an axial direction of the pen housing and which is electrically coupled to the position detection sensor; and a peripheral electrode provided so as to surround the central electrode and be electrically insulated from the central electrode; the pen housing includes a portion to which the peripheral electrode is coupled via an insulating member on the pen tip side of a cylindrical portion made of a conductive member, One of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is a cylindrical portion made of the conductive material, and the other is the peripheral electrode.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

3. The cylindrical portion formed of the conductive member is connected to a first switching circuit that is switched between a state where it is connected to the charging circuit and a state where it is connected to a ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

3. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 2.

4. The peripheral electrode is connected to a second switching circuit that is switched between a state where it is connected to the charging circuit and a state where it is connected to an output terminal of a signal from the signal transmission circuit of the electronic circuit or an input terminal of a received signal from the position detection sensor.

3. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 2.

5. The pen housing includes an operating portion that is exposed from an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to be operable by a user, The first switching circuit is switched in response to an operation of the operation unit.

4. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 3.

6. The pen housing includes an operating portion that is exposed from an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to be operable by a user; The second switching circuit is switched in response to an operation of the operation unit.

5. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 4.

7. the peripheral electrode acts as a receiver for receiving a signal from the position detection sensor; When the peripheral electrode is in a state of receiving a signal from the position detection sensor, the first switching circuit switches the conductor portion of the pen housing to a state of being connected to a ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

4. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 3.

8. the peripheral electrode acts as a receiver for receiving a signal from the position detection sensor; When the peripheral electrode does not receive a signal from the position detection sensor, the second switching circuit switches the peripheral electrode to a state where it is connected to the charging circuit.

5. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 4.

9. The pen housing includes a cylindrical housing part in which two cylindrical parts each made of a conductive material are joined via an insulating material, The two cylindrical portions are configured to operate as the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, At least one of the two cylindrical parts is connected to a switching circuit that switches between a state where it is connected to the charging circuit and a state where it is connected to a ground terminal of the electronic circuit.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

10. The device has an operating section that is exposed so that the user can operate it, The switching circuit is switched in response to the operation of the operation unit.

10. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 9.

11. the pen housing includes a cylindrical portion made of a conductive material constituting one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, An additional member made of a conductive material constituting the other of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is provided on the pen housing in a state insulated from the cylindrical portion.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

12. The additional member is a clip.

12. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 11.

13. The additional member is a member that closes an opening on the rear end side of the pen housing opposite to the pen tip side.

12. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 11.

14. The power storage device is a capacitor.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

15. A series resonant circuit is used as a transmission circuit for electric field coupling with the power transmitting section.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

16. A parallel resonant circuit is used as a transmission circuit for electric field coupling with the power transmitting section.

2. The capacitive electronic pen according to claim 1.

17. A capacitive electronic pen cartridge in which at least the pen tip is removably housed in a cylindrical pen housing of an electronic pen in a state in which it can protrude from one opening in an axial direction of the pen housing, and an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor is provided in a cylindrical cartridge housing, and a rechargeable power storage device that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit is also provided, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and function as a power receiving electrode, the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to charge the power storage device; At least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is formed of a part of the cartridge housing. A capacitive electronic pen cartridge.

18. A capacitive electronic pen having an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit for generating a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor and a chargeable power storage device for supplying a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit, the electronic circuit being provided in a cylindrical pen housing, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and function as a power receiving electrode, the electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to charge the power storage device, and at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is a charging tray for an electronic pen that is configured as a part of the pen housing, a recess configured to engage the placed electronic pen and having a length greater than a length of the electronic pen in an axial direction of the pen housing; a first power transmission electrode and a second power transmission electrode that are electrically coupled to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion of the electronic pen that is placed and engaged in the recess; a transmission power source for generating power to be transmitted through the first power transmitting electrode and the second power transmitting electrode; A charging tray for an electronic pen.

19. A capacitive electronic pen cartridge in which at least the pen tip is removably housed in a cylindrical pen housing of an electronic pen in a state in which it can protrude from one opening in an axial direction of the pen housing, and an electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to a position detection sensor is provided in a cylindrical cartridge housing, and a rechargeable power storage device that supplies a power supply voltage to the electronic circuit is also provided, The power receiving electrode includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically coupled to a power transmitting electrode of a power transmitting unit of an external charging device in a non-contact manner and function as a power receiving electrode, a charging tray for a capacitive electronic pen cartridge, the electronic circuit including a charging circuit that is connected to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to charge the power storage device, and at least one of the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion being configured as a part of the cartridge housing; a recess configured to engage the electronic pen cartridge placed thereon and longer than a length of the cartridge housing of the electronic pen cartridge in an axial direction; a first power transmission electrode and a second power transmission electrode that are electrically coupled to the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion of the electronic pen cartridge that is placed and locked in the recess; a transmission power source for generating power to be transmitted through the first power transmitting electrode and the second power transmitting electrode; A charging tray for an electronic pen cartridge.

Images