Electronic pen

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to realize an electronic pen that has been made thinner for improved portability, has a side switch that functions in a stable manner, and enables easy maintenance. A pusher part (16a) of an electronic pen body (1) is inserted into an insertion part (32) of a pressing operator (3), whereby the pressing operator (3) is attached to the pusher part (16a) of the electronic pen body (1) in a state of being fitted into an operator opening (22) of an external casing (2). The operator opening (22) of the external casing (2) is provided at a position on a side surface of the electronic pen body (1) corresponding to a button switch (18) when the electronic pen body (1) is loaded and fixed in place. It thereby becomes possible to reliably perform an operation of pressing down the button switch (18) through the pressing operator (3), and to realize a side switch of an electronic pen.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, in an electronic device such as a high - performance mobile phone terminal called a tablet PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, an instruction input by an electronic pen is enabled through a mounted position detection device in order to perform finer drawing input. In view of the usage mode of tablet PCs and high - performance mobile phone terminals, which are often carried and used, it is considered that the electronic pen should also be made thinner and more suitable for carrying.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 described later discloses an invention regarding an electronic pen main body portion having the same shape and the same size as a refill of a commercially available ballpoint pen. The electronic pen main body portion can be set in the housing of a ballpoint pen, is convenient for carrying, and can realize an electronic pen that can be used with the same feeling as when using a ballpoint pen. In such an electronic pen realized by setting such an electronic pen main body portion in the housing of a ballpoint pen, it is considered possible to make use of a so - called side switch. The side switch in an electronic pen means a push - down switch provided on the side surface of the electronic pen so that it can be pushed down by a finger while holding the electronic pen.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, two terminals are provided on the side surface of the electronic pen main body, and when they are connected through an operator provided on the side surface of the housing between these terminals, it turns on, and when the connection is released, it turns off, realizing a side switch. Since it is configured to switch on / off according to the connection / disconnection between the terminals, it is possible to realize a side switch even in a so-called knock-type ballpoint pen that knocks to extend or retract the electronic pen main body from the ballpoint pen housing.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, due to its structure, for some reason, it may be considered that the two terminals provided on the electronic pen main body cannot be stably connected by the operator provided on the ballpoint pen housing. For example, it is conceivable that the positional relationship between the two terminals and the operator is displaced, or a small amount of dust or the like intervenes between the terminals and the operator, making it impossible to appropriately establish an electrical connection between the terminals. In such a case, the function as a side switch cannot be stably realized.

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

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to realize an electronic pen that is thin, excellent in portability, has a side switch that functions stably, and is easy to maintain.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To solve the above problems, An electronic pen comprising an electronic pen main body equipped with an electronic pen function, an outer housing which is a cylindrical body for housing the electronic pen main body, and an operating element for pressing. The electronic pen main body A button switch that is pressed, A rod-shaped pusher portion fixed to the rear end side and extending toward the pen tip so as to pass through the upper part of the button switch And comprising The outer housing A loading opening provided on the rear end face for loading the electronic pen main body, An operating element opening provided at a position on the side surface corresponding to the button switch when the electronic pen main body is loaded and fixed in place And comprising The operating element for pressing In a state of being fitted into the operating element opening of the outer housing, when the electronic pen main body is loaded, it comprises an insertion portion through which the pusher portion passes. By pressing the operating element for pressing, the button switch of the electronic pen main body is pressed. Provided is an electronic pen characterized by the above.

[0010] According to this electronic pen, the operating element for pressing is fitted into the operating element opening of the outer housing, and the electronic pen main body is loaded from the loading opening of the outer housing. The pusher portion of the electronic pen main body is inserted into the insertion portion of the operating element for pressing. As a result, the operating element for pressing is attached to the pusher portion of the electronic pen main body while being fitted into the operating element opening of the outer housing. The operating element opening of the outer housing is provided at a position on the side surface corresponding to the button switch of the electronic pen main body when the electronic pen main body is loaded and fixed in place.

[0011] Therefore, a side switch in an electronic pen that enables a reliable pressing operation of the button switch through the pressing operator fitted into the operator opening of the outer housing and allows for a stable pressing operation at all times is realized. Further, if the electronic pen main body is pulled out from the outer housing, the pusher portion of the electronic pen main body also comes off from the insertion portion of the pressing operator, and the pressing operator can be easily removed from the electronic pen. That is, an electronic pen that is easy to assemble, disassemble, and maintain is realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention will be described. The electronic pen according to the present invention is applicable to both electromagnetic induction type electronic pens and active capacitance type electronic pens. In the following, for simplicity of explanation, the case where the electronic pen according to the present invention is applied to an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen will be described as an example first.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a configuration example of an electronic pen according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pen according to this embodiment includes an electronic pen main body 1, an outer housing 2, a pressing operator 3 for operating a button switch (described later) provided on the electronic pen main body 1, and an overload absorbing portion 4.

[0015] The electronic pen main body 1 is equipped with an electronic pen function and includes a core body 11, a ferrite core 12, a coil 13, a pen pressure detection portion 14, and an inner housing 15. The core body 11 is a rod-shaped member including a pen tip portion and a shaft portion extending from the bottom surface of the pen tip portion toward the rear end side. The ferrite core 12 is a pipe-shaped member having a through hole passing through the central axis, and the shaft portion of the core body 11 is inserted into the through hole. The coil 13 is formed by winding an insulating wire around a predetermined portion on the side surface of the ferrite core 12.

[0016] The pen pressure detection portion 14 includes a variable capacitor therein, and the shaft portion of the core body 11 passing through the through hole of the ferrite core 12 abuts against the variable capacitor and can be pressed by the core body 11. The core body 11 is slidably movable in the axial direction and can be pushed in or pulled back within the through hole of the ferrite core 12. The pen pressure detection portion 14 detects the pen pressure applied to the core body 11 based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor that changes according to the pressing by the core body 11.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the inner housing 15 has a so-called half-pipe shape with an open upper side. In addition to mounting a circuit board provided with a button switch described later, a pusher member 16 to which the pressing operator 3 is attached is provided. The pusher member 16, which will be described in detail later, consists of a pusher portion 16a and a fixing portion 16b. The fixing portion 16b is fixed to the rear end side of the inner housing 15. Thereby, the pusher member 16 is fixed to the electronic pen main body portion 1. The pusher portion 16a is a rod-shaped member that extends toward the pen tip side so as to pass above the button switch provided on the circuit board without touching the portion of the electronic pen main body portion 1. In other words, the pusher portion 16a extends in a rod shape (rail shape) toward the tip side so as to float above the circuit board mounted on the inner housing 15.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the outer housing 2 is a hollow cylindrical body with a tapered (tapered shape) pen tip side (tip side). The end face on the tip side of the outer housing 2 is a tip opening 21 where the pen tip portion of the core body 11 protrudes, and the end face on the rear end side is a loading opening 23 for loading the electronic pen main body portion 1. Further, on the side surface of the outer housing 2, when the electronic pen main body portion 1 is loaded and positioned at a fixed position inside the outer housing, an operator opening 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the button switch provided on the electronic pen main body portion 1. In other words, the operator opening 22 is provided at a position on the side surface where the button switch provided on the electronic pen main body portion 1 can be pressed. The operator opening 22 is an opening having the same shape as the upper surface of the pressing operator 3, but its size is slightly larger than the upper surface of the pressing operator 3 so that the pressing operator 3 can be fitted therein.

[0019] The pressing operator 3 has a shape (substantially oval shape) in which the short side portion of a rectangle is formed into an arc when viewed from the upper surface side. The pressing operator 3, although details will be described later, has a thickness by including a wall portion extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen when fitted into the operator opening 22. Further, the pressing operator 3 includes an insertion portion that is open downward and forms a downward concave portion with the wall portions left on the left and right in the direction along the axial direction. For this reason, when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded from the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2 with the pressing operator 3 fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2, the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1 is inserted into the insertion portion of the pressing operator 3.

[0020] Thereby, the pressing operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a in a state of being fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 so as not to come off from the electronic pen. The operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 is provided at a position on the side surface of the outer housing 2 corresponding to the button switch of the circuit board when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 and fixed in a fixed position, as described above. For this reason, by pressing the pressing operator 3 fitted into the operator opening 22, it becomes possible to press the button switch provided on the circuit board of the electronic pen main body 1. Note that, by releasing the pressing on the pressing operator 3, although details will be described later, the rod-shaped pusher portion 16a acts as a leaf spring with the fixing portion 16b as a fulcrum and acts to return the pressing operator 3 to its original position.

[0021] The overload absorption unit 4 is configured such that a movable part 42 is slidably attached to an elastic body storage unit 41 in which, for example, a coil spring is stored as an elastic body. In a normal state where no pressure is applied to the movable part 42 in the rear end direction indicated by the arrow a, as shown in FIG. 1, the movable part 42 is pushed out from the elastic body storage unit 41, and the coil spring in the elastic body storage unit 41 is in a compressible state. In this embodiment, in the normal state, the coil spring in the elastic body storage unit 41 will not compress when a pressure of less than 300 grams is applied in the direction indicated by the arrow a. However, when a pressure of 300 grams or more is applied to the movable part 42 in the rear end direction indicated by the arrow a in this example, the coil spring in the elastic body storage unit 41 is gradually compressed according to the pressure, and the movable part 42 is pushed into the elastic body storage unit 41.

[0022] In the electronic pen of this embodiment, the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 so that the pen tip portion of the core 11 protrudes from the tip opening 21 of the outer housing 2. The overload absorption unit 4 is loaded from the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2 and fixed to the outer housing 2 such that the front end surface of the movable part contacts the rear end surface of the electronic pen main body 1 loaded into the outer housing 2. Thereby, the electronic pen main body 1 is also positioned at a predetermined position within the outer housing 2. When the electronic pen is in a non-use state, the movable part 42 of the overload absorption unit 4 is in the state of being pushed out from the elastic body storage unit 41 as shown in FIG. 1, and maintains the state where the pen tip portion of the core 11 of the electronic pen main body 1 protrudes from the tip opening 21. This state is maintained when the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the pen tip portion of the core 11 is less than 300 g (grams), even when the electronic pen is used.

[0023] However, when the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the pen tip of the core body 11 reaches 300 g or more, the coil spring in the elastic body housing portion 41 is compressed (contracted) by being pressed by the electronic pen main body portion 1 via the movable portion 42 of the overload absorption portion 4, and the movable portion 42 is pushed into the elastic body housing portion 41. Accordingly, the electronic pen main body portion 1 also slides (moves slidably) toward the rear end side, and the pen tip of the core body 11 is housed in the outer housing 2. That is, the electronic pen of this embodiment can be used without any problem as long as the writing pressure applied to the pen tip of the core body 11 is less than 300 g. However, when the writing pressure reaches 300 g or more, the pen tip of the core body 11 slides and moves into the outer housing 2 and cannot be used.

[0024] As described above, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, the electronic pen main body portion 1 is enabled to slide in the outer housing 2 according to the writing pressure applied to the pen tip of the core body 11. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the electronic pen from applying an overload of 300 g or more to the operation surfaces of a tablet PC or a high-function mobile phone terminal. Therefore, the electronic pen of this embodiment is suitable as an electronic pen to be used for a fillable terminal or the like on which a protective member such as tempered glass cannot be provided on the operation surface.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion centered on the button switch when the electronic pen of the embodiment is cut in half along the axial center. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the electronic pen of the embodiment is cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial center at the button switch portion. In FIG. 2, FIG. 2(A) shows a state where the pen tip of the core body 11 protrudes from the tip opening 21 of the outer housing 2. FIG. 2(B) shows a state where a writing pressure of 300 g or more is applied to the pen tip of the core body 11, the electronic pen main body portion 1 moves toward the rear end side, and the pen tip of the core body 11 is housed in the outer housing 2. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the electronic pen is cut along the axial center at the position indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 3, and thus the wall portion 31 portion of the pressing operation portion 3 described later is not shown.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), a circuit board 17 having a double-sided substrate configuration is mounted and fixed to an inner housing 15 of an electronic pen main body 1 loaded in an outer housing 2 which is a cylindrical body. The circuit board 17 is mounted with various electronic components such as capacitors and control ICs, as well as a button switch 18 that is pressed by a user. The button switch 18 in this embodiment is off when not pressed and on when pressed.

[0027] A pusher portion 16a is provided above the button switch 18. The pusher portion 16a is a rod-shaped portion that extends toward the pen tip so as to pass through the upper part of the button switch 18 without touching the portion of the electronic pen main body 1. On the surface of the pusher portion 16a facing the circuit board 17, recesses are formed in portions that may come into contact with electronic components other than the button switch 18 on the circuit board 17 when pressed. This prevents the pusher portion 16a from coming into contact with electronic components even when it is pressed and approaches the circuit board 17. Further, a convex portion 16t on the pen tip side of the surface of the pusher portion 16a facing the circuit board 17 functions as a stopper to prevent the pusher portion 16a from lowering more than necessary. As described above, a pressing operator 3 fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 is attached to the pusher portion 16a.

[0028] As described above, the upper surface side of the pressing operator 3 has a shape in which the short side of a rectangle is formed into an arc, and when fitted into the operator opening 22, it has a wall portion 31 that extends in the direction indicated by an arrow b, which is a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen, as shown in FIG. 3. The pressing operator 3 includes an insertion portion 32 that is recessed with wall portions 31 left on the left and right along the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 3. The insertion portion 32 has a T-shaped cross section due to the narrowing of the opening side. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the cross section of the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 is a T-shape that is slightly smaller than the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3.

[0029] Therefore, when assembling the electronic pen, first, the pressing operator 3 is fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2. Next, the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 is positioned on the side of the pressing operator 3, and the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded into the outer housing 2 from the loading opening 23. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3, and the pressing operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a.

[0030] That is, the pusher portion 16a having a T-shaped cross-section slightly smaller than that of the insertion portion 32 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 having a T-shaped cross-section of the pressing operator 3. As a result, the pressing operator 3 is attached so as not to come off with respect to the pusher portion 16a as shown in FIG. 3. When the state shown in FIG. 3 is viewed from the side of the electronic pen, the state shown in FIG. 2(A) is obtained. In this state, by pressing the pressing operator 3, the button switch 18 provided on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen main body 1 can be pressed.

[0031] Further, when in the state shown in FIG. 2(A), it is assumed that the entire electronic pen main body 1 has slid and moved to the rear end side as shown in FIG. 2(B) due to a pen pressure of 300 g or more being applied to the pen tip portion of the core 11 of the electronic pen main body 1. In this case, since the pressing operator 3 is fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2, it does not move with respect to the outer housing 2. However, as shown by the dotted arrows in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), when the electronic pen main body 1 slides and moves, the button switch 18 moves to a position shifted to the rear end side with respect to the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pressing operator 3.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2(B), even when the electronic pen main body 1 slides and moves toward the rear end side, the pusher portion 16a only moves toward the rear end side within the insertion portion 32 of the depressing operation element 3, so the depressing operation element 3 does not come off from the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1. Therefore, the depressing operation element 3 remains attached to the pusher portion 16a while maintaining the state of being fitted into the operation element opening 22 of the outer housing 2. Therefore, even when an overload of 300 g or more is applied to the core body 11 and the electronic pen main body 1 slides and moves toward the rear end side, the state in which the depressing operation element 3 is attached to the electronic pen can be stably maintained.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the depressing operation element 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a. As shown in FIG. 2(A), it is assumed that the center in the longitudinal direction of the depressing operation element 3 is located on the button switch 18 mounted on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen main body 1. In this case, if the depressing operation element 3 is depressed, as described above, the button switch 18 can be depressed through the depressing operation element 3 and the pusher portion 16a. Further, if the depressing operation on the depressing operation element 3 is released, the pusher portion 16a returns to its original position before being depressed due to the action as a leaf spring of the pusher portion 16a. Thereby, the pusher portion 16a can push up the depressing operation element 3 and return the depressing operation element 3 to its original position before the depressing operation.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the electronic pen of this embodiment. FIG. 4(A) shows the state inside the electronic pen by cutting the outer housing 2 and the depressing operation element 3 of the electronic pen of the embodiment in half in the axial direction and removing the front side. FIG. 4(B) shows only the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1 taken out. FIG. 4(C) shows the pusher member 16 when viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 4(B).

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the electronic pen main body 1 and the overload absorption part 4 are loaded into the outer housing 2. The electronic pen main body 1 includes a core 11, a ferrite core 12, a coil 13, a pen pressure detection part 14, an inner housing 15, and a pusher member 16. Inside the inner housing 15, a circuit board 17 on which electronic components such as a buckle switch 18, a capacitor, and a control IC are mounted is housed.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), when viewed from the side, the pusher member 16 has an L-shaped configuration including a pusher part 16a and a fixing part 16b. That is, it has a shape in which the rear end of the pusher part 16a is connected to the upper end of the fixing part 16b. When the pusher member 16 is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 4(B), as shown in FIG. 4(C), the fixing part 16b is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member, and a T-shaped bar-shaped pusher part 16a is provided at the center of the upper end of the fixing part 16b.

[0037] The pusher member 16 is fixed to the electronic pen main body 1 by inserting the fixing part 16b into slits provided on the left and right sides of the rear end side of the inner housing 15, for example. The pusher member 16 is formed of a hard resin such as plastic, for example, and at least the pusher part 16a has an elastic force in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction with the fixing part 16b as a fulcrum. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(B), when the pusher part 16a is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow d, the pusher part 16a moves downward in the direction indicated by the arrow e with the fixing part 16b as a fulcrum and presses the buckle switch 18. When the pressing in the direction indicated by the arrow d on the pusher part 16a is released, the pusher part 16a returns to its original position due to the elastic force acting in the direction indicated by the arrow f.

[0038] In this way, the pusher member 16 functions as a so-called leaf spring, with the fixed portion 16b as the fulcrum. When the pusher portion 16a is pressed down, it moves downward, and when the pressing is released, it returns to its original position by the elastic force. As a result, a side switch is realized on the side of the electronic pen that is operated by the user of the electronic pen, which is provided by the buckle switch 18 of the circuit board of the electronic pen main body 1, the pusher member 16 of the electronic pen main body 1, and the pressing operator 3. The side switch of the electronic pen in this embodiment turns on when pressed and turns off when the pressing operation is released.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the electromagnetic induction type electronic pen of this embodiment. The electronic pen of this embodiment includes a resonance circuit configured by connecting a coil (inductor) 13, a capacitor (capacitor) Cf, a pen pressure detection unit 14 configured as a variable capacitance capacitor, and a capacitor C1 for frequency change in parallel. The electronic pen of this embodiment includes a buckle switch 18 for switching whether to connect the capacitor C1 for frequency change to the resonance circuit. The buckle switch 18 turns on when the contacts 18a and 18b are simply connected, and turns off when they are disconnected.

[0040] Thereby, by switching the on / off of the buckle switch 18 via the pressing operator 3, the connection / disconnection of the capacitor C1 to the resonance circuit can be switched. Therefore, the frequency of the signal generated by the resonance circuit can be changed between the case where the capacitor C1 is connected to the resonance circuit and the case where it is not connected, and the two states of the case where the capacitor C1 is not connected to the resonance circuit and the case where it is connected can be notified to the position detection device side.

[0041] Note that the electromagnetic induction method performs position indication by transmitting and receiving a magnetic field between a position detection device and an electronic pen. That is, the position detection device includes a sensor unit in which a plurality of loop coils are arranged in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. An alternating transmission period in which power is sequentially supplied to the plurality of loop coils of the sensor unit to generate a magnetic field and a reception period in which the supply of power is stopped and an external magnetic field is received are provided. As described above, the corresponding electronic pen includes a resonance circuit composed of a coil and a capacitor. In response to the magnetic field from the sensor unit, a current flows through the coil to generate a magnetic field (signal), and this magnetic field is transmitted to the position detection sensor including pen pressure information. The position detection device receives this during the reception period, enabling detection of the indicated position and pen pressure by the electronic pen.

[0042] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, a side switch of the electronic pen including the pressing operator 3, the pusher member 16, and the button switch 18 can be configured, and a side switch that can be surely operated and functions stably can be realized. In this case, the pressing operator 3 is fitted into the operator opening 22 provided on the side surface of the outer housing 2, and the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded from the loading opening 23 of the outer housing 2, so that the pressing operator 3 is attached to the pusher portion 16a of the electronic pen main body 1. Thereby, the pressing operator 3 can be easily attached to the electronic pen main body 1, and a side switch can be realized. Further, even when the electronic pen main body 1 is loaded with respect to the outer housing 2 to configure the electronic pen, a side switch that functions stably can be provided.

[0043] Also, if the electronic pen main body 1 is removed from the outer housing 2, the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 comes out from the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3 fitted in the operator opening 22, so that the pressing operator 3 can be easily removed from the electronic pen. That is, an electronic pen that can be easily assembled and disassembled and is easy to maintain can be realized.

[0044] [Modifications, etc.] In the above-described embodiment, the pressing operator 3 has been described as including the insertion portion 32 which is a T-shaped recess having an opening on the lower side, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the insertion portion 32 can be various shapes. Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 is also determined. The key point is that when the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 is inserted into the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3, it should be ensured that it does not easily come off.

[0045] Therefore, the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3 may be configured to have a closed through-hole that does not have an opening on the lower side instead of a recess. In this case, the pusher portion 16a of the pusher member 16 only needs to be similar in shape to the insertion portion 32 of the pressing operator 3. Also, in this case, the button switch 18 is pressed by the pressing operator 3, and the pusher member 16 acts as a return leaf spring of the pressing operator 3.

[0046] Further, the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment is provided with an overload absorption portion 4 on the rear end side of the electronic pen main body portion 1, so that when a pressure of 300 grams or more is applied to the core 11, the electronic pen main body portion 1 is slid and moved, and the pen tip portion of the core 11 is housed in the outer housing 2. The reference value of the overload in this case is not limited to 300 g, and can be various values. Also, even when a feeding mechanism of the knock-type electronic pen main body portion 1 is provided instead of the overload absorption portion 4, the present invention can be applied because the configuration in which the electronic pen main body portion 1 slides and moves is the same.

[0047] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the button switch provided on the circuit board 17 of the electronic pen main body portion 1 has been described as being turned on when pressed and turned off when not pressed, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a so-called toggle-type button switch such that it becomes on when pressed and maintains this state, and becomes off when pressed again and maintains this state.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to an active capacitive electronic pen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit when the electronic pen of the present invention is configured as an active capacitive type. The core body 56 is configured as an electrode core made of a conductor, for example, a hard resin mixed with a conductive metal or conductive powder. In the following description, the core body 56 is referred to as the electrode core 56. The electronic circuit formed on the circuit board has the configuration shown in FIG. 6. That is, it has a circuit configuration including a signal transmission circuit 51, an electric double layer capacitor 52 as an example of a storage element that generates a driving voltage (power supply voltage) for driving the signal transmission circuit 51, a rectifying diode 53, and a voltage conversion circuit 54. The signal transmission circuit 51 is configured as an oscillation circuit in this example.

[0049] The electrode core 56 can press the pen pressure detection unit 57 by inserting through the through hole of the ferrite core in the same manner as in the case of the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment. The electrode core 56 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit 51 of the circuit board by a connection line 55. The pen pressure detection unit 57 is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit 51 formed on the circuit board as shown in FIG. 6. The oscillation circuit constituting the signal transmission circuit 51 generates a signal whose frequency changes according to the capacitance of the pen pressure detection unit 57 configured as a variable capacitance capacitor, and supplies the generated signal to the electrode core 56.

[0050] Furthermore, a capacitor C2 and a button switch 58 are connected in parallel to the signal transmission circuit 51. Including the button switch 58, a side switch is configured in the same manner as in the case of the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment. That is, the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is the configuration of the main body portion of the active capacitive electronic pen loaded in the outer housing 2. In the case of this main body portion of the active capacitive electronic pen, a pusher member 16 is provided in the same manner as in the case of the above-described electronic pen. Thereby, an active capacitive electronic pen can be configured in which a pressing operator fitted into the operator opening 22 of the outer housing 2 is attached to the pusher member 16, and the button switch 58 can be pressed via the pressing operator and the pusher portion 16a.

[0051] Note that the capacitance method is such that the position detection device includes a sensor unit in which a plurality of linear conductors (line electrodes) are arranged in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the indicated position is detected according to the change in capacitance (charge) generated in the linear conductors. Therefore, in the case of an active capacitance type electronic pen, a signal from a signal generation circuit mounted on the active capacitance type electronic pen is transmitted including pen pressure information, and this is received by the position detection device to detect the indicated position and the pen pressure. Further, since the frequency of the signal transmitted from the active capacitance type electronic pen can also be changed according to the on / off state of the button switch 58, the on / off state of the button switch 58 can also be indicated to the position detection device side.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 1... Electronic pen main body part, 11... Core body, 12... Ferrite core, 13... Coil, 14... Pen pressure detection part, 15... Inner housing, 16... Pusher member, 16a... Pusher part, 16b... Fixed part, 17... Circuit board, 18... Button switch, 2... Outer housing, 21... Tip opening, 22... Opening for operator, 23... Loading opening, 3... Pushing operator, 31... Wall part, 32... Insertion part, 4... Overload absorption part, 41... Elastic body storage part, 42... Movable part

Claims

1. An electronic pen comprising an electronic pen main body equipped with an electronic pen function, an outer housing which is a cylindrical body for housing the electronic pen main body, and an operating element for pressing, wherein the electronic pen main body comprises a button switch to be pressed down, and a rod-shaped pusher portion fixed to the rear end side and extending toward the pen tip so as to pass through the upper part of the button switch ; the outer housing comprises a loading opening provided at the rear end surface for loading the electronic pen main body, and an operating element opening provided at a position on the side surface corresponding to the button switch when the electronic pen main body is loaded and fixed in place ; the operating element for pressing is provided with an insertion portion through which the pusher portion is inserted when the electronic pen main body is loaded, while being fitted into the operating element opening, and pressing the operating element for pressing causes the button switch of the electronic pen main body to be pressed down characterizing the electronic pen.

2. The electronic pen according to Claim 1, wherein when the pressing on the operating element for pressing is released, the pusher portion functions as a leaf spring, the pusher portion and the operating element for pressing return to the state before pressing, and the pressing on the button switch is released characterizing the electronic pen.

3. The electronic pen according to Claim 1, wherein pressing the operating element for pressing causes the button switch of the electronic pen main body to be pressed down by the pusher portion characterizing the electronic pen.

4. The electronic pen according to Claim 1, wherein pressing the operating element for pressing causes the button switch of the electronic pen main body to be pressed down by the operating element for pressing attached to the pusher portion characterizing the electronic pen.

5. The electronic pen according to Claim 1, wherein a rear end side of the electronic pen main body loaded in the outer housing is provided with an overload absorption portion, the pen tip of the electronic pen main body loaded in the outer housing protrudes from the tip of the outer housing, and when a pen pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the pen tip, the function of the overload absorption portion causes the electronic pen main body to slide and move toward the rear end side of the outer housing, thereby housing the pen tip inside the outer housing As the sliding movement of the electronic pen main body part occurs, the pusher part inserted into the insertion part of the operation pressing operator fitted into the operator opening slides and moves, maintaining the state of being attached to the pusher part while the operation pressing operator is fitted into the operator opening of the outer housing. An electronic pen characterized by the above.

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