Input device

Abstract

To provide an input device having an input tool with an input member and a preliminary input member.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes: an input tool 2 having an axial cylinder 10 and an input member 11 arranged in the front end part of the axial cylinder 10; and a cap 3 which can be fit in the front end part of the axial cylinder 10. The cap 3 has a cap body 30 and a cover member 31. The preliminary input member 11 is attached to the front end part of the cap body 30 and the cap member 31 is attached to the cap body 30 so that the preliminary input member 11 is covered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a known input device in which a writing instrument and an input tool such as a capacitive or pressure-sensitive stylus or touch pen are integrated (see Patent Document 1). In the input device described in Patent Document 1, an input member is attached to the tip of the cap.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, an input tool such as a stylus or touch pen has an input member, and the input member wears out due to repeated rubbing against a screen such as a touch panel. In particular, the input member of Patent Document 1 is made of hemispherical rubber, and conductive fibers are implanted on the hemispherical surface. The conductive fibers may peel off due to repeated wear. If the input member is damaged due to wear or the like, there is a risk that input to the screen cannot be performed. At this time, it is preferable to have a spare input member at hand so that it can be quickly replaced.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an input device having an input tool having an input member and a spare input member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an input device is provided that comprises an input tool having a first shaft member and an input member disposed at the front end of the first shaft member, and a cap that can be fitted onto the front end of the first shaft member, wherein the cap has a cap body and a cover member, a spare input member is attached to the front end of the cap body, and the cover member is attached to the cap body so as to cover the spare input member.

[0007] The cover member may be screwed onto the cap. Conductive fibers may be flocked onto the surface of the input member. The cover member may be provided with through holes for viewing the spare input member located inside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to aspects of the present invention, a common effect is to provide an input device having an input member and a spare input member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the input device of the input device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input device of the input device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rear end of the input device of the input device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the process of fitting the shaft barrel and the tail plug. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap of the input device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input device shown in Figure 1, equipped with a writing instrument. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of the writing instrument. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Throughout all drawings, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view of an input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the input tool 2 of the input device 1 of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input tool 2 of the input device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rear end of the input tool 2 of the input device 1 of Figure 1, in particular Figure 5(A) shows the state immediately before the shaft cylinder 10 and tail plug 20 are fitted together, and Figure 5(B) shows the state after the shaft cylinder 10 and tail plug 20 are fitted together.

[0012] The input device 1 comprises an input tool 2 and a cap 3. The input tool 2 comprises a cylindrical first shaft member, which is a shaft cylinder 10; a second shaft member, which is a tail plug 20, inserted into the shaft cylinder 10 from the rear end, which is the insertion end, and fitted with the shaft cylinder 10; and an input member 11 detachably attached to the front end of the shaft cylinder 10. In this specification, in the axial direction of the input device 1 or the input tool 2, the side with the input member 11 is defined as the "front" side, and the side opposite to the input member 11 is defined as the "rear" side. For the cap 3, the closed end side is defined as the "front" side, and the open end side is defined as the "rear" side.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5, the barrel 10 has a cross-sectional shape of a regular hexagon with rounded vertices. The outer shape 21 of the tail plug 20, which is connected to the rear end of the barrel 10 and thus continuous, also has a cross-sectional shape of a regular hexagon with rounded vertices. As a result, the outer shape of the barrel 10, and by extension the outer shape of the entire input device 2, is similar to that of a typical pencil. Therefore, when introducing the input device 1 to educational settings such as elementary or junior high schools, it becomes more readily accepted by students and teachers.

[0014] The shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20 may have a circular cross-sectional shape, but preferably have a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as other polygons including regular hexagons or ellipses. Thereby, it is possible to prevent rolling when the input tool 2 is placed on a desk or the like and to prevent it from falling from a desk or the like.

[0015] A cylindrical fitting portion 13 into which the input member 11 can be fitted is provided at the front end portion of the shaft cylinder 10. A male screw portion 14 having a larger diameter than the fitting portion 13 is provided behind the fitting portion 13. A first engaging convex portion 15 is formed in an annular shape on the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the shaft cylinder 10. Six groove-shaped recesses 17 defined by the protrusions 16 and extending toward the end are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft cylinder 10 behind the first engaging convex portion 15. The six recesses 17 are spaced apart from each other at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0016] The input member 11 is a substantially hemispherical and cap-shaped member. A flange portion 11a is provided in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface of the open rear end portion of the input member 11. The input member 11 is formed of a conductive rubber containing a conductive material such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and metal powder, and the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20 are formed of a conductive material such as a metal material, a conductive resin material, and a resin molded product mixed with metal powder. Thereby, conduction from the input member 11 to the user's finger is ensured through the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20, and the input tool 2 can be used as a capacitive touch pen. Conductive fibers may be flocked on the hemispherical surface of the input member 11. Thereby, the frictional resistance of the input member 11 against the screen can be reduced, and a smoother and more delicate input operation can be performed.

[0017] The input member 11 is attached to the shaft cylinder 10 via a cylindrical fixing member 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an internal thread portion 12a that can be screwed with the external thread portion 14 of the shaft cylinder 10 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing member 12. A locking portion 12b is provided in an annular shape on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the fixing member 12. With the input member 11 fitted into the fitting portion 13, the fixing member 12 is inserted into the input member 11 from the front, and the fixing member 12 is screwed onto the shaft cylinder 10. In the state where the screwing is completed, the tip end portion of the input member 1 is projected from the fixing member 12, and the flange portion 11a of the input member 11 is locked to the locking portion 12b of the fixing member 12. Thereby, when the input device 1 is used, that is, even by the rubbing operation of the input member 11 against the screen such as the touch panel, the input member 11 does not come off.

[0018] An insertion portion 22 that is inserted into the inside from the rear end portion, which is the insertion end portion of the shaft cylinder 10, is formed at the front end portion of the tail plug 20. The insertion portion 22 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the outer shape portion 21. In FIG. 4, only the tail plug 20 is shown not in a longitudinal sectional view but in a side view. Two convex portions 23 that extend in the axial direction, specifically, extend forward from the front end surface of the outer shape portion 21, are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 22. The two convex portions 23 are arranged at symmetric positions with respect to the central axis of the tail plug 20. The two convex portions 23 are configured to be received by the concave portion 17 of the shaft cylinder 10. A widened portion 24 that is wider than the other portions of the convex portion 23 is formed at the front end portion of the convex portion 23. In this specification, the "width" refers to the length in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical member. Two annular second engaging convex portions 25 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 22 that is more forward than the convex portion 23, being spaced apart in the axial direction.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the process of fitting between the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20. In FIG. 6, the positions of the convex portions 23 are shown with respect to the projection 16 that defines the concave portion 17 developed in the circumferential direction. In the figure, the upper side is the front of the input device 1 or the input tool 2, and the lower side is the rear of the input device 1 or the input tool 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 6(A), the recess 17 is formed such that its width narrows as it moves from the entrance opening in the axial direction towards the back. That is, the side surfaces 18 of the opposing projections 16 in the recess 17 are formed to approach each other as they move from the entrance opening towards the back of the recess 17. Therefore, the recess 17 is formed in a tapered shape. A curved first guide portion 19, which is convex outwards, is formed at the tip of the projection 16, i.e., the portion near the entrance of the opening recess 17. On the other hand, in the tail plug 20, a curved second guide portion 26, which is convex outwards to correspond to the first guide portion 19, is formed at the tip of the projection 23, particularly at the tip of the wide portion 24.

[0021] Figure 6(A) shows the state in which, when attempting to insert the tail plug 20 into the shaft cylinder 10, the recess 17 and the protrusion 23 do not align in the circumferential direction, and the first guide portion 19 of the shaft cylinder 10 and the second guide portion 26 of the tail plug 20 are in contact. In this state, when the tail plug 20 is pushed into the shaft cylinder 10 along the axial direction, a circumferential force is generated due to the relative shapes of the curved first guide portion 19 and the curved second guide portion 26, causing the tail plug 20 to rotate around the central axis relative to the shaft cylinder 10. That is, when the tail plug 20 is pushed into the shaft cylinder 10, the first guide portion 19 and the second guide portion 26 cooperate to move the protrusion 23 in the circumferential direction (Figure 6(B)). As a result, the protrusion 23 is guided into the recess 17 (Figure 6(C)). At this time, the positional relationship between the recess 17 of the shaft 10 and the protrusion 23 of the tail plug 20 is determined so that the corresponding surfaces of the shaft 10 and the tail plug 20, which have a regular hexagonal cross-sectional shape, are aligned.

[0022] When the tail plug 20 is pushed further into the shaft cylinder 10 from the state shown in Figure 6(C), the protrusion 23 advances with both sides of the wide portion 24 in contact with the side surface 18 of the recess 17. Since the side surface 18 is formed to narrow as it moves inward from the entrance opening of the recess 17, the wide portion 24 is elastically compressed and deformed in the width direction as it advances (Figure 6(D)). As a result, the recess 17 and the protrusion 23 fit together.

[0023] In this process, the two second engaging protrusions 25 of the tail plug 20 successively overcome the first engaging protrusions 15 of the shaft cylinder 10, locking the tail plug 20 so that it does not easily come off the shaft cylinder 10. At the moment the second engaging protrusion 25 of the tail plug 20 that is further rear overcomes the first engaging protrusion 15 of the shaft cylinder 10, the front end surface of the outer shape 21 of the tail plug 20 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the shaft cylinder 10. This restricts the insertion of the tail plug 20 and completes the fitting of the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20. The recess 17, the protrusion 23, and consequently the wide portion 24 engage when the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20 are fitted together.

[0024] As explained in particular with reference to Figures 6(A) to 6(C), even if the recess 17 and the protrusion 23 do not align circumferentially when attempting to insert the tail plug 20 into the shaft 10, the first guide portion 19 and the second guide portion 26 work together to align the recess 17 and the protrusion 23 circumferentially. Therefore, fitting by insertion of the shaft 10 and the tail plug 20 can be made easier, and the outer surfaces of the shaft 10 and the tail plug 20, specifically the hexagonal cross-sectional shapes, can be neatly aligned.

[0025] Both the first guide portion 19 and the second guide portion 26 are curved, but either one or both of the first guide portion 19 and the second guide portion 26 may be inclined. In short, the first guide portion 19 and the second guide portion 26 can be configured arbitrarily as long as they are configured so that the inserted protrusion 23 abuts against them and is guided into the recess 17. Furthermore, as long as they are configured so that the inserted protrusion 23 abuts against them and is guided into the recess 17, it is not necessary for both the first guide portion and the second guide portion to be provided; either the first guide portion or the second guide portion may be provided alone.

[0026] As explained with reference to Figure 6(D), the protrusion 23, particularly the wide portion 24, fits into the recess 17, thereby suppressing rattling after fitting the shaft 10 and tail plug 20. The wide portion 24 may be tapered towards the front as a whole. In this case, it is preferable that the tapered wide portion 24 is steeper than the angle of the side surface 18 of the recess 17, which is formed to narrow towards the back. This allows the wide portion 24 to deform more elastically by contacting the side surface 18 when the tail plug 20 is pushed into the shaft 10, and the wide portion 24 to be locked more firmly against the side surface 18.

[0027] Furthermore, instead of the side surface of the protrusion 23 contacting the side surface 18 of the recess 17 along the axial direction, only the side surface of the wide portion 24 contacts the side surface 18. This reduces the resistance when the protrusion 23 moves forward within the recess 17, allowing it to move more smoothly, while promoting the elastic deformation described above. In short, the recess 17, protrusion 23, and wide portion 24 can be configured arbitrarily, as long as the recess 17 and protrusion 23 are configured to fit together when the shaft cylinder 10 and tail plug 20 are inserted and fitted together. For example, the outer shape of the wide portion 24 may be circular. Alternatively, the protrusion 23 may be formed in a manner that is substantially complementary to the recess 17, without having a wide portion 24.

[0028] The tail plug 20 has two protrusions 23, but there may be one or more protrusions 23, for example, three. Similarly, the shaft cylinder 10 has six recesses 17, but there may be one or more recesses 17, for example, four, as long as the number of recesses 17 is the same as or greater than the number of corresponding protrusions 23. Preferably, each of the multiple protrusions and multiple recesses is spaced equally apart from one another along the circumferential direction. The protrusions may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft cylinder 10, and the recesses may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tail plug 20.

[0029] Figure 7 is an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap 3 of the input device 1 shown in Figure 1. The cap 3 has a cap body 30 and a cylindrical cover member 31 equipped with a clip 32. The front end of the cap body 30 is provided with a cylindrical fitting portion 33 into which the input member 11 can be fitted, and a male threaded portion 34 with a larger diameter than the fitting portion 33 is provided behind the fitting portion 33. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the cover member 31 is provided with a female threaded portion 31a that can be screwed into the male threaded portion 34 of the cap body 30.

[0030] The input member 11 can be housed inside the cap 3 by attaching the cover member 31 to the cap body 30 while the input member 11 is fitted into the fitting portion 33 of the cap body 30. The input member 11 housed inside the cap 3 can be used as a spare to replace the input member 11 of the input device 2 if it is damaged due to wear or other reasons. Having a spare input member 11 in the input device 1 allows for quick replacement. The cover member 31 is attached to the cap body 30 so as to cover the input member 11, which prevents contamination and damage to the input member 11. Since the cap body 30 and the cover member 31 are attached by screwing, the cover member 31 will not come off the cap body 30 even if only the cover member 31 or clip 32 is pulled when removing the cap 3 from the input device 2.

[0031] The outer surface of the cover member 31, for example, the outer circumference, may be provided with a circular or rectangular through-hole so that it is possible to check whether or not there is a spare input member 11 inside the cap 3. This prevents forgetting to replenish the spare input member 11 after taking it out of the cap 3 and replacing it with the input member 11 of the input device 2.

[0032] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the input device 1 of Figure 1 equipped with a writing instrument 40, and Figure 9 is a side view of the writing instrument 40. The writing instrument 40 is equipped with a tail plug 20 and is configured to be housed within the barrel 10. The writing instrument 40 has a small barrel 41 which is a third barrel member, and a refill 42 housed within the small barrel 41. In the input device 1, the front end of the tail plug 20 is inserted into the rear end of the barrel 10 and fitted with the barrel 10, and the rear end of the small barrel 41 is inserted into the front end of the tail plug 20 and fitted with the tail plug 20.

[0033] The writing instrument 40 can be separated from the input device 2 by pulling the end cap 20 while gripping the barrel 10. In this state, the input device 2 can be used for input using the input member 11, and the writing instrument 40 can be used for writing with the refill 42. In particular, the writing instrument 40 can be made long enough to be easily gripped by the user as long as it fits inside the barrel 10, so that the input device and the writing instrument are easy to use even when separated.

[0034] The end cap 20 and the small barrel 41 are fitted together by press-fitting, but they may also be fitted together by screwing, and as described above for the barrel 10 and end cap 20, they may be fitted together by having one engaging projection overcome the other engaging projection. In Figure 8, the small barrel 41 is about half the length of the barrel 10, but the small barrel 41 may be made long enough to be housed inside the barrel 10 to cover its entire length. This increases the overall length of the writing instrument 40, making it easier to grip and write with. Also, since the overall length of the refill 42 is also increased, it can hold more ink, etc., and allows for longer writing time.

[0035] In the input device 1 described above, the entire input tool 2, including the input member 11, is formed from a conductive material to create a capacitive touch pen. However, the input member may be formed from a harder material, such as hard plastic, and configured in a tapered shape to create a pressure-sensitive stylus. In short, the input tool 2 can be a capacitive or pressure-sensitive stylus or touch pen, or other type of input tool.

[0036] The refill 42 of the writing instrument 40 may be a ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, marker pen, mechanical pencil, or fountain pen refill. The refill 42 may contain thermochromic ink. In this case, the writing instrument 40 is a thermochromic writing instrument, and the cap 3 or end cap 20 may be configured as a friction element. In the writing instrument 40 as a thermochromic writing instrument, the writing on the writing instrument 40 can change color due to the frictional heat generated when it is rubbed by the cap 3 or end cap 20 acting as a friction element.

[0037] Here, thermochromic ink refers to ink that maintains a predetermined color (first color) at room temperature (e.g., 25°C), changes to a different color (second color) when heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 60°C), and then returns to its original color (first color) when cooled to a predetermined temperature (e.g., -5°C). In the writing instrument 40 using thermochromic ink, the second color is made colorless, and the process of heating the line written with the first color (e.g., red) to make it colorless is referred to here as "erasing." Therefore, the line is rubbed against the writing surface, etc., by a friction element acting as an eraser to generate frictional heat, thereby changing the line to colorless, i.e., erasing it. Of course, the second color may be a color other than colorless.

[0038] Referring to Figure 6, the fitting of the barrel 10 and the tail plug 20 described above is also applicable to other input devices having a first shaft member and a second shaft member. The first shaft member and the second shaft member may be, for example, the barrel and tail plug as described above, the front shaft and rear shaft that constitute the barrel, or the tip member and barrel that constitute the barrel. Other input devices may include, in addition to the capacitive or pressure-sensitive stylus or touch pen input tools described above, for example, an applicator. Here, "applicator" broadly includes not only applicators for correction fluid, adhesives and chemicals, as well as applicators for cosmetics such as mascara, eyeliner, lipstick and nail polish, but also writing instruments such as ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens, marker pens, mechanical pencils, fountain pens and thermochromic writing instruments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Input device 2 Input device 3 caps 10 shaft cylinder 11 Input Members 11a Flange section 12 Fixing member 12a Female thread section 12b Locking part 13. Fitting part 14 Male threaded section 15 First engaging protrusion 16 protrusions 17 Recess 18 Side view 19 1st Information Department 20 tail plug 21 External shape 22 Insertion section 23 Convex part 24 Wide section 25 Second engagement protrusion 26 2nd Information Department 30 Cap body 31 Cover component 31a Female thread section 32 clips 33 Fitting part 34 Male threaded section 40 Writing instruments 41 Small shaft tube 42 refills

Claims

1. The input device comprises a first shaft member and an input member disposed at the front end of the first shaft member, and a cap that can be fitted onto the front end of the first shaft member. An input device characterized in that the cap has a cap body and a cylindrical cover member, a spare input member is attached to the front end of the cap body, and the cover member is attached to the cap body so as to cover the spare input member.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is screwed onto the cap.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein conductive fibers are implanted on the surface of the input member.

4. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover member is provided with a through hole for viewing the spare input member located inside.

Images