Input device

Abstract

To provide an input device having a first axial member and a second axial member, insertion of the first and second axial members making the engagement easier.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes: an axial cylinder 10 formed in the shape of a cylinder; and a tail valve 20 engaged with the axial cylinder 10 by being inserted into the inside from an insertion edge part of the axial cylinder 10. In the inner peripheral surface of the axial cylinder 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the tail valve 20, a protruding part 23 extending in the axial direction is formed in one side and a recessed part 17 is formed which opens toward the edge part to receive the protruding part 23 in the other side. Near the entrance of the recessed part 17, a curved or inclined first guidance part 19 configured so that the inserted protruding part 23 is in contact and is guided to the recessed part 17 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a knock-type writing instrument as an input device, which includes a knock member as a first shaft member formed in a cylindrical shape, and a cam member as a second shaft member inserted from an end portion of the knock member into the interior thereof and fitted to the knock member. A convex portion extending in the axial direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam member, and a concave portion opening toward an end portion so as to receive the convex portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the knock member (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the knock-type writing instrument described in Patent Document 1, when fitting the knock member and the cam member, if the concave portion of the knock member and the convex portion of the cam member are not aligned in the circumferential direction, the convex portion interferes with the protrusion defining the concave portion, and the cam member cannot be inserted into the interior of the knock member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an input device having a first shaft member and a second shaft member, which can more easily perform fitting by inserting the first shaft member and the second shaft member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an input device is provided comprising a cylindrical first shaft member and a second shaft member inserted into the first shaft member from its insertion end and fitted with the first shaft member, wherein on the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft member and the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft member, a convex portion extending in the axial direction is formed on one side, and a recess opening toward the end is formed on the other side to receive the convex portion, and a curved or inclined first guide portion is formed near the entrance of the recess, configured to abut against and guide the inserted convex portion into the recess.

[0007] A curved or inclined second guide portion may be formed at the tip of the protrusion, which is configured to cooperate with the first guide portion to guide the protrusion into the recess. The front end of the protrusion may be a wider portion, and the wider portion and the recess may be configured to fit together when the first shaft member and the second shaft member are fitted together. The wider portion may be tapered. The recess may be formed such that its width narrows towards the back. The insertion end of the first shaft member and the corresponding end of the second shaft member may have the same non-circular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape may be a regular hexagon. The device may also include an input tool having the first shaft member and an input member positioned at the front end of the first shaft member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to aspects of the present invention, a common effect is to provide an input device having a first axis member and a second axis member that allows for easier fitting of the first axis member and the second axis member by insertion. [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 easier for students and teachers to accept.

[0014] The shaft 10 and tail plug 20 may have a circular cross-sectional shape, but it is preferable that they have a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as a regular hexagon, other polygons, or an ellipse. This prevents the input device 2 from rolling when placed on a desk or the like, and prevents it from falling off the desk or the like.

[0015] The front end of the shaft 10 is provided with a cylindrical fitting portion 13 into which the input member 11 can be fitted. Behind the fitting portion 13 is a male threaded portion 14 with a larger diameter than the fitting portion 13. A first engaging projection 15 is formed in an annular shape on the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the shaft 10. On the inner circumferential surface of the shaft 10 behind the first engaging projection 15, there are six groove-shaped recesses 17 that are defined by projections 16 and extend toward the end. The six recesses 17 are spaced equally apart from each other along the circumferential direction.

[0016] The input member 11 is a substantially hemispherical and cap-shaped member. A flange portion 11a is provided annularly 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, metal powder, etc. The shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20 are formed of a conductive material such as a metal material, a conductive resin material, a resin molded product mixed with metal powder, etc. 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 annularly 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 portion of the input member 11 protrudes from the fixing member 12, and the flange portion 11a of the input member 11 is in a state of being 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 a screen such as a touch panel, the input member 11 does not come off.

[0018] At the front end of the tail plug 20, an insertion portion 22 is formed which is inserted into the inside from the rear end portion which is the insertion end portion of the shaft cylinder 10. 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. On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 22, two convex portions 23 extending in the axial direction, specifically extending forward from the front end surface of the outer shape portion 21, are formed. 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. At the front end portion of the convex portion 23, a widened portion 24 wider than other portions of the convex portion 23 is formed. 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. On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 22 in front of the convex portion 23, two annular second engaging convex portions 25 are formed spaced apart in the axial direction.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the fitting process of the shaft cylinder 10 and the tail plug 20. In FIG. 6, the position of the convex portion 23 is shown with respect to the projection 16 defining 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 FIG. 6(A), the concave portion 17 is formed such that the width of the concave portion 17 becomes narrower from the inlet opening in the axial direction toward the inside. That is, the side surfaces 18 of the projections 16 facing each other in the concave portion 17 are formed to approach each other from the inlet opening of the concave portion 17 toward the inside. Therefore, the concave portion 17 is formed in a tapered shape. At the tip portion of the projection 16, that is, in the vicinity of the inlet of the concave portion 17 that opens, a curved first guiding portion 19 convexly formed outward is formed. On the other hand, in the tail plug 20, at the tip portion of the convex portion 23, particularly at the tip portion of the widened portion 24, a curved second guiding portion 26 convexly formed outward is formed so as to correspond to the first guiding portion 19.

[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. It comprises a first shaft member formed in a cylindrical shape, and a second shaft member that is inserted into the interior from the insertion end of the first shaft member and fits with the first shaft member. On the inner circumferential surface of the first shaft member and the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft member, a protrusion extending in the axial direction is formed on one, and a plurality of recesses opening toward the end are formed on the other so as to receive the protrusion. The input device is characterized in that a curved first guide portion is formed near the entrance of the plurality of recesses, configured to abut against the inserted protrusion and guide it into the plurality of recesses.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a curved or inclined second guide portion is formed at the tip of the convex portion, which is configured to cooperate with the first guide portion to guide the convex portion into the plurality of recesses.

3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front end of the protrusion is a wider portion, and the wider portion and the plurality of recesses are configured to fit together when the first shaft member and the second shaft member are fitted together.

4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the wide portion is formed in a tapered shape.

5. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed such that the width of the plurality of recesses narrows as they extend further inward.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insertion end of the first shaft member and the corresponding end of the second shaft member have the same non-circular cross-sectional shape.

7. The input device according to claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional shape is a regular hexagon.

8. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an input tool having a first shaft member and an input member disposed at the front end of the first shaft member.

Images