Capacitive Electronic Pen Tubular Casing Integrated Charging Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an electronic pen and cartridge that can be both thin and compatible with a ballpoint pen casing for use as a writing implement, while also allowing for efficient charging of the power storage device without the need for additional charging electrodes or coils, which is difficult due to the constraints of size and the overlap of components in existing capacitive and electromagnetic induction systems.
Innovation Solution
The electronic pen and cartridge employ a tubular casing with integrated conductor parts that function as power receiving electrodes for contactless electric field coupling with an external charging device, eliminating the need for exposed charging electrodes or coils by using the pen casing itself as part of the charging circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrode for charging is disposed on the pen casing to allow external charging, then the power storage device can be charged from outside, but the number of parts increases and the pen casing needs to be made into a special configuration, leading to an increase in cost
Solution Approach 1:
The pen casing serves dual functions: it acts as both the structural housing and the charging electrode. The conductor part integrated into the casing enables charging functionality without requiring separate charging electrodes, making the casing a multi-functional component that reduces part count and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The charging electrode function is merged with the pen casing structure itself. Instead of adding a separate charging electrode component, the conductor part is integrated directly into the casing, combining the housing and charging functions into a single unified structure
2Ease of operation
If a member obtained by winding a coil around a ferrite core is disposed on the pen tip side for electromagnetic induction charging, then the power storage device can be charged by external magnetic field, but the electrically-conductive central rod needs to be inserted through a through-hole of the ferrite core, increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The central rod is extracted from the complex integration requirement with the ferrite core. Instead of forcing the central rod through a through-hole in the ferrite core, the patent removes this structural constraint and allows the central rod to be positioned independently, simplifying the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The charging components are segmented into separate functional elements. The coil and ferrite core form the electromagnetic induction charging system, while the central rod serves the capacitive coupling function independently, allowing each component to be optimized without structural interference
3Length of moving object
If the electronic pen is designed to be thinner to meet size reduction preferences, then the portability improves, but the power storage device requires a small-size dedicated primary cell, leading to frequent replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power storage parameter from primary cells to secondary cells or electric double-layer capacitors. This parameter change enables rechargeability, allowing the use of larger capacity power storage devices that can be recharged multiple times, thereby reducing replacement frequency while maintaining thin pen design
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical replacement system (removing and installing new primary cells) is replaced with an electrical recharging system. The power storage device can be recharged in place through capacitive coupling or electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for mechanical battery replacement
4Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic pen cartridge is designed to be compatible with ballpoint pen casing for use as writing implement, then the versatility improves, but the position of the peripheral electrode overlaps the position of the ferrite core, making thickness reduction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forcing the peripheral electrode and ferrite core into overlapping positions to achieve ballpoint pen compatibility, the patent inverts the approach by allowing the cartridge to protrude from the pen casing. This reversal of the structural arrangement enables both ballpoint pen compatibility and reduced thickness without electrode-core overlap
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient charging of the power storage device within the pen or cartridge, enabling a thinner design compatible with ballpoint pens and simplifying the pen casing configuration, reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductor part and a second conductor part that are disposed to be exposed to external in such a manner as to contactlessly make electric field coupling with power transmitting electrodes of a power transmitting part of an external charging device
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic pen of a capacitive system includes a tubular pen casing, which houses an electronic circuit including a signal transmitting circuit that generates a signal to be supplied to a position detecting sensor and which houses a power storage device that provides a supply voltage to the electronic circuit and is chargeable. The electronic pen further includes a first conductor part and a second conductor part that are disposed to be exposed to outside to contactlessly form electric field coupling with power transmitting electrodes of a power transmitting part of an external charging device, to operate as power receiving electrodes. The electronic circuit includes a charging circuit that allows charging of the power storage device by being connected to the first conductor part and the second conductor part, and at least one of the first and second conductor parts is configured by part of the pen casing.