Writing Implement With Fiber-Like Protrusions for Fabric-Like Touch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing writing tools lack the ability to provide a visual and tactile sensation akin to a fabric surface, and there is room for improvement in design and usability.

Innovation Solution

The writing tool features fiber-like protrusions on its outer circumferential surface, with rib parts and step parts that mimic the appearance and feel of woven fabric, providing a sensation as if the surface were made of fabric, and includes textured surfaces and alternating protrusions for enhanced design and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a smooth outer circumferential surface is used, then manufacturing is simple, but visual and tactile sensation resembling fabric is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveouter circumferential surface textureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The outer circumferential surface is segmented into multiple fiber-like protrusions, each comprising multiple rib parts arranged side by side. This segmentation creates a fabric-like texture by dividing the surface into discrete elements that mimic the structure of woven materials, resolving the contradiction between achieving complex texture and maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surface structure is designed with local variations through fiber-like protrusions with different rib part configurations. Each local region has specific texture characteristics that resemble fabric surfaces, while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively simple through consistent formation methods applied across the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If fiber-like protrusions with multiple rib parts are added, then fabric-like sensation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric-like textureVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex fabric-like texture is achieved by segmenting the surface into standardized fiber-like protrusions with rib parts. This modular segmentation allows the complex appearance to be created through repetition of basic structural units, thereby managing device complexity through standardization rather than true complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surface structure copies the visual and tactile characteristics of fabric surfaces through fiber-like protrusions with rib parts arranged in patterns that mimic woven textures. This copying approach achieves the desired fabric-like sensation without requiring actual fabric materials, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the desired aesthetic and tactile properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4606593A1Writing implement
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 PILOT PEN CO LTD
  • EP4606593A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4606593A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4606593A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention includes an axial cylinder (1) extending in an axial direction along a center axis and a writing member disposed inside the axial cylinder (1). The axial cylinder (1) has fiber-like protrusions (6) protruding toward an outside in a radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the axial cylinder (1), the plurality of fiber-like protrusions (6) are provided side by side on the outer circumferential surface, and each of the fiber-like protrusions (6) has a plurality of rib parts which extend in predetermined directions when viewed from the outside in the radial direction and which are disposed side by side in a width direction orthogonal to the predetermined directions and a step part which is disposed between rib parts adjacent to each other in the width direction or disposed at an end portion in the width direction of the rib parts and extends in a predetermined direction.