Patent Description:
An example of a prized capacitance electronic pen includes a generally-called active capacitance electronic pen that performs a transfer (interaction) of a signal to and from a position detection sensor of a position detection apparatus through electric field coupling, thereby allowing the position detection sensor to detect a position instructed by the electronic pen.

This type of electronic pen includes, in a hollow portion of a cylindrical housing, a battery (primary battery or secondary battery) as a power supply, a pen pressure detection unit, a circuit board provided with a signal transmission circuit, and the like, in which the components are lined up and housed in an axial direction of the housing of the electronic pen.

In this case, the circuit board is mounted on a board holder, and the pen pressure detection unit includes pressure sensing components and pressure transmission members housed in a housing for pen pressure detection unit. Furthermore, the pen pressure detection unit and the board holder are often coupled in the axial direction of the housing of the electronic pen to form a unit (form a module). The board holder includes a housing part of the pen pressure detection unit in some cases.

In the electronic pen, the unit of constituent components of the electronic pen and the battery are lined up in the axial direction and housed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical housing. In this way, the unit of the constituent components of the electronic pen is formed, and the electronic pen can prevent an impact on an internal circuit caused by a drop impact, can increase the strength, and can slightly adjust the internal circuit. In addition, there is an advantage that only the housing of the electronic pen is replaced to allow handling the electronic pen in various housing shapes.

Meanwhile, in active capacitance electronic pens of recent years, an electronic pen of two-way communication has emerged that receives a signal from a position detection sensor side, which detects an instruction position of the electronic pen, and that transmits a signal in a format based on a request of the received signal (for example, see Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>)).

In this type of electronic pen of two-way communication, the position and the size of a reception unit (antenna) that receives the signal from the position detection sensor are important. In the case of the capacitance electronic pen, the signal transmitted from the position detection sensor is based on an electric field that can be received through capacitive coupling, and the travel distance is significantly short. Therefore, the reception unit (antenna) of the electronic pen of two-way communication is arranged at a position close to the pen tip to allow receiving the signal from the position detection sensor at high strength. Furthermore, the reception unit (antenna) of the electronic pen needs to have a size that provides a reception range as large as possible.

Therefore, in the electronic pen of Patent Document <NUM>, the reception unit (antenna) includes a peripheral electrode including a cylindrical conductor provided to cover around a core body made of a conductive material, up to near a tip portion of the core body, while electrical insulation from the core body is taken into account.

Furthermore, it is proposed in recent years to use a position detection apparatus to detect a tilt angle of the electronic pen with respect to the position detection sensor surface (angle formed by the axial direction of the electronic pen and the position detection sensor surface) and to reflect the detected tilt angle on the thickness or the like of an instruction trajectory (writing trace) of the electronic pen. An example of this type of electronic pen corresponding to the detection of the tilt angle is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>).

As disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, this type of electronic pen corresponding to the detection of the tilt angle or the like also includes a peripheral electrode including a cylindrical conductor provided to cover around the core body, up to near the tip portion of the core body, as in the electronic pen of two-way communication.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a configuration on a pen tip side of this type of conventional capacitance electronic pen. <FIG> illustrates an appearance of the electronic pen, and <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electronic pen. An electronic pen <NUM> of this example includes a front cap <NUM> including a tapered cylindrical body fitted and attached to an opening on the pen tip side of a cylindrical housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The housing <NUM> is made of a conductive material, such as metal, so that the housing <NUM> is earthed (grounded) through the human body when the user holds and operates the electronic pen <NUM>. In addition, the front cap <NUM> is made of an insulating material, such as a resin.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an opening 102a is provided on the tapered pen tip side of the front cap <NUM> so that a core body <NUM> can be inserted and freely moved in the axial direction. The core body <NUM> is made of a conductive material. The core body <NUM> is inserted into the housing of the electronic pen <NUM> from the opening 102a of the front cap <NUM> and is held by a core body holder <NUM> described later, with a tip portion 103a of the core body <NUM> protruding outside. In this case, the core body <NUM> made of a conductive material and the housing <NUM> made of a conductive material are electrically separated (insulated) through the front cap <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a board holder <NUM> that places, on a mounting portion 105a, a printed board <NUM> provided with circuit components, such as a signal transmission circuit, is housed in a hollow portion of the housing <NUM>. The board holder <NUM> is made of a resin that is an insulating material elongated in the axial direction, and in the example of <FIG>, the board holder <NUM> includes a cylindrical portion 105b on the pen tip side in the axial direction with respect to the mounting portion 105a. Pressure sensing components and pressure transmission members included in a pen pressure detection unit <NUM> are housed in the cylindrical portion 105b. The pen pressure detection unit <NUM> of the example includes a variable capacitor in which the capacitance changes according to the pen pressure applied to the core body <NUM>.

The pressure sensing components of the example include a plurality of components including a dielectric <NUM>, a terminal member <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, a conductive member <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The terminal member <NUM> is made of a conductive material, such as SUS, and is included in a first electrode of a variable capacitor including pressure sensing components. In addition, the conductive member <NUM> is made of, for example, conductive rubber, and the elastic member <NUM> includes a coil spring made of a conductive material, such as SUS. The conductive member <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> are electrically connected and provide a second electrode of the variable capacitor. The conductive member <NUM> is held by the holding member <NUM>. Furthermore, the elastic member <NUM> is arranged between the dielectric <NUM> and the holding member <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM> is provided so that the conductive member <NUM> is biased all the time in a direction away from the dielectric <NUM>.

The side of the core body <NUM> opposite the tip portion is fitted to the core body holder <NUM> made of a conductive material through a conductive elastic member <NUM>, and the core body <NUM> is coupled to and held by the core body holder <NUM>. Furthermore, the core body holder <NUM> is fitted to the holding member <NUM> of the pressure sensing components in the cylindrical portion 105b of the board holder <NUM>, and the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body <NUM> is transmitted to the pressure sensing components.

In this case, the core body holder <NUM> including the conductive elastic member <NUM> functions as a pressure transmission member that transmits, to the pressure sensing components, the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body <NUM>. In this case, the core body holder <NUM> is housed in a housing <NUM> for holding the core body holder <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

Furthermore, a coil spring <NUM> that always biases the core body holder <NUM> toward the core body <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> is made of a conductive material, such as conductive metal, and one end of the coil spring <NUM> is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit arranged on the printed board <NUM>, although not illustrated.

The core body holder <NUM> is made of a conductive material, and the core body <NUM> made of a conductive material and installed on the core body holder <NUM> through the conductive elastic member <NUM> is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit arranged on the printed board <NUM> through the coil spring <NUM>.

In the electronic pen <NUM> of the example, the core body <NUM> is displaced inside of the housing <NUM> of the electronic pen <NUM> in the axial direction when the pressure (pen pressure) is applied to the front end side of the core body <NUM>. Consequently, the core body holder <NUM> provided with the core body <NUM> is displaced in the axial direction together with the core body <NUM>, and the conductive member <NUM> is displaced toward the dielectric <NUM> against the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> of the pressure sensing components. Consequently, the contact area of the conductive member <NUM> and the dielectric <NUM> is changed according to the applied pressure, and the capacitance of the variable capacitor including the pen pressure detection unit <NUM> is changed according to the applied pressure. Therefore, the pen pressure can be detected based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor including the pen pressure detection unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the electronic pen <NUM> of the example, a peripheral electrode <NUM> made of a conductor material surrounding the core body <NUM> is fitted to a peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 105b of the board holder <NUM> on the pen tip side as illustrated in <FIG>. The peripheral electrode <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit components of the printed board <NUM> although not illustrated in <FIG>.

In this case, the peripheral electrode <NUM> is electrically separated (insulated) from the core body <NUM> due to the existence of a section 102c near the opening portion 102a of the front cap <NUM>. In addition, the front cap <NUM> also plays a role of electrically separating (insulating) the peripheral electrode <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the electronic pen <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

<CIT> discloses a position indicator for use with a position detecting sensor that carries out position detection by detecting a change in capacitance.

<CIT> discloses an electronic pen comprising an emitter circuit which, when one of a first terminal and a second terminal is connected to ground via a predetermined capacitance, outputs an alternating-current signal from the other of the first terminal and the second terminal.

<CIT> discloses a position indicator that includes a first electrode receiving an alternating current signal from a position detecting sensor and a second electrode transmitting an AC signal to the position detecting sensor.

Meanwhile, a portable terminal, such as a notebook computer and a tablet, of recent years is provided with a capacitance position detection sensor on which a display screen is placed, and the terminal can receive an instruction input of a capacitance electronic pen. Furthermore, the size and the thickness of this type of portable device are reduced to further improve the portability. Therefore, the size and the thickness of the capacitance electronic pen associated with the position detection sensor of this type of portable terminal also need to be reduced.

However, in the conventional electronic pen, the pressure sensing components and the core body holder <NUM> as a pressure transmission member housed in the housing <NUM> are housed in the cylindrical portion 105b of the board holder <NUM> in the pen pressure detection unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 105b of the board holder <NUM> providing the housing of the pen pressure detection unit <NUM> needs to have a thickness that allows to house the core body holder <NUM> as a pressure transmission member housed in the housing <NUM>, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness due to the existence of the housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the electronic pen of two-way communication or the electronic pen compatible with the detection of the tilt angle, the cylindrical peripheral electrode <NUM> needs to be electrically separated (insulated) from the housing <NUM> and the core body <NUM> and provided on the pen tip side of the electronic pen <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

To realize the electrical separation (insulation) between the housing <NUM> and the peripheral electrode <NUM> in the conventional electronic pen <NUM>, the front cap <NUM> made of an insulating material is provided on the pen tip side of the electronic pen <NUM>, and the front cap <NUM> realizes the electrical separation (insulation) of the peripheral electrode <NUM> from the housing <NUM> and the core body <NUM>. Therefore, the front cap <NUM> is placed between the housing <NUM> and the peripheral electrode <NUM> and between the peripheral electrode <NUM> and the core body <NUM> in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the electronic pen <NUM>, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the electronic pen. In addition, the front cap <NUM> needs to have a complicated shape to allow the insulation.

In view of the problems, an object of the invention is to provide a capacitance electronic pen in which the thickness can be reduced.

To solve the problems, provided is a capacitance electronic pen arranged such that a front end of a core body made of a conductive material protrudes from one opening side of a hollow portion of a cylindrical housing, the electronic pen including a plurality of components lined up in an axial direction in the hollow portion, in which the electronic pen includes a cylindrical coupling member made of an insulating material and configured to house at least part of the plurality of components, the cylindrical housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion separated in the axial direction, the first housing portion is made of a conductive material and includes an opening arranged such that the front end of the core body protrudes outside in a state in which the first housing portion is electrically separated from the core body, and a ring-shaped flange portion protruding in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction from the peripheral side surface is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling member, an end surface of the protruding part of the ring-shaped flange portion is part of the cylindrical housing, one side of the cylindrical coupling member in the axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped flange portion is fitted to the first housing portion, another side of the cylindrical coupling member in the axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped flange portion is fitted to the second housing portion, and the first housing portion and the second housing portion are separated without coming into contact with each other due to the existence of the ring-shaped flange portion.

In the electronic pen with the configuration, part of the plurality of components included in the electronic pen, such as part of pen pressure detection components, can be housed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical coupling member. That is, a housing of a pen pressure detection unit can also be used as the cylindrical coupling member. In the cylindrical coupling member, the ring-shaped flange portion is part of the housing, and the thickness of the electronic pen can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the electronic pen with the configuration, the housing is divided into two portions, the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The first housing portion on the pen tip side is made of a conductive material. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are fitted to one side and the other side of the cylindrical coupling member in the axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped flange portion to provide the housing of the electronic pen. In this case, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are not in contact with each other and are separated without coming into contact with each other due to the existence of the ring-shaped flange portion.

Therefore, in the electronic pen with the configuration, the first housing made of a conductive material can be provided as a peripheral electrode of an electronic pen of two-way communication or as a peripheral electrode of an electronic pen compatible with detection of a tilt angle. That is, the peripheral electrode can be provided as part of the housing. Therefore, the configuration is simplified, and the thickness of the electronic pen can be reduced.

<FIG> depicts diagrams for describing a configuration example of an embodiment of a capacitance electronic pen according to the invention. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a capacitance electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment, and <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on a pen tip side of the electronic pen <NUM>. In addition, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view for describing a configuration of a housing <NUM> of the capacitance electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment.

The housing <NUM> of the capacitance electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment includes a first housing portion <NUM> on the pen tip side and a second housing portion <NUM> on a back end side that are coupled through a cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. Furthermore, a core body <NUM> is held such that a tip portion 21a of the core body <NUM> protrudes outside from an opening 10a (see <FIG>) on the first housing portion <NUM> side of the housing <NUM>. The core body <NUM> is made of a conductive material, such as conductive metal, and the core body <NUM> includes a rod-like body as illustrated in <FIG>.

Each of the first housing portion <NUM> on the pen tip side and the second housing portion <NUM> on the back end side is made of a conductive material, such as conductive metal, and the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> include cylindrical bodies as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The first housing portion <NUM> is shaped to include a cylindrical shape portion 11a with a constant outer diameter and a tapered portion 11b formed in a tapered shape gradually becoming narrower toward the pen tip side as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The second housing portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM>.

The cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is made of an insulating material, a resin in the example, and is a cylindrical body as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. At a position close to the center of a peripheral surface in the axial direction, a ring-shaped flange portion 13F protruding in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction from the peripheral side surface is formed. The ring-shaped flange portion 13F has a predetermined width W (see <FIG> and <FIG>) in the axial direction. An end surface of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F is flush with the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> without a difference in level and is part of the housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the diameter of the peripheral portion of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F is selected to be equal to the outer diameter of the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, the pen tip side that is one side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped flange portion 13F is a first fitting cylindrical portion 13a fitted to the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM>. The outer diameter of the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM>. The cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM> is press-fitted, and coupled to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, up to the location of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F.

In addition, the back end side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped flange portion 13F is a second fitting cylindrical portion 13b fitted to the second housing portion <NUM>. The outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second housing portion <NUM>. The second housing portion <NUM> is press-fitted, and coupled to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, up to the location of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F.

The first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> are inserted, fitted, and coupled to the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> as indicated by arrows in <FIG>, and in this state, the housing <NUM> as one cylindrical body is formed as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, as described above, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM>, the peripheral surface of the second housing portion <NUM>, and the end surface of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F are flush with each other. Furthermore, the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> made of a conductive material are not in contact with each other and are electrically separated (insulated) from each other due to the existence of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>.

A front cap <NUM> made of an insulating material, such as a resin, is provided at an opening 11c (see <FIG>) on the pen tip side of the first housing portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The opening 10a with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the core body <NUM> is formed on the front cap <NUM>. The core body <NUM> is inserted into the housing <NUM> of the electronic pen <NUM> through the opening 10a of the front cap <NUM>. The core body <NUM> and the first housing portion <NUM> made of a conductive material are electrically separated (insulated) by the front cap <NUM> as an insulating material as illustrated in <FIG>. In the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment, the first housing portion <NUM> is provided to cover the back end side of the core body <NUM> with respect to the tip portion 21a as illustrated in <FIG>, and the first housing portion <NUM> provides a peripheral electrode.

A board holder <NUM> provided with a printed board <NUM> mounted on a board mounting table portion <NUM> and a battery <NUM> as a power supply are housed in a hollow portion of the second housing portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The battery <NUM> may be a primary battery or may be a secondary battery (rechargeable battery). The back end side of the second housing portion <NUM> is blocked by a back cap <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The board holder <NUM> is made of an insulating resin, and the board holder <NUM> includes a pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> on the opposite side of the board mounting table portion <NUM> side in the longitudinal direction that is the axial direction of the electronic pen <NUM>. When the board holder <NUM> is housed in the hollow portion of the housing <NUM>, the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> and the board mounting table portion <NUM> are continuous in the longitudinal direction that is the axial direction of the electronic pen <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape including a hollow portion that houses pressure sensing components <NUM> (a plurality of components for pen pressure detection) in a hollow portion inside. The board mounting table portion <NUM> has a boat-like shape that mounts and holds the printed board <NUM> and has a shape as if a cylindrical body is cut in substantially half in the axial direction.

The board holder <NUM> is housed in the housing <NUM> such that the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> is on the core body <NUM> side. Furthermore, a core body holder <NUM> that holds the core body <NUM> is coupled to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>, and the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body <NUM> is transmitted to the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>.

The outer diameter of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is selected to be equal to or a little smaller than the outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the embodiment. Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, part of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is fitted to part of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> to thereby couple the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> is fitted and coupled to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the axial direction to regulate the position of the board holder <NUM> to prevent the board holder <NUM> from moving in the axial direction in the housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, although not illustrated, both ends of the battery <NUM> arranged on the opposite side of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> on the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> are electrically connected to a power line and a copper foil pattern of an earth line of the printed board <NUM>. In this way, the voltage of the battery <NUM> is supplied as a power supply voltage to the circuit formed on the printed board <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the second housing portion <NUM> made of a conductive material is electrically connected to the copper foil pattern of the earth line of the printed board <NUM>.

In the embodiment, a peripheral circuit unit is provided on the printed board <NUM>, the peripheral circuit unit including an IC (Integrate Circuit) <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) including a signal generation circuit that generates a signal to be transmitted from the core body <NUM> and a control circuit that controls the transmission of the signal from the signal generation circuit to the core body <NUM>, and peripheral circuit components of the IC <NUM>. Although not illustrated, the peripheral circuit unit includes a push switch (side switch) and a charging circuit of the battery <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the core body <NUM> is fitted to the core body holder <NUM> made of a conductive material through a conductive elastic member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and the core body <NUM> is coupled to and held by the core body holder <NUM>. Furthermore, the core body holder <NUM> is fitted to a holding member <NUM> described later of the pressure sensing components <NUM> in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>, and the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the core body <NUM> is transmitted to the pressure sensing components <NUM>. In this case, a coil spring <NUM> as an example of an elastic member made of a conductive material, such as conductive metal, provided between the core body holder <NUM> and the board holder <NUM> always biases the core body holder <NUM> toward the core body <NUM> with respect to the board holder <NUM>. Note that the coil spring <NUM> provides, along with a conductor terminal member <NUM> described later, an electrical connection member for transmitting the signal from the IC <NUM> arranged on the printed board <NUM> to the core body <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the part of the core body <NUM>, the conductive elastic member <NUM>, the core body holder <NUM>, the coil spring <NUM>, and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>.

The conductive elastic member <NUM> is made of, for example, conductive rubber and is formed in a cylindrical shape including a through hole 22a to which an end portion of the core body <NUM> on the opposite side of the tip portion 21a is fitted. The core body <NUM> side of the conductive elastic member <NUM> includes a thin portion with the outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the other parts, and slits <NUM> are formed to provide a grip portion <NUM> that facilitates gripping the core body <NUM>.

According to the configuration, an arc-shaped part of the grip portion <NUM> including two thin portions provided with the slit portions <NUM> is used to grip the core body <NUM>. Therefore, the core body <NUM> can be easily inserted and fitted to the grip portion <NUM> of the conductive elastic member <NUM> and can be pulled by predetermined force to easily pull out the core body <NUM> from the conductive elastic member <NUM>.

The core body holder <NUM> is made of, for example, a conductive material, such as SUS (Steel Special Use Stainless), and a house fitting portion <NUM> including a recess hole 231a for housing and fitting the conductive elastic member <NUM> and a rod-like portion <NUM> fitted to the holding member <NUM> described later of the pressure sensing components <NUM> are integrated to form the core body holder <NUM>.

After the conductive coil spring <NUM> is installed on the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> housing the conductive elastic member <NUM> as described above, the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> is fitted to the holding member <NUM> of the pressure sensing components <NUM> in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>.

In this case, the transmission signal generated by the circuit provided on the printed board <NUM> needs to be supplied to the core body <NUM>, and this needs to be taken into account in the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment. However, the board holder <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> of the pressure sensing components <NUM> housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> are made of a resin that is an insulating material, and the core body holder <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> cannot be electrically connected.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the coil spring <NUM> made of a conductive material provided between the core body holder <NUM> and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and the conductor terminal member <NUM> provided in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> provide electrical connection members, and the electrical connection members realize the electrical connection for supplying the signal from the signal transmission circuit of the printed board <NUM>.

That is, in the embodiment, the conductor terminal member <NUM> made of a conductive material, such as SUS, is installed on the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> so as to cover an opening portion 302a side, into which the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> is inserted, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The conductor terminal member <NUM> includes, as illustrated in <FIG>, an abutment plate portion <NUM> that covers the opening portion 302a side of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and that includes a through hole 251a into which the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> is inserted, and attachment plate portions <NUM> and <NUM> orthogonal to the abutment plate portion <NUM> and facing each other.

In addition, an extension portion <NUM> extending to the part of the board mounting table portion <NUM> across the part of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is provided. A terminal portion 254a that is, for example, soldered to the back side of the printed board <NUM> is formed on a tip portion of the extension portion <NUM> in the example.

Furthermore, in the state in which the conductor terminal member <NUM> is installed on the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>, the terminal portion 254a at the front end of the extension portion <NUM> extending from the conductor terminal member <NUM> is abutted to a conductor on the back surface side of the printed board <NUM> mounted on the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and is, for example, soldered as illustrated in <FIG>. In this way, the conductor terminal member <NUM> and the signal generation circuit formed on the front surface of the printed board <NUM> are electrically connected.

Furthermore, as described above, in the state in which the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> provided with the conductive elastic member <NUM> is put through the coil spring <NUM>, the rod-like portion <NUM> is inserted into the hollow portion of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> through the through hole 251a of the abutment plate portion <NUM> of the conductor terminal member <NUM> and fitted to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>. The inner diameter of the coil spring <NUM> is larger than the external shape of the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM>.

Therefore, the coil spring <NUM> elastically comes into contact with the core body holder <NUM> and abuts and elastically comes into contact with the abutment plate portion <NUM> of the conductor terminal member <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> is made of a conductive material, and the conductive elastic member <NUM> and the core body holder <NUM> are conductive. Therefore, the conductive elastic member <NUM> fitted to the core body holder <NUM> through the coil spring <NUM> and the conductor terminal member <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit unit of the printed board <NUM>.

Furthermore, as described above, the core body <NUM> is inserted and fitted to the through hole 22a of the conductive elastic member <NUM> fitted to the core body holder <NUM> housed in the housing <NUM> as described above, and the core body <NUM> is held with respect to the core body holder <NUM> through the conductive elastic member <NUM>. In this state, the core body <NUM> is electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit of the printed board <NUM>, and the signal from the signal transmission circuit is supplied to the core body <NUM>.

Next, the configuration of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and the pressure sensing components <NUM> as well as the fitting of the holding member <NUM> of the pressure sensing components <NUM> and the core body holder <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the pressure sensing components <NUM> housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>. The pressure sensing components <NUM> are housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and are provided as illustrated in <FIG> to provide a pen pressure detection module. Furthermore, the core body <NUM> is coupled to the pen pressure detection module through the core body holder <NUM>, and the pen pressure applied to the tip portion 21a of the core body <NUM> is detected by the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pen pressure detection module. In this case, part of the pressure sensing components <NUM> included in the pen pressure detection module moves in the axial direction along with the core body <NUM> and the core body holder <NUM> according to the pen pressure applied to the tip portion 21a of the core body <NUM>, and the pen pressure detection module detects the pen pressure.

A variable capacitor is used in the case of the pen pressure detection unit of the example, in which the capacitance changes according to the pen pressure applied to the core body <NUM>.

The pressure sensing components <NUM> of the example include a plurality of components including a dielectric <NUM>, a terminal member <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, a conductive member <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM> as illustrated in FIG. The terminal member <NUM> is made of a conductive material, such as SUS, and provides the first electrode of the variable capacitor including the pressure sensing components <NUM>. In addition, the conductive member <NUM> is made of, for example, conductive rubber, and the elastic member includes a coil spring made of a conductive material, such as SUS. The conductive member <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> are electrically connected to provide the second electrode of the variable capacitor.

The pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> includes a cylindrical body including a hollow portion as illustrated in FIG. 4A, and the pressure sensing components <NUM> are lined up and housed in the axial direction in the hollow portion.

Among the pressure sensing components <NUM> including the plurality of components, the dielectric <NUM> and the terminal member <NUM> that are components not moved in the axial direction in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> including the cylindrical body are inserted from a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the printed board <NUM> orthogonal to the axial direction of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> through an opening portion <NUM> including an opening in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction formed on part of the side peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> as illustrated in FIG. 4A, and the dielectric <NUM> and the terminal member <NUM> are housed as illustrated in <FIG>.

A wall portion <NUM> is provided at a boundary of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> and the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>, and the terminal member <NUM> is pressed against the wall portion <NUM>.

The dielectric <NUM> includes a plate-like body with a predetermined thickness, and the dielectric <NUM> in contact with the terminal member <NUM> is housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>. Therefore, the dielectric <NUM> does not move toward the terminal member <NUM> in the axial direction in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>.

The terminal member <NUM> that plays a role of the first electrode of the variable capacitor includes a lead portion 52c. When the lead portion 52c is housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>, the lead portion 52c is soldered and connected to a land portion (not illustrated) on the board surface of the printed board <NUM> mounted on the board mounting table portion <NUM> across the wall portion <NUM>.

Note that the terminal member <NUM> includes an L-shaped projection 52d for holding a side surface portion on the opening portion <NUM> side of the dielectric <NUM> when the dielectric <NUM> and the terminal member <NUM> are housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>.

The holding member <NUM> is made of a non-conductive material, a resin as an insulating material in the example. As illustrated in <FIG>, the holding member <NUM> includes a columnar shape portion 53a provided with a recess hole 53b in which the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> is pressed and fitted, on a side that is the core body <NUM> side in the axial direction of the holding member <NUM>, and a ring-shaped projection portion 53c provided with a recess hole 53d for fitting the conductive member <NUM>, on the opposite side of the recess hole 53b side in the axial direction.

The columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM> is provided with a slit 53e in the axial direction of the recess hole 53b with the intention to assist the ease of pressing and fitting the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> into the recess hole 53b. The columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM> includes the slit 53e, thereby providing a grip portion corresponding to the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM>, and the holding member <NUM> surely grips and holds the core body holder <NUM>. That is, the columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM> provides a core body holder holding portion.

In addition, the ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM> also includes a slit 53f communicating across the recess hole 53d. The conductive member <NUM> is surely gripped by the ring-shaped projection portion 53c and held by the holding member <NUM> due to the existence of the slit 53f.

In addition, opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> communicating with the recess hole 53b are formed on a side surface portion of the columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM>, the opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> facing each other across a cylinder central axis position. In addition, engagement projection portions 53i and 53j are formed on a peripheral surface of the columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM>.

On the other hand, stage portions 232b and 232c engaged with the opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> are formed near a tip portion 232a of the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. When the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> is pressed and fitted to the recess hole 53b of the holding member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the stage portions 232b and 232c are abutted against wall portions of the opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> and engaged to prevent the rod-like portion <NUM> from falling out to the core body <NUM> side.

The conductive member <NUM> includes a conductive elastic member that can be elastically deformed and is made of, for example, silicone conductive rubber or pressure conductive rubber. The conductive member <NUM> includes a projection portion 54a fitted to the recess hole 53d of the ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM>.

In addition, the elastic member <NUM> includes, for example, a conductive coil spring. The elastic member <NUM> includes an elastic winding portion 55a, a terminal piece 55b at one end portion of the winding portion 55a, and a connection portion 55c at another end portion of the winding portion 55a.

The ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM> is housed in the winding portion 55a of the elastic member <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM> is assembled in the axial direction of the holding member <NUM>. Furthermore, the projection portion 54a of the conductive member <NUM> is fitted to the recess hole 53d of the ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM>. In this case, the connection portion 55c of the elastic member <NUM> is inserted into a bottom portion of the recess hole 53d formed on the ring-shaped projection portion 53c from a slit portion of the ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM>. Therefore, when a small diameter portion 54b of the conductive member <NUM> is pressed and fitted to the ring-shaped projection portion 53c of the holding member <NUM>, an end surface of the small diameter portion 54b of the conductive member <NUM> is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the connection portion 55c of the conductive elastic member <NUM>.

Furthermore, when the terminal piece 55b of the elastic member <NUM> is inserted into the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>, the terminal piece 55b is soldered and connected to the conductive pattern on the board surface of the printed board <NUM> mounted on the board mounting table portion <NUM> across the dielectric <NUM>, the terminal member <NUM>, and the wall portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, the combination of the conductive member <NUM> with the holding member <NUM> in the axial direction through the elastic member <NUM> is inserted into the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> from the opening portion 302a side. Furthermore, the engagement projection portions 53i and 53j formed on the side peripheral surface of the columnar shape portion 53a of the holding member <NUM> are engaged with an engagement stage portion (see <FIG>) formed on the side peripheral surface of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> to prevent the holding member <NUM> from falling out to the core body <NUM> side from the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>. However, when the pen pressure is applied from the core body <NUM> side, the holding member <NUM> can move in the hollow portion of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>, toward the opposite side of the core body <NUM> in the axial direction. Furthermore, when the pen pressure is not applied from the core body <NUM> side any more due to the elastic biasing force of the elastic member <NUM>, the engagement projection portions 53i and 53j return to the state of being engaged with the engagement stage portion of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>.

After the pressure sensing components <NUM> are housed in the cylindrical body of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> in this way, the conductor terminal member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is elastically installed on the end surface of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> on the opening 302a side as described above. Subsequently, as described above, the rod-like portion <NUM> of the core body holder <NUM> provided with the conductive elastic member <NUM> is inserted into the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> through the through hole 251a of the abutment plate portion <NUM> of the conductor terminal member <NUM> and is fitted to the holding member <NUM>. In this way, the core body holder <NUM> is held with respect to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>.

Furthermore, while the core body holder <NUM> is fitted to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> in this way, the core body <NUM> is pressed into the through hole 22a of the conductive elastic member <NUM> fitted to the core body holder <NUM>. As a result, the core body <NUM> is firmly held by the conductive elastic member <NUM> with respect to the core body holder <NUM> as described above.

In this case, all of the core body <NUM>, the conductive elastic member <NUM>, and the core body holder <NUM> are conductive, and therefore, the core body <NUM> and the signal transmission circuit of the printed board <NUM> are electrically connected through the conductive coil spring <NUM> and conductor terminal member <NUM> (see dotted line in <FIG>). Therefore, the signal from the signal transmission circuit of the printed board <NUM> is transmitted from the core body <NUM>.

Note that the core body <NUM> fitted and held by the core body holder <NUM> can be pulled out in the direction of the tip portion 21a. Therefore, the core body <NUM> can be replaced as described above.

When the pressure is applied to the tip portion 21a of the core body <NUM> in the electronic pen <NUM>, the core body <NUM> is displaced toward the back end in the axial direction according to the pressure. Due to the displacement of the core body <NUM>, the holding member <NUM> in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> is displaced toward the dielectric <NUM> against the elastic biasing force of the elastic member <NUM>. As a result, the conductive member <NUM> fitted to the holding member <NUM> is displaced toward the dielectric <NUM>, and the distance between the conductive member <NUM> and the dielectric <NUM> and the contact area of the conductive member <NUM> and the dielectric <NUM> change according to the pressure applied to the core body <NUM>.

In this way, the capacitance of the variable capacitor formed between the terminal member <NUM> included in the first electrode and the conductive member <NUM> included in the second electrode changes according to the pressure applied to the core body <NUM>. The change in the capacitance of the variable capacitor is detected by the IC <NUM> provided on the printed board <NUM>, and the pen pressure is detected.

Next, the electrical connection of the first housing portion <NUM> included in the peripheral electrode and the circuit unit of the printed board <NUM> will be described.

Here, <FIG> illustrates the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> when the board holder <NUM> is viewed from the opposite side of the board mounting table portion <NUM> and further illustrates the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a recess groove 13c is formed on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the direction along the axial direction of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, from the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a, below the lower part of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F, and across a second fitting cylindrical portion 13b. In this case, the recess groove 13c is formed throughout the entire axial direction in the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b.

Furthermore, a recess groove <NUM> continuous with the recess groove 13c of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b when coupled is also formed on the peripheral surface of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> coupled to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. The recess groove <NUM> is extended to the position of the board mounting table portion <NUM> and formed throughout the entire peripheral surface of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> in the axial direction. Furthermore, a cut-out portion <NUM> is formed on the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, such that a back surface <NUM>1b side of the placed printed board <NUM> is visible from the cut-out portion <NUM> side.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, a connection terminal conductor <NUM> made of a conductor material, conductor metal in the example, is arranged in the recess groove 13c and the recess groove <NUM>. In this case, as also illustrated in <FIG>, at least part of an end portion 16a of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> arranged in the recess groove 13c on the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is arranged to protrude a little more than the peripheral surface of the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a. However, the depth of the recess groove 13c of the part of the end portion 16a is set to a depth that allows to elastically press the end portion 16a downward when the end portion 16a is pressed from above.

In this way, when the first housing portion <NUM> is fitted to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, the end portion 16a of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> and the inner wall of the first housing portion <NUM> are surely brought into contact with each other, and the first housing portion <NUM> and the connection terminal conductor <NUM> are electrically connected.

On the other hand, the depth of the part of the recess groove 13c provided on the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is deep, and the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> arranged in the recess groove 13c is at a position lower than the peripheral surface position of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b.

The depth of the recess groove <NUM> provided on the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is also similarly deep, and the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> arranged in the recess groove <NUM> is at a position lower than the peripheral surface position of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM>.

In this way, when the second housing portion <NUM> housing the board holder <NUM> inside is fitted to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, there is an air layer between the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> in the recess groove 13c and the recess groove <NUM> and the inner wall surface of the second housing portion <NUM>, and electrical separation (insulation) of the upper surface and the inner wall surface is realized.

Furthermore, the end portion 16b extending toward the printed board <NUM> of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> is bent at the location of the cut-out portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> and electrically connected to the back surface 31b side of the printed board <NUM>. Although not illustrated, the end portion 16b of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit unit on the front side of the printed board <NUM> through a through hole.

Note that instead of adjusting the depth of the recess groove 13c and the recess groove <NUM>, the thickness of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> may be changed. In this way, the end portion 16a may protrude slightly more than the peripheral surface of the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a, and there may be a space between the connection terminal conductor <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> in the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> to realize the insulation of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>. Note that the upper surface of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> of the recess groove 13c may be covered by an insulating layer in the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> to more surely realize the insulation of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>.

The assembly of the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment configured in this way will be described. First, the printed board <NUM> provided with the circuit components in advance is mounted and fitted on the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>. Next, the pressure sensing components <NUM> included in the pen pressure detection unit are housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>.

Next, as described above, the conductor terminal member <NUM> is attached to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> such that the abutment plate portion <NUM> blocks the opening portion 302a side of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>. Furthermore, the terminal portion 254a at the front end of the extension portion <NUM> of the conductor terminal member <NUM> is soldered to the back surface 31b of the printed board <NUM> and electrically connected to the circuit unit on a front surface 31a side of the printed board <NUM> through the through hole.

Next, the core body holder <NUM> provided with the coil spring <NUM> at the part of the rod-like portion <NUM> is inserted into the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> from the opening portion 302a, with the coil spring <NUM> held between the core body holder <NUM> and the abutment plate portion <NUM> of the conductor terminal member <NUM>, so that the core body holder <NUM> is held by the holding member <NUM>.

Next, the core body holder <NUM> is housed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, and the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> are coupled. Furthermore, the connection terminal conductor <NUM> is arranged in the recess groove 13c of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the recess groove <NUM> of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> in the state as described above, and the end portion 16b of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> closer to the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is soldered to the back surface <NUM>1b of the printed board <NUM> and electrically connected to the circuit unit on the front surface 31a side of the printed board <NUM> through the through hole.

Next, the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM> provided with the front cap <NUM> at the opening 11c is fitted to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. In this case, the cylindrical shape portion 11a of the first housing portion <NUM> is pushed up to the location of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F and fitted to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. As a result, the first housing portion <NUM> is pressed against and electrically connected to the end portion 16a of the connection terminal conductor <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the first housing portion <NUM> is fitted to the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> so that the first housing portion <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit unit of the printed board <NUM> through the connection terminal conductor <NUM>.

Next, the second housing portion <NUM> is fitted to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, with the board holder <NUM> housed in the hollow portion of the second housing portion <NUM>. In this case, the second housing portion <NUM> is also pushed up to the location of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F and fitted to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>. Note that although not illustrated here, the second housing portion <NUM> housing the board holder <NUM> and fitted to the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is electrically connected to the earth conductor of the printed board <NUM>.

Subsequently, the battery <NUM> is inserted and fixed in the hollow portion of the second housing portion <NUM>, on the back end side of the board mounting table portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> in the axial direction. Furthermore, the opening of the second housing portion <NUM> on the back end side is blocked by the back cap <NUM>.

Lastly, the core body <NUM> is inserted through the opening 10a of the front cap <NUM> installed on the first housing portion <NUM> and is fitted to and held by the conductive elastic member <NUM> held by the core body holder <NUM>. This completes the electronic pen <NUM>.

In this case, the length of the first housing portion <NUM> in the axial direction, the length of the front cap <NUM> in the axial direction, and the length of the core body <NUM> are selected so that a length L1 (see <FIG>) from the tip portion 21a of the core body <NUM> to the side of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> coupled to the first housing portion <NUM> is a length that prevents fingers from coming into contact when the user uses a hand to grip and use the electronic pen <NUM>. The length of the tip portion 21a protruding outside from the opening of the front cap <NUM> mainly affects the length L1, and this is taken into account to select the length of the core body <NUM>. Meanwhile, the length L1 can be set to <NUM> to <NUM> to provide the length that prevents the fingers of the user from coming into contact.

<FIG> illustrates an electrical configuration example of the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the control circuit <NUM> includes an IC <NUM> mounted on the printed board <NUM>. Furthermore, a signal transmission circuit <NUM> and a reception circuit <NUM> are connected to the control circuit <NUM>, and a variable capacitor 5C including the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pen pressure detection unit is connected to the control circuit <NUM>. A resistance 5R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor 5C.

Furthermore, a signal output end of the signal transmission circuit <NUM> is connected to the core body <NUM> through the conductor terminal member <NUM>, the core body holder <NUM>, and the conductive elastic member <NUM>. In addition, the first housing portion <NUM> (peripheral electrode) arranged to cover around the core body <NUM> is connected to an input end of the reception circuit <NUM> through the connection terminal conductor <NUM>.

Furthermore, the power supply voltage from the battery <NUM> is supplied to each of the IC <NUM>, the signal transmission circuit <NUM>, and the reception circuit <NUM>.

The reception circuit <NUM> receives a signal received by the peripheral electrode including the first housing portion <NUM> through capacitive coupling (electric field coupling) with the position detection sensor of the position detection apparatus. The reception circuit <NUM> executes a process, such as demodulation, according to the received signal and transmits a signal of the processing result to the control circuit <NUM>.

The control circuit <NUM> analyzes the signal from the reception circuit <NUM> to determine the specifications of the position detection apparatus of the partner. Furthermore, the control circuit <NUM> controls the format of the signal to be output from the signal transmission circuit <NUM> based on the determination result so that the format matches the specifications of the position detection apparatus of the partner.

The signal transmission circuit <NUM> basically outputs, under the control of the control circuit <NUM>, a signal including a position detection signal (burst signal) for the position detection in the position detection apparatus and including pen pressure information detected by the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pen pressure detection unit. That is, the signal transmission circuit <NUM> transmits a burst signal for the position detection under the control of the control circuit <NUM>. Furthermore, in a period in which the burst signal is transmitted from the signal transmission circuit <NUM>, the control circuit <NUM> executes an operation of detecting the pen pressure based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor 5C including the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pen pressure detection unit.

In the example, the control circuit <NUM> first charges the variable capacitor 5C to a fully charged state and then stops charging to discharge the variable capacitor 5C through the resistance 5R. Furthermore, the control circuit <NUM> measures the time period from the start of the discharge to the time that the voltage at both ends of the variable capacitor 5C becomes a predetermined voltage set in advance and detects the capacitance of the variable capacitor 5C at that time based on the time period. The capacitance of the variable capacitor 5C corresponds to the pen pressure applied to the core body <NUM> at that time, and the pen pressure is detected based on the detected capacitance.

Furthermore, the control circuit <NUM> controls the signal transmission circuit <NUM> to transmit, from the core body <NUM>, pen pressure information including, for example, an encoded signal corresponding to the detected pen pressure after the end of the transmission period of the burst signal. The control circuit <NUM> further controls generation of a signal according to the determined specifications of the position detection apparatus of the partner, such as transmission of identification information of the electronic pen <NUM> and transmission of information of the remaining capacity of the battery <NUM>.

Note that the circuit configurations of the position detection apparatus and the position detection sensor can be well-known circuit configurations, and configuration examples of the circuit configurations will not be described here.

As described above, the housing <NUM> is separated into the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> in the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment, and the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> are fitted to one side and the other side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the axial direction, respectively, to form the housing <NUM>. Furthermore, the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is coupled to the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> in the embodiment. The pressure sensing components <NUM> of the components included in the pen pressure detection unit (the pressure sensing components <NUM> and the core body holder <NUM> as a pressure transmission member) are housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM>, and the core body holder <NUM> as a pressure transmission member is housed in the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>.

Therefore, compared to the configuration of the pen pressure detection unit in the conventional electronic pen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is used as a housing that houses the core body holder <NUM> included in the pressure transmission member in the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment. Therefore, the housing <NUM> in the electronic pen <NUM> housed in the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> is unnecessary, and this reduces the thickness.

Furthermore, in the conventional electronic pen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the front cap <NUM> as an insulating material is placed between the housing <NUM> and the peripheral electrode <NUM> in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the electronic pen <NUM>. On the other hand, in the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment, the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> is placed in the axial direction to realize the electrical separation (insulation) of the first housing portion <NUM> included in the peripheral electrode and the second housing portion <NUM>. The first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> can be lined up in the axial direction, and the thickness can be reduced.

Furthermore, the electrical separation (insulation) of the first housing portion <NUM> as a peripheral electrode and the core body <NUM> is realized by only providing the front cap <NUM> in a simple cylindrical shape on the opening 11c side of the first housing portion <NUM>. This is advantageous in that the front cap <NUM> with a special shape in the conventional electronic pen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is unnecessary.

In the embodiment as described above, the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the first housing portion <NUM> are pressed, fitted, and coupled, and the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> are pressed, fitted, and coupled to thereby provide the housing <NUM>. However, the components may be screwed with each other, instead of the pressing and fitting. In addition, a ring-shaped projection portion may be provided on one of the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the first housing portion <NUM> or on one of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>, and a corresponding ring-shaped recess portion may be provided on the other. In this way, the ring-shaped projection portion and the ring-shaped recess portion can be used to engage and fit the components with a click sound.

In addition, the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the first housing portion <NUM> may be fitted by screwing, and the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> may be fitted by pressing or by engagement with a click sound. Conversely, the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM> may be fitted by screwing, and the first fitting cylindrical portion 13a of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the first housing portion <NUM> may be fitted by pressing or by engagement with a click sound.

Furthermore, in the embodiment as described above, the outer diameter of the end surface of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, the outer diameter of the first housing portion <NUM>, and the outer diameter of the second housing portion <NUM> are all the same, and the housing <NUM> has a shape without recess and projection areas in the axial direction. However, the outer diameter of the end surface of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, the outer diameter of the first housing portion <NUM>, and the outer diameter of the second housing portion <NUM> may not be all the same. For example, the outer diameter of the first housing portion <NUM> and the outer diameter of the second housing portion <NUM> may be the same, and the outer diameter of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F may be larger or smaller than that. In this case, the outer diameter of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F is large, and the part is a projection portion in the housing <NUM>. The part serves as a handhold for preventing the fingers from coming into contact with the first housing portion <NUM> side when the user grips the electronic pen to use the electronic pen, and this is convenient.

In addition, the outer diameter of the first housing portion <NUM> and the outer diameter of the second housing portion <NUM> may be different from each other, and the outer diameter of the ring-shaped flange portion 13F may be equal to one of the first housing portion <NUM> and the second housing portion <NUM>. In this case, the difference in level generated on the peripheral surface of the housing <NUM> also serves as a handhold for preventing the fingers from coming into contact with the first housing portion <NUM> side when the user grips the electronic pen to use the electric pen, and this is convenient.

In the embodiment, the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> are partially fitted and coupled. However, the end portion of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> in the axial direction and the end portion of the pressure sensing component holding portion <NUM> of the board holder <NUM> in the axial direction may be simply abutted against each other.

In addition, the holding portion of the pressure sensing components <NUM> of the pen pressure detection unit may be integrated with the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b side of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM>, instead of integrating the holding portion with the board holder <NUM>.

In addition, the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> and the board holder <NUM> may be integrated. In this case, the outer diameter of the part of the board holder <NUM> can be smaller than the outer diameter of the second fitting cylindrical portion 13b of the cylindrical coupling member <NUM> to facilitate the housing in the second housing portion <NUM>.

Note that, although not only the first housing portion <NUM>, but also the second housing portion <NUM> is made of a conductive material in the embodiment as described above, the second housing portion <NUM> may not be made of a conductive material, and the second housing portion <NUM> may be made of an insulating material, such as a resin.

Note that, although the first housing portion <NUM> included in the peripheral electrode is dedicated to the signal reception in the electronic pen described in the embodiment as described above, the first housing portion <NUM> may transmit a signal in the electronic pen.

For example, when the electronic pen is in the air (generally-called hover state) without coming into contact with the input surface of the position detection sensor, the signal can be transmitted from not only the core body <NUM>, but also from the first housing portion <NUM> as a peripheral electrode, or the signal may be transmitted from the first housing portion <NUM> instead of the signal transmission from the core body <NUM>. In this way, the position detection sensor can easily detect an approximate position of the electronic pen in the hover state.

Furthermore, as in the electronic pen of Patent Document <NUM> as described above, the signal can be transmitted from the first housing portion <NUM> as a peripheral electrode to allow the position detection apparatus to detect the tilt of the electronic pen.

Note that, although the core body <NUM> only transmits a signal to the position detection sensor in the electronic pen <NUM> of the embodiment as described above, the core body <NUM> can transmit a signal to the position detection sensor and receive a signal from the position detection sensor in time division in the electronic pen.

In addition, although the signals are transmitted and received only between the core body <NUM> and the position detection sensor of the position detection apparatus or between the first housing portion <NUM> and the position detection sensor of the position detection apparatus in the electronic pen of the embodiment as described above, the electronic pen may use wireless communication means of, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard to transmit and receive signals to and from the position detection apparatus through wireless communication.

Note that, although the dielectric <NUM> is placed between the terminal member <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM> in the pressure sensing components of the pen pressure detection unit to provide the variable capacitor in the embodiment as described above, a semiconductor element as a variable capacitor including an MEMS (Micro Elector Mechanical Systems) element may also be used, in which the capacitance is variable according to the pen pressure, as disclosed in, for example, <CIT>.

In addition, although the first housing portion <NUM> includes one conductive member in the embodiment as described above, the first housing portion <NUM> may be divided in the circumferential direction to provide a plurality of conductive members, such as two or three conductive members. Signals may be independently supplied to the plurality of conductive members to transmit the signals to the position detection sensor. In this case, the position detection apparatus can also detect the angle of rotation of the electronic pen.

Claim 1:
A capacitance electronic pen (<NUM>) arranged such that a front end of a core body (<NUM>) made of a conductive material protrudes from one opening side of a hollow portion of a cylindrical housing (<NUM>), the electronic pen (<NUM>) including a plurality of components lined up in an axial direction in the hollow portion, wherein
the electronic pen (<NUM>) includes a cylindrical coupling member (<NUM>) made of an insulating material and configured to house at least part of the plurality of components,
the cylindrical housing (<NUM>) includes a first housing portion (<NUM>) and a second housing portion (<NUM>) separated in the axial direction,
the first housing portion (<NUM>) is made of a conductive material and includes an opening arranged such that the front end of the core body (<NUM>) protrudes outside in a state in which the first housing portion (<NUM>) is electrically separated from the core body (<NUM>), and
a protrusion portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical coupling member (<NUM>) in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction from the peripheral side surface, an end surface of the protrusion portion is part of the cylindrical housing (<NUM>), wherein the first housing portion (<NUM>) and the second housing portion (<NUM>) are separated by the protrusion portion,
wherein the capacitance electronic pen (<NUM>) is characterized in that
one side of the cylindrical coupling member (<NUM>) in the axial direction with respect to the protrusion portion is a first fitting cylindrical portion (13a), which is press-fitted to a cylindrical shape portion (11a) of the first housing portion (<NUM>), another side of the cylindrical coupling member (<NUM>) in the axial direction with respect to the protrusion portion is a second fitting cylindrical portion (13b), which is press-fitted to the second housing portion (<NUM>), wherein a side surface of the first housing portion (<NUM>), a side surface of the second housing portion (<NUM>), and the end surface of the protrusion portion are provided without a difference in level in the axial direction,
wherein the protrusion portion is a ring-shaped flange portion (13F) that electrically insulates the first housing portion (<NUM>) and the second housing portion (<NUM>).