JP2006301941A - Frame structure for pen type input device, frame structure for pen, frame structure for electronic pen and electronic pen - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily improve assembling precision. <P>SOLUTION: A pen core 13 is inserted into a groove part 32 of a frame 30. The hole of a substrate 20 is engaged with an engagement projecting part 37 of the frame 30. An optical module loaded on the substrate 20 is provided with a positioning projecting part, and the positioning projecting part is fit into the positioning recessed part of the frame 30 so that the optical module can be positioned in the frame 30 (pen core 13). A pen pressure sensor part 14 for detecting the pen pressure of the pen core 13 is installed in the groove part 32 of the frame 30. The groove part 32 of the frame 30 is covered with a cover member. An external case is fixed to the frame 30 at a plurality of positions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a frame structure or the like of a pen-type input device for handwritten input that detects, for example, handwritten content and transmits it to a computer device.

In recent years, for example, a pen-type input device has attracted attention as an information input device for a computer device. In this pen-type input device, in addition to the original printing function as a pen, various sensors for reading the printed content and writing pressure, an electronic device for digitally recording the content printed with the pen, various sensors and electronic A device including a circuit board for controlling a device or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). As various sensors provided in the pen-type input device, there are an optical sensor that recognizes address information printed in advance on a sheet, a writing pressure sensor that recognizes writing pressure by pressing a pen core, and the like.
In the conventional pen-type input device, the optical sensor is fixed by an exterior case. The outer case to which the optical sensor is fixed is attached to the pen-type input device main body so as to be wrapped in the shape of the outer case in the pen-type input device main body.
In the conventional pen-type input device, the pen core is fixed using an exterior part at the tip of the pen and a built-in part for fixing the writing pressure sensor. The pen core is covered with a guide pipe so that static electricity is not applied from the pen core to the circuit board.

Special table 2004-527853 gazette

However, in the conventional pen-type input device, as described above, the pen core for actual recording and the optical sensor for recognizing the address information of the paper at the pen tip are fixed separately by the interior and exterior components. Therefore, the reading accuracy of the pen-type input device is affected by the component parts and the assembly accuracy. Further, in fixing the pen-type input device and the exterior case, the pen-type input device generally has a pen-like elongated shape. If the pen-type input device main body that holds the basic elements is simply wrapped in an exterior case as in the prior art, it is difficult to ensure strength against external forces such as pen bending and dropping.
Moreover, there is a concern that static electricity is applied to the metal pen core exposed to the outside of the pen, and the electric charge that has entered the pen interior through the pen core falls on the circuit board and causes a problem. Therefore, it is necessary to cover the pen core with an insulator.

The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily improve the assembly accuracy.
Another object is to make it easy to ensure the strength against external forces.
Another object is to make it possible to easily implement countermeasures against static electricity.

For this purpose, a frame structure of a pen-type input device to which the present invention is applied includes a frame that supports a pen core of a pen, and a base member that has parts that require positioning accuracy with respect to the frame. The component included in the frame includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and positioned with respect to the frame, and the base member is characterized in that the component is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion and is engaged with the frame. is there.
The pen core may further include a holder on which the pen core is detachably mounted, and the frame may be configured to receive the holder. In addition, the frame may be characterized in that a portion for holding the pen core is configured by a groove formed corresponding to the shape of the pen core.

A pen frame structure to which the present invention is applied includes a pen outer case, a frame attached to the outer case and supporting the pen core of the pen, and a base member having components to be positioned with respect to the frame. The component of the base member includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and positioned with respect to the frame, and the component is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion and the base member is engaged with the frame. It is attached to an exterior case.
A cover member removably attached to the frame may be further included, and the pen core supported by the frame may be covered with the frame and the cover member. Further, the first cover member further includes a cover member detachably attached to the frame, a first boss provided on the cover member, and a second boss provided on the frame, the first boss engaging with the first boss. The engagement portion and the second engagement portion that engages with the second boss are provided in the exterior case. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion provided in the outer case can be characterized by being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the outer case. Further, it may further include a boss provided on the frame, and an engaging portion that engages with the boss is provided on the exterior case.

Further, the frame structure of the electronic pen to which the present invention is applied is attached to an outer case of the electronic pen for inputting data to the information processing means, and includes a frame portion that detachably holds the pen core of the electronic pen, and a pen core. A substrate on which the optical module to be positioned is mounted, wherein the optical module is positioned with respect to the pen core and attached to the exterior case in a state of being engaged with the frame portion. To do.
The optical module may further include positioning means for positioning with respect to the pen core held by the frame portion by fitting with the frame portion.

From another point of view, the electronic pen to which the present invention is applied includes an outer case of the electronic pen, a frame attached to the outer case and supporting the pen core of the electronic pen, and parts required for positioning accuracy with respect to the frame. The component mounted on the base member includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and positioned with respect to the frame, and the component is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion. Is attached to the outer case in a state of being engaged with the frame.
A cover member configured to be attachable to the frame is further included, and the pen core held by the frame is covered with the frame and the cover member. In addition, it may further include a holder to which the pen core is detachably mounted, and the frame may be configured to receive the holder. Further, it may further include a boss provided on the frame, and an engaging portion that engages with the boss is provided on the inner surface of the exterior case. Moreover, it can be characterized by further including a writing pressure sensor unit that is provided on the frame and detects the pressure applied to the pen core by the user. The component may be an optical module including a light emitting element and an imaging element.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily improve the assembly accuracy.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the pen body 10 according to the present embodiment, and a frame 30 to be described later is partially omitted for convenience of explanation. The exterior case 11 of the pen body 10 includes a pen core 13 that stores ink ejected from the pen tip 12, and a pen pressure sensor unit that detects a user's writing pressure transmitted through the pen tip 12 and the pen core 13. 14. Further, for example, an optical module (optical sensor, component) 15 for reading a dot pattern provided by Anoto (trademark) is provided. Furthermore, a terminal 16 for supplying power for charging the pen body 10 and communicating with an external computer is provided. The terminal 16 is configured to be connectable to a cap-side terminal (not shown) when the pen body 10 is inserted into a cap (not shown).

  Further, the pen body 10 includes a battery 17 made of, for example, a lithium ion battery, which becomes a power source of the pen body 10 by discharging after charging, and a vibrator 18 that vibrates when the power is turned on, for example. In addition, a strap hole 19 for attaching a strap (not shown) is provided at one end of the pen body 10. Furthermore, a substrate (base member) 20 on which various integrated circuits and electronic components are mounted is provided inside the pen body 10. An optical module 15 is mounted on the substrate 20, and a processor (information processing means) 21 that controls the entire pen body 10; a memory 22 that stores information read by the optical module 15; and Bluetooth (for example) And a wireless communication module 23 for performing wireless communication.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the substrate 20 is engaged with the frame 30 holding the pen core 13. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the substrate 20 and the cover member 40 are engaged with the frame 30 holding the pen core 13. 4 is a perspective view of the frame 30 alone when the frame 30 is viewed from the side opposite to the viewpoint of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the frame 30 is a resin-made longitudinal member (insulating member) configured to be able to support the pen core 13 and to be engageable with the substrate 20. Such a frame 30 includes a head portion 31, a groove portion 32 (see FIG. 2), a holder member regulating piece 33 (see FIG. 2), square bosses 34 and 35, a screw fastening portion 36, an engaging convex portion 37, and a positioning concave portion 38. (See FIG. 4 or FIG. 7).

The head unit 31 is provided at one end of the frame 30 and constitutes an end of the pen body 10 (see FIG. 1) on the pen tip 12 side. Therefore, a through hole (not shown) for exposing the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 supported by the frame 30 to the outside is formed.
The groove 32 shown in FIG. 2 is for receiving the pen core 13 and supporting (holding) the pen core 13 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the pen core 13. 30 extends in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the groove part 32 is formed so that the holder member 14a can be received. The holder member 14a is a member into which an end portion (back end portion) opposite to the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 is detachably inserted (press-fit), and the pen pressure sensor portion 14 together with the sensor element 14b. Is configured. In other words, when the user holds the pen body 10 (see FIG. 1) and writes characters on the dedicated paper, the writing pressure is input from the pen core 13 to the holder member 14a. That is, when the pressure applied to the pen core 13 by the user is transmitted to the holder member 14a, the holder member 14a presses the sensor element 14b. The sensor element 14b detects the pressure (writing pressure) and outputs it to the processor 21 (see FIG. 1).

The holder member regulating piece 33 shown in FIG. 2 regulates the holder member 14a so that the movement amount of the holder member 14a in the longitudinal direction of the frame 30 is within a predetermined range when the holder member 14a is received in the frame 30. To do.
As shown in FIG. 2, the holder member regulating piece 33 extends so as to cross over the groove portion 32. When the pen core 13 is inserted into the holder member 14 a in the groove portion 32, the holder member regulating piece 33 acts so that the pen core 13 and the holder member 14 a do not fall out of the groove portion 32.
Square bosses (second bosses) 34 and 35 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are portions that protrude outward from the frame 30 and have a rectangular cross section. Specifically, the square bosses 34 and 35 are formed to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the frame 30. The corner bosses 34 and 35 engage with engaging portions 11a and 11b (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, of the exterior case 11 when assembling.
The screw fastening portion 36 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is configured by forming a hole at the end opposite to the head portion 31. The screw fastening portion 36 is for fixing together with screws (not shown) together with a mounting portion 11e (see FIG. 5) described later of the outer case 11 when assembling.

The engagement convex part 37 shown in FIGS. 2-4 is a small protrusion-shaped part which protrudes to the side with which the board | substrate 20 engages the frame 30. As shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the engaging projection 37 of the frame 30 engages with a hole (not shown) drilled in the substrate 20. In this state, the substrate 20 is assembled to the exterior case 11 together with the frame 30 (see FIG. 6).
The positioning concave portion 38 shown in FIG. 4 is for receiving a positioning convex portion 15a (see FIG. 7) described later provided in the optical module 15 mounted on the substrate 20. By positioning the positioning concave portion 38 with the positioning convex portion 15a (see FIG. 7) of the optical module 15, the optical module 15 is positioned with respect to the frame 30 or the pen core 13. The term “fitting” as used herein refers to engagement to such an extent that the required positioning accuracy can be ensured, and the positioning projection 15a (see FIG. 7) of the optical module 15 is not necessarily close to the positioning recess 38 of the frame 30. It does not mean that they fit together.

  Here, as described above, the optical module 15 (see FIG. 7) is mounted on the substrate 20 shown in FIGS. The optical module 15 includes a light emitting element (not shown) and an image pickup element (CCD, CMOS sensor) (not shown) that receives the reflected light of the paper. Moreover, the optical module 15 is provided with the positioning convex part 15a (refer FIG. 7) as a positioning part (positioning means). The positioning convex portion 15a (see FIG. 7) penetrates the substrate 20 and protrudes from a surface opposite to the mounting surface of the optical module 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 40 includes an engagement piece 41 that engages with the frame 30. When the engagement piece 41 comes into contact with the frame 30, the engagement piece 41 is detachably attached to the frame 30. The cover member 40 is attached to the frame 30 so as to cover the groove 32 (see FIG. 2) of the frame 30. That is, by attaching the cover member 40 to the frame 30, the periphery of the pen core 13 supported by the frame 30 is covered. Naturally, the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 exposed from the pen body 10 (see FIG. 1) is not covered by the cover member 40.
Further, the cover member 40 includes a locking portion (first boss) 42 that locks with the outer case 11. The locking portion 42 is a small protrusion-shaped portion that protrudes outward. In addition, when the cover member 40 is attached to the frame 30, the locking portion 42 of the cover member 40 extends in the same direction as the corner bosses 34 and 35 of the frame 30. Further, the locking portion 42 of the cover member 40 is located between the corner bosses 34 and 35 of the frame 30.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the exterior case 11 alone viewed from the inner surface side of the exterior case 11 having a two-part structure.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer case 11 includes engagement portions (second engagement portions) 11 a and 11 b on the inner surface thereof. The outer case 11 includes an engagement portion (first engagement portion) 11c formed by cutting out between the engagement portion 11a and the engagement portion 11b. The engaging portions 11a and 11b and the engaging portion 11c are arranged apart from each other.
The outer case 11 includes a claw-shaped snap fit portion 11d that can be locked with the head portion 31 (see FIG. 2 or 3) of the frame 30. Furthermore, the outer case 11 includes a mounting portion 11e fixed with screws (not shown) together with the screw fastening portions 36 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) of the frame 30. In FIG. 5, one outer case 11 having a two-divided structure is illustrated, but the above-described engaging portions 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, snap fit portion 11 d, and attachment portion 11 e are also not shown in the other outer case. I have.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view partially showing a state in which the exterior case 11 is assembled to the frame 30.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the outer case 11 is assembled to the frame 30, the engaging portion 11a of the outer case 11 is engaged with the square boss 34 of the frame 30, and the engaging portion 11b of the outer case 11 is Engage with 30 square bosses 35. Further, the engaging portion 11 c of the outer case 11 engages with the locking portion 42 of the cover member 40. The snap fit portion 11 d of the outer case 11 engages with the head portion 31 of the frame 30. Furthermore, the attachment part 11e of the exterior case 11 is mutually fixed using a screw together with the screw fastening part 36 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) of the frame 30.

In this Embodiment, since the pen main body 10 is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
In other words, the pen core 13 is supported by the frame 30, the optical module 15 is mounted on the substrate 20, and the positioning convex portion 15 a of the optical module 15 is fitted into the positioning concave portion 38 of the frame 30. 30 or the pen core 13 is positioned.
This positioning operation will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the pen core 13 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the pen body 10 and the dedicated paper. As shown in the figure, the pen body 10 is a sensor of the writing pressure sensor unit 14 that the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 is in contact with the dedicated paper on the dedicated paper on which address information (detection marker) is printed in advance. When the processor 21 (see FIG. 1) detects the element 14b (see FIG. 2), the processor 21 recognizes address information in a predetermined range (reading range) of the pen tip 12 based on a signal from the optical module 15. That is, in the pen body 10, the light emitted from the light emitting element (not shown) of the optical module 15 irradiates the dedicated paper, and the address information of the dedicated paper is acquired by the image pickup element (not shown) of the optical module 15, thereby writing pressure sensor unit 14. The content written on the pen core 13 (see FIG. 1 or 2) of the pen body 10 is detected using the detection result from (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the relative positions of the pen core 13 (see FIG. 1 or 2), the optical module 15, and the sensor element 14b (see FIG. 2) of the writing pressure sensor unit 14 affect the reading accuracy. .

Conventionally, the pen core 13 for performing actual recording and the optical module 15 for recognizing the address information of the dedicated paper of the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 are separately fixed by the interior and exterior components. Equipment such as a special jig for securing the structure is required, and it is not easy to realize a reduction in assembly cost.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the pen core 13 and the substrate 20 on which the optical module 15 (see FIG. 7) is mounted are attached to the frame 30, and the optical module 15 (see FIG. 7) is positioned with respect to the frame 30, so that the assembly accuracy can be easily secured. Furthermore, since the pen pressure sensor unit 14 is attached to the frame 30, the number of parts can be reduced. From this point, easy assembling accuracy can be promoted, and cost reduction can be realized. it can. In addition, since the reading range (see FIG. 7) of the address information of the dedicated paper is recognized based on the positional relationship between the pen tip 12 and the optical module 15 (see FIG. 7), the merit of mounting the element parts on one part Can be said to be large.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the internal parts of the pen body 10 are attached to the frame 30 to form one unit, and the exterior case 11 is attached to the unit. For this reason, it can respond also when the exterior case 11 is variously changed in design. Moreover, the unit itself to which the outer case 11 is not attached can be a target of transaction.

In the pen body 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of fixing points used when fixing the frame 30 to the outer case 11 are installed in the frame 30 or the outer case 11. As the fixing points, a total of seven locations including two upper and lower snap fit portions 11d, two left and right corner bosses 34 and 35, and a screw fastening portion 36 are provided in this order from the pen tip 12 side. In addition, since the square bosses 34 and 35 have a rectangular cross section, the strength in the torsional direction can be increased compared to a general round boss. In addition, by fixing the outer case 11 and the frame 30 with screws at one place of the fixing point, it is possible to realize stronger fixing. And, by installing multiple fixing points, it is possible to improve the bending rigidity against the external force of the pen body 10 and prevent deformation, and secure the strength by dispersing the load when receiving impact such as dropping can do.
Further, as another fixing point, a locking portion 42 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the cover member 40 attached to the frame 30. Therefore, further strength can be ensured.

Moreover, in the pen main body 10 of this Embodiment, the pen core 13 hold | maintained at the flame | frame 30 is attached to the position spaced apart from the board | substrate 20 as much as possible. That is, the substrate 20 is disposed at a position opposite to the groove portion 32 of the frame 30. In addition, a configuration in which the groove portion 32 of the frame 30 is covered with the cover member 40 is employed. The frame 30 and the cover member 40 are insulator members.
For this reason, even when static electricity is applied to the pen tip 12 of the pen core 13 and the charge enters the inside of the pen, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the charge falls on the substrate 20 and causes a problem.

  As described above, since the pen body 10 of the present embodiment fixes the pen core 13 and the optical module 15 only by the frame 30, it includes the axial accuracy and optical accuracy of the pen core 13 without affecting the parts and assembly accuracy. The reading accuracy can be secured at the same time. In addition, there is an effect that the strength of the pen itself can be secured by fixing the frame 30 on which the main components are mounted and the outer case 11 at a plurality of points. Further, by covering the pen core 13 with the frame portion (the holder member 14a, the frame 30, and the cover member 40), there is an effect that the static electricity applied to the pen core 13 that is a conductor can be prevented from being applied to the substrate 20. . As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily ensure the reliability, assembling property, and strength of the optical component.

It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the pen main body which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the board | substrate engaged with the flame | frame holding the pen core. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the board | substrate and the cover member engaged with the flame | frame holding the pen core. It is a perspective view at the time of seeing a flame | frame from the opposite side to the viewpoint of FIG. It is the partial perspective view seen from the inner surface side of the exterior case of 2 division structure. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the exterior case to the flame | frame partially. It is explanatory drawing explaining the positional relationship of the pen core of a pen main body, and exclusive paper.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Exterior case, 11a, 11b, 11c ... Engagement part, 11d ... Snap fitting part, 11e ... Attachment part, 13 ... Pen core, 14 ... Pen pressure sensor part, 14a ... Holder member, 14b ... Sensor element, 15 ... Optical module, 15a ... positioning convex part, 20 ... substrate, 30 ... frame, 31 ... head part, 32 ... groove part, 33 ... holder member regulating piece, 34, 35 ... square boss, 36 ... screw fastening part, 37 ... engagement Convex part, 38 ... Positioning concave part, 40 ... Cover member, 41 ... Engagement piece, 42 ... Locking part

Claims (16)

A frame that supports the pen core of the pen;
And a base member having a component that requires positioning accuracy with respect to the frame,
The component of the base member includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and is positioned with respect to the frame, and the base member is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion. A frame structure of a pen-type input device, wherein the pen-type input device is engaged with the frame. A holder to which the pen core is detachably mounted;
The frame structure of the pen-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to receive the holder.   The frame structure of the pen-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a portion that holds the pen core by a groove formed corresponding to the shape of the pen core. A pen outer case,
A frame attached to the exterior case and supporting the pen core of the pen;
A base member having a part to be positioned with respect to the frame;
The component of the base member includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and positioned with respect to the frame,
The pen frame structure, wherein the component is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion and attached to the exterior case in a state where the base member is engaged with the frame. A cover member removably attached to the frame;
The pen frame structure according to claim 4, wherein the pen core supported by the frame is covered with the frame and the cover member. A cover member removably attached to the frame;
A first boss provided on the cover member;
A second boss provided on the frame,
5. The exterior case according to claim 4, wherein a first engagement portion that engages with the first boss and a second engagement portion that engages with the second boss are provided in the exterior case. Pen frame structure.   The pen frame according to claim 6, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion provided in the exterior case are separated from each other in a longitudinal direction of the exterior case. Construction.   5. The pen frame structure according to claim 4, further comprising a boss provided on the frame, wherein an engagement portion that engages with the boss is provided on the exterior case. A frame part that is attached to an exterior case of an electronic pen for inputting data to the information processing means, and holds the pen core of the electronic pen detachably;
A substrate on which an optical module to be positioned with respect to the pen core is mounted,
The electronic pen frame structure, wherein the optical module is positioned with respect to the pen core and attached to the exterior case in a state where the substrate is engaged with the frame portion.   10. The electronic pen according to claim 9, further comprising a positioning unit that is provided in the optical module and is positioned with respect to the pen core held by the frame unit by being fitted to the frame unit. Frame structure. An electronic pen for inputting data into the information processing means,
An exterior case of the electronic pen;
A frame attached to the outer case and supporting a pen core of the electronic pen;
A base member on which a component for which positioning accuracy with respect to the frame is required is mounted,
The component mounted on the base member includes a positioning portion that is fitted to the frame and positioned with respect to the frame,
The electronic pen is attached to the exterior case in a state where the component is positioned with respect to the frame by the positioning portion and the base member is engaged with the frame. A cover member configured to be attachable to the frame;
The electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein the pen core held by the frame is covered with the frame and the cover member. A holder to which the pen core is detachably mounted;
The electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein the frame is configured to receive the holder.   The electronic pen according to claim 11, further comprising a boss provided on the frame, wherein an engaging portion that engages with the boss is provided on an inner surface of the exterior case.   The electronic pen according to claim 11, further comprising a writing pressure sensor unit that is provided on the frame and detects a pressure applied to the pen core by a user.   The electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein the component is an optical module including a light emitting element and an imaging element.

Images