JP2014241070A - Stylus pen and damper spring - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of writing.SOLUTION: A stylus pen includes a pen tip part (pen head 8), a cover member (grip 6) covering the pen tip part, and a conductive member (damper spring 48) which movably supports the pen tip part with a plurality of contact parts (spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3) differing in elasticity, and brings the pen tip part and the cover member into conduction. The conduction between the pen tip part (pen head 8) and the cover member (grip 6) is maintained, and the operability is improved.

Description

The technology of the present disclosure relates to a stylus pen used for touch operation of a touch panel and a damper spring thereof.

  Devices with a touch panel, such as smartphones, have become widespread. A stylus pen is used to operate the touch panel.

Regarding this stylus pen, it is known to operate a capacitive coordinate input pad with a conductive pen tip and a pen body (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, it is known that the nib is provided with conductive fibers (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-10-161895 JP 2010-39610 A

  By the way, if the touch panel is a capacitance type, the stylus pen interposed between the hand and the touch panel needs to be conductive, and the stylus pen is made of resin or rubber having conductivity. Yes.

  However, in order to obtain conductivity with resin or rubber, the pen tip needs to have a certain thickness. A thick nib is inconvenient to write in detail. Since sensitivity cannot be obtained, a deviation occurs between the contact point of the pen tip and the detection point of the touch panel, and the pen touch becomes inaccurate.

  The nib made of a hard material has a hard feel due to the writing pressure. Each time the pen tip is touched on the touch panel, a sound is generated, or the pen operation is uncomfortable.

  When a gap is generated between the pen tip side and a main body side member such as a grip when the pen tip is pressed against the touch panel, there is a problem in operability such that conduction on the pen tip side is impaired by the gap.

In view of the above problems, an object of the technology of the present disclosure is to provide a stylus pen with improved operability.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, a conductive member having a plurality of contact portions having different elasticity is provided between a cover member that covers the pen tip portion and the pen tip portion. The conducting member supports the pen tip portion movably by the contact portion, and conducts the pen tip portion and the cover member.

  According to the technique of the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) The continuity between the pen tip and the cover member is maintained, and operability can be improved.

(2) A plurality of different elasticity is imparted to the pen tip, and a plurality of writing feelings are obtained by each elasticity.

Further, other objects, features, and advantages of the technology of the present disclosure will become clearer with reference to the accompanying drawings and each embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the stylus pen which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of a stylus pen. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a stylus pen. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural member of a stylus pen. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a damper spring. It is a figure which shows the plane and side surface of another damper spring. It is sectional drawing which shows the VII-VII line cross section of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows another damper spring. It is a perspective view which shows another damper spring. It is a top view which shows a stylus pen centering on a pen head. It is a side view which shows the elastic display part of a grip. It is sectional drawing which shows the non-pressurization state of a stylus pen. It is sectional drawing which shows the pressurization state of a stylus pen. It is a figure which shows the elasticity with respect to an angle. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a stylus pen. It is sectional drawing which shows the stylus pen which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the stylus pen which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a damper spring. It is sectional drawing which shows the stylus pen which concerns on other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the stylus pen which concerns on other embodiment.

[First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 shows a stylus pen according to the first embodiment. The stylus pen 2 is used for touch input of a capacitive coordinate input pad, for example. The stylus pen 2 includes a pen body 4, a grip 6, and a pen head 8. The pen body 4 is made of an insulating material, for example. A cap 10 is attached to the end of the pen body 4.

  A grip 6 is fixed to the pen body 4. The grip 6 is an example of a cover member of the pen head 8. A fixing ring 12 is attached to a fixing portion between the grip 6 and the pen body 4. The fixing ring 12 may be a metal or a synthetic resin.

  The grip 6 is hollow and is made of a conductive material such as metal. A pen head 8 is movably attached to the grip 6. The pen head 8 is an example of a pen tip portion and is formed of a conductive material having good conductivity. For example, a metal such as aluminum or a conductive resin having good elasticity and elasticity may be used as the conductive material. As an example, a spherical pen tip 14 is formed at the tip of the pen head 8. The pen tip 14 is exposed from the grip 6.

  FIG. 2 shows a usage state of the stylus pen 2. The stylus pen 2 is used for information input and information selection of an electronic device 18 including a touch panel 16. The touch panel 16 is an example of a capacitive coordinate input pad. The electronic device 18 is an information device such as a smartphone provided with the touch panel 16.

  In the stylus pen 2, for example, the grip 6 is grasped with the hand 20, the pen tip portion 14 is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel 16, and a slide operation is performed while touching. A contact point P of the pen tip 14 of the touch panel 16 is conducted from the pen tip 14 to the hand 20 through the pen head 8 and the grip 6 and is grounded through the conduction circuit 22. Thereby, the coordinate input showing the touch on the touch panel 16 or a slide position can be performed.

  FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the stylus pen 2. FIG. 4 shows the stylus pen 2 disassembled into constituent members.

  The pen body 4 includes a shaft portion 24, and the shaft portion 24 includes a hollow portion 26. The hollow portion 26 reduces the weight of the shaft portion 24. A fixing portion 28 of the cap 10 is attached to the hollow portion 26 at the rear end, and the hollow portion 26 is closed by the cap 10. The cap 10 may be detachable, and the hollow portion 26 may be used for a component storage portion such as the replacement pen head 8.

  The grip 6 is fitted to the base 30 of the pen body 4, and the fixing ring 12 is attached between the end of the grip 6 and the base 30. The fixing ring 12, the grip 6, and the base 30 are fixed by a fixing means such as an adhesive. The base portion 30 is formed with a pen head support portion 32 to be inserted on the grip 6 side. The pen head support portion 32 is smaller in diameter than the hollow portion 34 of the grip 6. A flat support surface 36 is formed at the front end of the pen head support portion 32.

  In the hollow portion 34 of the grip 6, a retaining portion 38 for the pen head 8 is formed. The retaining portion 38 is an annular standing wall portion having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 34.

  A pen tip portion 14 having a spherical surface is provided at the tip of the pen head 8, and a fulcrum portion 40 having a spherical surface is provided at the rear end. The fulcrum portion 40 comes into contact with the support surface 36 of the pen head support portion 32, and the pen head 8 is supported by the pen head support portion 32.

  An annular locking portion 42 is provided at an intermediate portion of the pen head 8. The locking portion 42 is disposed between the pen head support portion 32 of the pen body 4 and the retaining portion 38 of the grip 6, and the retaining portion 42 of the pen head 8 is movably locked to the retaining portion 38. Yes.

  The pen head 8 is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 34 of the grip 6. The tip of the grip 6 exposes the pen tip 14 side of the pen head 8.

  A damper spring 48 is interposed between the inner wall portion of the grip 6 and the pen head 8. The damper spring 48 is an example of a conducting member that establishes conduction between the pen head 8 and the grip 6. Due to the elasticity of the damper spring 48, the pen head 8 is supported by the grip 6 so as to be movable and bendable.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the damper spring 48. The damper spring 48 includes a ring portion 50 and spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3. The ring portion 50 is an annular body formed of a conductive material having elasticity, and is a fitting portion that is fitted to the pen head 8. The ring portion 50 may have an annular shape or a rectangular tube shape such as a triangle or a hexagon.

  The spring arms 52-1, 52-2, and 52-3 are examples of a plurality of contact portions having different elasticity. That is, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 are in contact with the pen head 8 as contact portions. The spring arms 52-1, 52-2, and 52-3 are constituted by two spring arms, or may be constituted by four or more spring arms. As an example, each of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 is arranged radially from the ring portion 50 at a constant angle, for example, every 120 degrees.

  Each spring arm 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 is provided with a fixing portion 54. The fixing portion 54 is attached to the ring portion 50 by adhesion or welding. If the width of each spring arm 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 is W1, W2, W3 and the thickness is t1, t2, t3, then t1 = t2 = t3 and W1> W2> W3 may be satisfied. , W1 = W2 = W3, and t1> t2> t3. Such a width W or thickness t may be varied to change the elasticity depending on the angle. Further, the elasticity may be varied depending on the elastic material.

  Each spring arm 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 may be separate from the ring portion 50, and may be formed integrally with the same material or a different material.

  FIG. 6 shows another damper spring 48. 6A shows the plane of the damper spring 48, and FIG. 6B shows the side surface of the damper spring 48. FIG. In the damper spring 48, the thickness t of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 is set to t1 = t2 = t3, and the widths W are set to W1> W2> W3. By setting the width W to be W1> W2> W3, different elasticity is set.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. Grooves 56-1, 56-2, and 56-3 corresponding to the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, and 52-3 are formed on the inner wall surface of the grip 6. The spring arm 52-1 is fitted into the groove 56-1, the spring arm 52-2 is fitted into the groove 56-2, and the spring arm 52-3 is fitted into the groove 56-3. Thereby, the damper spring 48 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the grip 6. Movement such as rotation of the damper spring 48 can be prevented.

  8 and 9 show another damper spring 48. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the damper spring 48 has the same width W1 = W2 = W3 as the width W of each of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, and is halfway to each root portion on the ring portion 50 side. A circular notch 58 may be formed, and the size of each notch 58 may be different. Thereby, the elasticity of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 may be varied.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 may have a curved shape that can correspond to the inner wall shape of the grip 6.

  FIG. 10A shows the arrangement of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 with the pen head 8 as the center.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 are installed around the pen head 8 around the pen head 8. Thus, the pen head 8 is supported at the center of the grip 6 so as to be movable and bendable by the elasticity of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3. In this case, the elasticity of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 is S1, S2, S3, and S1> S2> S3. That is, in this embodiment, different elasticity S1, S2, and S3 are given for each center angle θ = 120 [°] of the pen head 8. In this case, the elasticity S1 corresponds to the spring arm 52-1 having the width W1, the elasticity S2 corresponds to the spring arm 52-2 having the width W2, and the elasticity S3 corresponds to the spring arm 52-3 having the width W3. That is, when the pen head 8 is bent, the elasticity S1 has the largest load F (FIG. 13), the elasticity S3 has the smallest load F, and the elasticity S2 has the intermediate load F.

  FIG. 10B shows the elastic display portion 60 of the grip 6 with the pen head 8 as the center. FIG. 11 shows the elastic display section 60 from the side surface of the grip 6.

  In this embodiment, for the different elasticity S1, S2, and S3, the elastic display section 60 shows the magnitude of the load F that faces the elasticity S1, S2, and S3. Elastic indications 60-1, 60-2, 60-3 in the elastic indication unit 60 indicate the degree of the load F corresponding to the elasticity S1, S2, S3. Thereby, the user can select desired elasticity S1, S2, S3 by center angle (theta).

  FIG. 12 shows a non-pressurized state of the stylus pen 2 on the touch panel 16. In a non-pressurized state where the pen tip portion 14 of the stylus pen 2 is in contact with the touch panel 16, the pen head 8 is maintained linearly on the central axis O of the grip 6. In this case, the writing pressure is small and the writing feeling is such that the generation of the contact point P is felt.

  FIG. 13 shows a pressure state of the stylus pen 2 on the touch panel 16. When, for example, a load F directed toward the touch panel 16 is applied to the stylus pen 2 from the state shown in FIG. 12, if the load F overcomes the selected elasticity, for example, the elasticity S1, as shown in FIG. The pen head 8 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the load F around the center. By this movement, an interval Δx is generated between the pen head 8 and the grip 6. Thus, the user can feel the writing pressure from the touch panel 16 facing the load F and can feel the contact pressure between the touch panel 16 and the pen tip portion 14. Even if such an interval Δx occurs, the grip 6 and the pen head 8 are electrically connected by the damper spring 48 regardless of the interval Δx, and this conduction is maintained.

  FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the angle θ of the grip 6 and the elasticity S1, S2, and S3. The angle θ is an angle (center angle) around the center axis O of the pen head 8 and the damper spring 48. Regarding the angle θ, the angle θI corresponds to the elasticity display 60-3, the angle θII corresponds to the elasticity display 60-2, and the angle θIII corresponds to the elasticity display 60-1. That is, if the elasticity indications 60-1, 60-2, 60-3 are set on the upper side of the grip 6, the angles θI, θII, θIII corresponding to these are set, and the elasticity S1, S2, S3 can be selected. it can.

  In FIG. 14, 1.0 [N] to 2.0 [N] are clearly shown on the vertical axis as elasticity values. These values are merely examples, and the technology of the present disclosure is included in these values. It is not limited. In addition, the elasticity of the angles θI, θII, and θIII is also a value at a direct angle, and since the manner in which the load F is applied changes near the angles θI, θII, and θIII, the magnitude of the elasticity changes. The change tendency of elasticity is not limited linearly but may be non-linear.

  FIG. 15 shows a modification of the pen head 8. If the pen head 8 is formed using an elastic material having high rigidity, the movement of the pen head 8 depends only on the elasticity of the damper spring 48. On the other hand, a pen head 8 that can be bent by elasticity may be used.

<Effect of the first embodiment>

  (1) The pen head 8 is supported on the grip 6 so as to be movable and bendable by a damper spring 48 having spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 having different elasticity. Thereby, the continuity between the grip 6 and the pen head 8 is maintained by the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, and 52-3. Therefore, the operability of the stylus pen 2 can be improved.

  (2) Since the pen head 8 supported by the grip 6 so as to be movable and bendable by the damper spring 48 hits the grip 6 and is elastically supported by the damper spring 48 when a load F is applied by pressing, the conduction circuit 22 (FIG. It is possible to prevent rattling of the pen head 8 while maintaining the conduction in 2). A stable writing feeling can be obtained.

  (3) A plurality of different elasticity can be set depending on the central angle θ, and different elasticity can be selected with the single stylus pen 2 and the touch sensitivity to the touch panel 16 can be selected.

  (4) Even if a hard material is used for the pen head 8 or the pen tip 14, sensitivity corresponding to writing pressure can be obtained by the elasticity of the damper spring 48.

  (5) A writing feel corresponding to the user's writing pressure and his / her preference can be obtained.

  (6) The degree of elasticity (for example, writing comfort) can be easily determined by holding the stylus pen 2 at any angle. The form of the elastic display unit 60 may be not only the graphic display described above but also coloring, character display, or uneven shape. The desired elasticity (writing comfort) can be obtained by checking the display of the elastic display unit 60 and grasping the stylus pen 2 toward a desired angle.

[Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a stylus pen according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a spring holding part 62 in which the rear side of the pen head 8 is recessed is formed, and a spring 64 is installed in the spring holding part 62. The end of the spring 64 is in contact with the spring base 66 on the pen head support portion 32 side. The spring base 66 is a reinforcing member that covers the pen head support portion 32.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>

  With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in such a configuration, the pen head 8 is elastically supported on the pen head support portion 32 by the spring 64. Accordingly, the elastic support by the damper spring 48 described above is added to the elastic support in the axial direction by the spring 64, and the operability of the stylus pen 2 is further enhanced by the synergistic effect of both elasticity.

[Third Embodiment]

  FIG. 17 shows a cross section of a stylus pen according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a damper spring 48 used in the stylus pen 2.

  In this embodiment, the ring portion 50 of the damper spring 48 has a large diameter, and the ring portion 50 is fixed to the grip 6 side. In this case, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2 and 52-3 protrude from the ring portion 50 toward the pen head 8. In this case, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 are an example of a plurality of contact portions that contact the pen head 8.

  Even with such a configuration, the end portions of the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, and 52-3 can be brought into contact with the pen head 8 to function as a plurality of contact portions. The conduction between the grip 6 and the pen head 8 is maintained. In addition, the pen head 8 is supported by the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 having different elasticity so that the pen head 8 can move and bend. Therefore, similarly to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of writing feelings are obtained by different elasticity, and the operability of the stylus pen 2 is improved.

[Other Embodiments]

  (1) The damper spring 48 may be formed of a curved spring protruding from the inner wall of the grip 6 toward the outer surface of the pen head 8, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

  (2) The damper spring 48 may be formed of a zigzag bent spring protruding from the inner wall of the grip 6 toward the outer surface of the pen head 8, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

  (3) The pen head 8 may be a single conductive material, or only the pen tip 14 may be formed of conductive materials having different elasticity and rigidity.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 of the damper spring 48 are fitted into the grooves 56-1, 56-2, 56-3 provided on the inner wall of the grip 6. However, it is not limited to this. The spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 may have a configuration in which a protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the grip 6 to prevent rotation, or may be fixed by a fixing means such as an adhesive. The same applies to the case where the spring arms 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 are fixed to the pen head 8.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

2 Stylus Pen 4 Pen Body 6 Grip 8 Pen Head 10 Cap 12 Fixing Ring 14 Pen Tip 16 Touch Panel 18 Electronic Device 20 Hand 22 Conducting Circuit 24 Shaft 26 Hollow Part 28 Fixed Part 30 Base 32 Pen Head Support Part 34 Hollow Part 36 Support Surface 38 Locking part 40 Supporting point part 42 Locking part 48 Damper spring 50 Ring part 52-1, 52-2, 52-3 Spring arm 54 Fixing part 56-1, 56-2, 56-3 Groove part 58 Notch part 60 Elasticity Display part 60-1, 60-2, 60-3 Elasticity display 62 Spring holding part 64 Spring 66 Spring base

Claims (4)

The pen tip,
A cover member covering the nib portion;
A conductive member that movably supports the pen tip portion by a plurality of contact portions having different elasticity, and electrically connects the pen tip portion and the cover member;
Stylus pen with   The stylus pen according to claim 1, wherein the pen tip portion is formed of a conductive material having a bendable elasticity.   The stylus pen according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is provided with a display unit that represents the elasticity applied to the pen tip part. A stylus pen damper spring that movably supports the pen tip on the cover member,
An annular portion attached to the cover member or the pen tip portion;
A plurality of contact portions supported by the annular portion and projecting toward the pen tip portion or the cover member, and supporting the pen tip portion with different elasticity; and
Damper spring with

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