JP2009186580A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device which is highly flexible to set key touch feeling, and easy to change its setting, in a device for creating the key touch feeling by generating the sense of force on the basis of a magnetic force. <P>SOLUTION: The keyboard device includes a key body 1, a key restore member 2 and an interlocking member 3. A sense of force generating section 4 generates the sense of force according to the movement of the key body 1 by the movement of the interlocking member 3. The sense of force generation section 4 includes a power generator 5 and a load circuit 6 which is electrically connected to the power generator 5, and in some cases, it includes a press-down position detection sensor 7 and a load value control section 8. The load circuit 6 is an impedance circuit. By an electromotive force generated by the power generator 5, a current flows in the load circuit 6, and a reaction force given to a mechanical system by the power generator 5 is generated. For example, a damping force is generated when electric energy is consumed by a resistance component of the load circuit 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument that creates a key touch feeling.

In a keyboard device, generally, a plurality of white key main body portions and a plurality of black key main body portions are rotatably disposed on a frame via their key fulcrum portions. When the key body is pressed, the key body is pressed against the return force of the return means such as the weight of the hammer or the spring, and returns to the original position by the spring or gravity when the key is released.
Therefore, the key touch feeling is mainly determined by the mass of the key body and the return force of the return means.
On the other hand, in a keyboard device in which a rocking lever (also called a pseudo hammer or mass body) rocks in conjunction with the depression of the key body, a key touch feel similar to that of a natural musical instrument is obtained due to the moment of inertia. It is done.
All of the above-described conventional techniques obtain a key touch feeling only by a mechanical structure. For this reason, the key touch feel cannot be freely designed because of the weight of the mass body, the strength of the spring, and the restrictions on the motion mechanism.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a magnetic field generating member (permanent magnet or electromagnet) and a conductor such as an aluminum plate are opposed to each other, and the two are relatively displaced in conjunction with key depression, thereby causing an eddy current in the conductor. Occurs and electric energy is consumed. At that time, a braking force by electromagnetic force is generated to create a key touch feeling.
In Patent Document 1, by changing the facing area between the magnetic field generating member and the conductor during the key pressing operation, or by controlling the excitation current of the magnetic field generating member (electromagnet) according to the pressed position, The brake force by electromagnetic force can be changed to create various key touch feelings.
However, since the magnetic field generating member and the conductor are relatively displaced in the direction along the facing surface, it is difficult not only to maintain a narrow gap between them, but also to directly control the eddy current itself. I can't. Therefore, it is difficult to set a key touch feeling with a high degree of freedom, and it is also difficult to increase the braking force based on the electromagnetic force. Further, when the magnetic field generating member is an electromagnet, an external power source for excitation is required, and the power consumption cannot be ignored.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-99475

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and generates a key touch feeling by generating a force sense such as a braking force based on electromagnetic force, and sets the key touch feeling. An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that has a high degree of freedom and that can be easily changed.

According to the present invention, in the invention described in claim 1, a frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, a key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-key-pressed state, In the keyboard device having force sense generating means for generating a force sense according to the movement of the key body, the force sense generating means includes a generator driven according to the movement of the key body, A load circuit electrically connected to the output terminal to which the electromotive force generated in the generator is applied, and the key is generated by both the force sense generated by the force sense generating means and the key return force by the key return means. It is designed to create a touch feeling.
Since the generator generates an electromotive force in response to a change in the magnetic field interlinked with the electric circuit, there is no change in the magnetic field when the key body is stationary. Therefore, “force sense” (reaction force) based on electromagnetic force does not occur. However, as the moving speed of the key body increases, the electromotive force increases, the current flows through the load circuit, and the "force sense" that the generator gives to the mechanical system (for example, by the power consumed by the resistance component of the load circuit, Braking force is generated).
The load circuit is an impedance circuit, and has a resistance (resistance) component, an inductance component, and a capacitance component.

Focusing only on the resistance component of the load circuit, when the force pushing the key body is weak, the speed of the key body is low, so the braking force of the generator does not work, so the key touch feel is light. The harder the key is pressed, the higher the moving speed of the key body, the greater the braking force of the generator, and the greater the key touch feel. Such a key touch feeling should be a dynamic key touch feeling.
It is similar to the touch of a grand piano that a weak touch is a weak touch and a heavy touch is a heavy touch.

In addition, since the predetermined key touch feeling can be set by setting the resistance value of the load circuit to a predetermined value, the degree of freedom in setting the key touch feeling is high, and the setting can be easily changed.
A key touch feel can be created simply by incorporating “force generation means” with a simple configuration of a generator and a load circuit into the basic structure of an existing keyboard device. There is no need to newly design a mechanism for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
The key return means is a key return spring, a pseudo hammer, or a swing lever, which performs a key return function and helps with a resistance force (static load) during a key pressing process. The key touch feeling is created by combining the “force sense” generated by the force sense generating means and the key return force.

In the keyboard device according to the first aspect described above, an interlocking member that moves in conjunction with the key body portion may be provided, and the generator may be driven by the interlocking member. Since the key body and the generator can be arranged apart from each other, the degree of freedom in deciding where to place the generator increases.
The interlocking member described above can also change the direction of motion.
For example, if the interlocking member moves in the longitudinal direction of the key in conjunction with the pressing movement of the key body part, the interlocking member and the generator correspond to each key to a keyboard device having a plurality of key body parts. Easy to place. In addition, since a position detector for detecting the movement position of the interlocking member is easily arranged, the braking force can be set with high accuracy when the force sense is controlled according to the pressed position.

The interlocking member described above may also have a speed increasing function.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the first aspect, the key device moves in conjunction with the drive unit of the key main body, and is increased more than the moving speed of the fastest moving part of the key main body. The driven member of the generator is driven by the speed increasing portion of the interlocking member.
As a result, it is possible to increase the sense of force such as the braking force from the key body portion on the performer. Even in this case, if the pressing speed of the key body portion is 0 or small, almost no power is generated, so that the rate of change of force sense with respect to the change of the key pressing speed of the key body portion increases.
Therefore, since the settable range of the touch feeling obtained from a weak key touch feeling to a very strong key touch feeling is expanded, the dynamic range of the key touch feeling by the load circuit is increased. As described above, since the force sense of the generator can be increased by driving the speed increasing portion, the degree of variety of the key touch feeling is increased.
Moreover, since the generated electric power increases due to the speed increase, a large force sense can be obtained even with a small power generator with low efficiency. As a result, it is possible to make a keyboard device compactly despite the large sense of force obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the first or second aspect, the load circuit is a variable impedance circuit, and the force sensation is generated according to a resistance component value of the variable impedance circuit. The key touch feeling is changed by changing the force sense generated by the means.
Since at least one value of the resistance component, inductance component, and capacitance component of the impedance circuit is variable with respect to the electromotive force supplied from the generator, the generator directly applies to the key body, or the interlocking member. By changing the force sense given through the key, the key touch feeling transmitted from the key body to the performer's finger changes.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain a key touch feeling not only according to the moving speed of the key body but also according to a variable value such as a resistance component of the load circuit.

  For example, as the resistance value of the load circuit, a plurality of different resistance values are prepared according to a plurality of types of key touch feelings. For example, the resistance value corresponding to one key touch feeling selected by the performer can be set statically, or the resistance value can be statically set according to the pitch and the range assigned to each of the key body sections. It is set, dynamically set according to the pressed position (using a variable resistance portion that changes according to the pressed position), or a combination thereof. The resistance value of the load circuit may be infinite or zero.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the key-pressing position of the key main body before the key pressing is detected in the stroke when the key main body is pressed or the key is pressed. The value of the resistance component of the load circuit is decreased until the middle position after the detection, and the value of the resistance component of the load circuit is increased after the pressed position of the key body portion reaches the middle position. Load value control means.
The midway position before the key depression is detected is, for example, a position immediately before the depression position where the key depression is detected by the key switch. The midway position after the key pressing is detected is an arbitrary pressing position in the section from the position immediately after the pressing position where the key pressing is detected to the pressing position.

  Therefore, in the stroke when the key body portion is depressed, the braking force is increased until the depressed position of the key body portion becomes an intermediate position, thereby making the key touch feel heavy. Further, after returning from the above-mentioned intermediate position to the non-key-pressed state (strictly speaking, in the embodiment referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. The braking force is reduced. As supported by this embodiment, the above-described “load value control means” does not slow down the return of the key due to the addition of the force sense generation means in the process of releasing the key. I have to.

  Therefore, a fast passage can be played. Fast passages are not played with ff (fortissimo), but are generally about mf (mesoforte) or mp (meso piano), and there is not much mechanical load even in the process of key depression. If expressed in musical terms, the speed of the passage is easily affected by the touch of a key (as is the case with a piano key), so when playing a strong passage quickly, the first passage is strengthened and the subsequent passage is A performance technique that does not play too strongly (a performance technique that enhances expressiveness: also called a passage with an accent) can be naturally achieved. Otherwise, due to the mechanical load in the process of strong key depression, the passage cannot be played quickly and the tempo is delayed.

  In the invention described in claim 4 described above, in the key release process after the key depression is detected by the key switch, the quick key return and the performance technique for enhancing the expressiveness are compatible. It has become. In other words, with the conventional organ-type keyboard mechanism in which there is no pseudo-hammer and the return means is only a spring, the above-described “playing method that enhances expressiveness” is difficult to play. Because the key is light, too much force is applied, and fast passages become extremely fast.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the third aspect, a position detection sensor for detecting a pressed position of the key body portion, and the position detection sensor in a stroke when the key body portion is depressed. Load value control means for controlling the value of the resistance component of the load circuit according to the pressed position detected by.
Accordingly, the braking force can be made variable not only in accordance with the moving speed of the key body but also in accordance with the pressed position of the key body in the stroke when the key body is depressed.
The key touch feel in the stroke at the time of key depression is variable, but it is preferable to quickly return the key body part to the original state in the stroke at the time of key release. It is desirable to control so that

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the fifth aspect, the load value control means stores a characteristic pattern of a resistance component value of the load circuit with respect to a pressed position of the key body. It has a storage means.
By simply changing the characteristic pattern, it is possible to easily change the key touch feeling according to the pressed position in the stroke when the key body is depressed.

For example, a characteristic pattern that realizes the above-described invention according to claim 4 can be obtained.
In addition, for example, in the stroke at the time of key pressing, a midway position before the key pressing is detected or after the key pressing is detected (for example, a position from the position immediately before the key pressing detection to the position immediately after the key pressing is detected) The characteristic pattern is such that the resistance value of the load circuit described above changes from a high resistance value to a low resistance value in accordance with the movement to an arbitrary pressing position). In this case, it is possible to obtain a key touch feeling that increases the braking force as the pressed position deepens to a predetermined midway position in the pressed direction.
On the other hand, the load circuit described above is a high resistance circuit having a high resistance component value from the midway position of the key main body to the return to the non-keypressed state.
If the above-described low resistance circuit is a circuit that short-circuits the above-described generator, and the above-described high resistance circuit is an open circuit, the configuration of the load circuit becomes extremely simple.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device, the frame, the key main body portion movably disposed on the frame, the key return means for returning the key main body portion to the non-pressed state, In a keyboard device having force sense generating means for generating a force sense according to the movement of the key body, the force sense generating means includes a generator driven according to the movement of the key body, and the generator An electric / thermal converter that is electrically connected and converts electric energy generated by the generator into Joule heat, both the force sense generated by the force sense generating means and the key return force by the key return means Thus, a key touch feeling is created.
Therefore, the dynamic key touch feeling can be obtained as in the first aspect of the invention. Moreover, the electric energy obtained by driving the generator can be accumulated in an inductance component or a capacitance component, or can be accumulated in a rechargeable battery after being converted into chemical energy. However, as the configuration becomes complicated, a means for discharging the stored energy is also required. On the other hand, by converting kinetic energy into Joule heat via electric energy, the configuration is simple and the converted Joule heat can be diffused by conduction, radiation, or the like.
Examples of the electrical / thermal converter that converts Joule heat include a resistor, a winding of the generator itself, and a connection line from the output terminal of the generator to the load circuit board. The generator casing (case) is made of, for example, metal with high heat dissipation efficiency, or as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, which will be described later, is elongated to increase the surface area so as not to accumulate Joule heat. It may be.

In the invention according to claim 8, in the keyboard device, a frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, a key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, In the keyboard device having force sense generating means for generating a force sense according to the movement of the key body, the force sense generating means includes a generator driven in accordance with the movement of the key body, and the generator A force sense generated by the force sense generating means and a key return force by the key return means, comprising an electric / visible light converter that is electrically connected and converts the electric energy generated by the generator into visible light energy By both, the key touch feeling is created.
Therefore, it is possible to create a key touch feeling by emitting visible light, to visually recognize the key pressed, and to convert the electric / visible light corresponding to the key pressed by the strength of the key pressed. The device changes the light intensity and emits light. As a result, an interesting keyboard device is provided in which the touch of the fingertip and vision are linked.
For example, in order to accentuate the third sound of a predetermined passage, for example, it can be instructed to play the third sound at a specific light intensity. That is, it is effective for practice or guidance of music expression (articulation).
In addition, it is possible to suppress the heat generation of the keyboard device as compared with the electrical / thermal converter that converts Joule heat.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the generator is coupled to a rotor and the rotor to move the key body. A rotary generator having a rotating shaft that rotates in response.
The rotary generator has high power generation efficiency because the gap between the rotor (driven portion) side and the stator side is held narrow and precise.
In addition, when using a rotary generator, it is possible to rotate in both directions, so it is necessary to design the generator shape in consideration of the maximum key pressing stroke length of the key body and the movement length of the interlocking member. Absent. In addition, the electromotive force can be generated with uniform mechanical / electrical conversion characteristics regardless of the key pressing position, so that the design is easy.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the ninth aspect, the main body portion of the rotary generator includes the key main body portion while the rotation shaft rolls with respect to the guide portion on the frame side. It moves according to the movement of.
Therefore, the moment of inertia due to the mass of the moving generator can also be used to provide a key touch feel.

In the invention according to claim 9 described above, the rotation shaft of the rotary generator may be arranged on a plane orthogonal to the key arrangement direction of the key body.
Generally, it is possible to easily arrange generators having a long cylindrical shape in parallel in the key arrangement direction. In the keyboard device, since there are few installation restrictions in the axial direction of the long cylinder shape, the maximum output power of the generator can be increased. As a result, the maximum value of the braking force can be increased, and a strong braking force can be set during the fastest movement of the key body.
In the above-described invention according to claim 9, a plurality of rotary generators are used as the rotary generator, and the plurality of rotary generators are driven simultaneously according to the movement of the key body. Also good.
Even if the output power of the generator is small, the total output power generated can be increased by increasing the number of generators.

In the invention according to claim 11, a frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, a key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, In the keyboard device having force sense generating means for generating force sense according to movement, the force sense generating means includes a generator whose electromotive force changes according to the moving speed of the key body portion, and electric power to the generator. And a load circuit to which the electromotive force generated in the generator is applied, and a key touch feeling is created by both the force sense generated by the force sense generating means and the key return force by the key return means It is what you do.
Therefore, the parameter of the key body moving speed greatly contributes to the force sense control.

  According to the present invention, in the keyboard device, the kinetic energy in the stroke at the time of key depression is converted into electric energy, and this electric energy is consumed by, for example, the resistance component in the load circuit, thereby providing a highly flexible key touch feeling. As a key touch feeling, it is possible to obtain a sense of force such as a large braking force.

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.
First, an outline will be described. In the figure, 1 is a key body part, and 2 is a key return member. 3 is an interlocking member. These are mechanical parts of the mechanical system. 4 is a force sense generating unit. The interlocking member 3 is coupled to the key body 1 and the force generation unit 4 by mechanical coupling, and transmits kinetic energy in both directions.
The force sense generating unit 4 generates a force sense in response to the movement of the key main body unit 1 directly according to the movement of the key main body unit 1 or via the movement of the interlocking member 3.
The haptic generation unit 4 includes a generator 5 and a load circuit 6 that is electrically connected to the generator 5 and to which an electromotive force generated in the generator 5 is applied. Specifically, the output terminal of the generator and the load circuit are connected by a conductor such as a conducting wire. Further, the force generation unit 4 may include a pressed position detection sensor 7 and a load value control unit 8.

The generator 5 is coupled to the interlocking member 3 by mechanical coupling and transmits kinetic energy in both directions. For example, they are connected by rollers and flat plates, pulleys and belts, or meshed (for example, gears, racks and pinions, gears and toothed belts, etc.).
The interlocking member 3 is not essential, and the key body 1 and the generator 5 may be directly connected. Further, when the key return member 2 described above is a swing lever shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 described later, the key return member 2 also functions as the interlocking member 3.
The generator 5 is driven according to the movement of the key body 1 and the interlocking member 3. The generator 5 realizes a bidirectional energy conversion function of mechanical / electrical and electrical / mechanical.
The load circuit 6 is an impedance circuit, and is a passive circuit having a resistance component, an inductance component, and a capacitance component. The electromotive force generated by the generator 5 causes a current to flow through the load circuit 6 and generates a reaction force that the generator 5 gives to the mechanical system.

The present inventor named the reaction force from the generator to the mechanical system as “force sense”, and combined the generator and a load circuit electrically connected to the generator into “force sense”. It was named “Generation means”.
For example, when electric energy is consumed by the resistance component of the load circuit 6, a braking force is generated as a “force sense”. The stronger the player presses the key body 1, the higher the pressing speed. As will be described later, when the moving speed of the key body increases, the power consumed by the resistance component of the load circuit 6 increases and the braking force increases.
Further, as will be described later, the braking force can be made different depending on the current pressing position of the key body 1 and depending on whether the stroke is a key stroke or a key release stroke. Further, the braking force can be made different between the movement in the pressing direction and the movement in the key return direction.
The key touch feeling is created by both the “force sense” generated by the force sense generator 4 and the key return force by the key return member 2.

Next, each component will be described.
The plurality of key body portions 1 constituting the keyboard are arranged to be movable with respect to the frame (fixed portion), and move with respect to the frame when the key is depressed. In a keyboard device of a general electronic musical instrument, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the key fulcrum portion of the key body portion 1 is rotatably supported by a key support portion on the frame side. The key return member 2 (spring, pseudo hammer, etc.) returns the key body 1 to the non-key-pressed state when the key body 1 that has been pressed is released.
The interlocking member 3 may move linearly or rotate. In the case of rotational movement, between the linear movement of the key body 1 (strictly speaking, it is a rotational movement, but is substantially a linear movement because the rotational angle is small) and the rotational movement. Perform the conversion. Even in the case of linear movement, the movement direction may be converted.

The interlocking member 3 preferably has a speed increasing function for driving the generator 5 at high speed. In other words, the interlocking member 3 moves in conjunction with the drive unit of the key body 1 and has a speed increasing portion that is increased more than the moving speed of the fastest moving portion of the key body 1. The driven portion of the generator 5 is driven by the speed increasing portion of the interlocking member 3.
Here, the fastest moving part of the key body part 1 is the part that moves the fastest in the key body part 1, and in a general keyboard device, is the key tip part on the player side.
Accordingly, the electromotive force of the generator 5 is increased by the speed increasing function, and for example, the power consumption due to the resistance component in the load circuit 6 is increased.
The maximum key pressing stroke length of the key main body 1 is about 1 cm, but it is desirable that the moving distance be expanded to about 5 times, for example.

An example of the interlocking member 3 having a speed increasing function is a link mechanism having an inverted V shape (an inverted character) as a basic structure.
This link mechanism has a basic structure in which the upper end portion of the first link and the upper end portion of the second link are rotatably coupled by a pin to form a coupling portion, and the overall shape is an inverted V shape. One basic structure, or a lower end portion on one side (right side) of the one basic structure and a lower end portion on the other side (left side) of the other basic structure are rotatably coupled by a pin to form a coupling portion. Thus, as a whole, a plurality of basic structures are linked together.

The lower end portion on the performer side of such a link mechanism is rotatably fixed to the frame side, and the lower end portion on the key depth side of the link mechanism is rotatably connected to the slide member. This slide member is mechanically coupled to the driven portion of the generator 5 and drives the generator 5.
The link mechanism moves in the longitudinal direction of the key in a state in which the connecting portion between the lower ends of each link is in contact with the frame side (for example, the upper surface of the frame) (or in a state of being in contact via a rotating member), and The frame so that the connecting portion between the upper ends of each link moves in the longitudinal direction of the key in a state where it is in contact with the key body portion 1 side (for example, the top surface) (or in a state where it is contacted via a rotating member). Are arranged on a plane perpendicular to.

When the key body portion 1 is pressed, the plurality of links of the link mechanism described above move relative to each other while being restrained to move the slide member in the depth direction of the key, and the generator 5 is driven.
At this time, in the inverted V-shaped basic structure, the moving distance in the horizontal direction is sufficiently longer than the moving distance in the vertical direction of the key body 1, so the moving speed of the fastest moving part of the key body 1 The moving speed in the horizontal direction is faster than that. Further, the moving distance in the horizontal direction is increased in proportion to the number of chain bonds of the basic configuration, and the moving speed of the slide member is also increased.
A chain of two basic structures has an inverted W shape and will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Further, as the interlocking member 3 having a speed increasing function, there is also a swinging mechanism (swinging lever) described with reference to FIGS.
A swing lever driving portion projects downward from the top surface near the tip portion (the fastest part of the key body portion 1).
The swing lever has a swing fulcrum supported by a swing support portion of the frame so as to be swingable. Has a free end on the depth side. The length of the arm from the swing fulcrum to the free end is sufficiently longer than the length of the arm from the swing fulcrum to the driven part. As a result, the moving speed of the free end is faster than the moving speed of the fastest part of the key body 1.
An arcuate portion is provided at the free end of the swing lever. This arc-shaped portion is a drive portion for the generator, and is coupled to a driven portion of the generator fixed to the frame side by mechanical coupling (for example, meshing and friction) that can be relatively moved.

  When the key body portion 1 is depressed, the arcuate portion of the swing lever moves the swing fulcrum portion through the engagement between the swing lever drive portion of the key body portion 1 and the driven portion of the swing lever. The generator is driven via a mechanical connection that rotates as a fulcrum and is relatively movable. When the key body portion 1 is released, the key body portion 1 returns to the non-key-pressed state mainly through the engagement of the swing lever driving portion and the driven portion due to the weight of the swing lever. The engagement mechanism and the mechanically movable mechanism described above transmit mechanical energy in both directions.

The generator described above may be placed on the free end of the swing lever.
In this case, the main body (housing) of the generator is driven, and the movable part of the generator (rotating shaft to which the rotor is fixed) and the guide member on the frame side are mechanically movable (for example, (Engagement, friction).
When the key body portion 1 is depressed, the generator body rotates about the swing fulcrum portion, and the magnetic flux linked to the coil inside the generator changes due to the relative mechanical movement. An electromotive force is generated. When the key body portion 1 is released, the key body portion 1 returns to the non-key-pressed state mainly by the weight of the swing lever.

The generator 5 can be an off-the-shelf product that can be incorporated into a keyboard device. A generator or an electric motor has better mechanical / electrical conversion efficiency than a rotating disk that generates eddy currents. If you use a neodymium magnet represented by NeFeB or a samarium cobalt magnet, you can manufacture generators and motors with high mechanical-electrical conversion efficiency, and by using them, you can obtain a large braking force and be compact. A keyboard device can be manufactured.
Since it is only necessary to design an interlocking member that connects the moving mechanism of the key body and the ready-made generator, it is easy to create a key touch feeling.
In particular, when a rotary generator is used, there is no limit on the number of rotations, and therefore there is no need to consider the moving distance of the interlocking member 3. Moreover, an electromotive force can be generated with the same mechanical / electrical conversion characteristics regardless of the movement position of the interlocking member 3.

  The most common type of rotary generator is an AC (synchronous) generator that generates an electromotive force proportional to the angular velocity at an AC frequency proportional to the angular velocity. The electromotive force is rectified by a commutator provided on the rotating shaft, thereby forming a DC generator. In addition to the type in which the armature coil rotates, there is a type in which the field of the permanent magnet rotates. A DC generator can be obtained by full-wave rectifying the output of the AC generator with a diode.

In the specific example described later with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings as the generator 5, a rotating shaft (driven) coupled to the rotor and rotated in accordance with the movement of the key body 1 (and the interlocking member 3). The case where the rotary generator which has a part) is used is demonstrated.
As a rotary generator, a commercially available small generator or a commercially available direct current small electric motor, that is, an armature having a coil wound around an iron core and a permanent magnet for generating a field, and a commutator provided on a rotating shaft Can be used that slides on the stationary brush.

In the case of using a rotary generator, the rotary generator is fixed to the frame side and used in such a manner that the rotary shaft is rotated according to the movement of the key body 1 or the interlocking member 3.
Instead, the rotary shaft of the rotary generator is connected to the guide portion on the frame side by a mechanical connection (for example, a rack and a pinion) that can move relative to the frame. It is also possible to take a form of use in which the main body of the generator rotates in accordance with the movement of the key main body (and the interlocking member 3).

  Further, a linear motor in which the movable part moves linearly with respect to the fixed part may be used as the generator. A linear motor is a flat-plate electric motor, which is a unit in which a rotary electric motor is developed in the circumferential direction, and is arranged on a plane over a plurality of units. When the magnetic field perpendicular to the gap between the movable portion and the fixed portion changes in the linear direction, the movable portion (driven portion) is linearly driven by electromagnetic force.

The rotary generator described above includes a speed increasing mechanism driven in accordance with the movement of the key body, for example, a speed increasing gear mechanism, and rotates the rotor shaft via the speed increasing gear mechanism. There may be. At that time, the key touch feeling is given by utilizing the braking force generated by the mechanical friction of the speed increasing mechanism.
When the rotor of the rotary generator described above has a pole, it is desirable that the number of poles is three or more. By increasing the number of poles to 3 poles rather than 2 poles and 4 poles rather than 3 poles, the frequency of the electromotive force can be increased. Therefore, the fluctuation frequency of the braking force of the rotary DC generator during one rotation also increases. As a result, the braking force felt by the player's finger through the key body can be smoothed.
However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the braking force is transmitted to the rack 133 / pinion 134 and the key body 121 via the swing lever 122 (142), so that the key touch feeling is almost smooth. It becomes.

When the rotary generator described above is disposed on a vertical plane orthogonal to the key arrangement direction of the key body 1, the rotational generator is installed when a rotary generator is provided for each key body. There are few restrictions.
A plurality of rotary generators may be used as the rotary generator described above, and the plurality of rotary generators may be driven simultaneously in accordance with the movement of the key body 1 (and the interlocking member 3).
In this case, the electromotive force generated by each of the plurality of rotary generators may be connected to a load circuit 6 provided individually for each rotary generator. Moreover, you may connect to the load circuit 6 common to each rotary generator. In this case, it is preferable to connect to the common load circuit 6 via a backflow prevention diode.

  In addition, if the plurality of rotary DC generators described above have an armature with two or more poles and rotate with the rotational phase of the rotor relatively shifted, apparently the rotary generator Since the number of poles of the armature is increased, the fluctuation and fluctuation frequency of the braking force of the plurality of rotary generators during one rotation are reduced. As a result, the braking force felt by the player's finger through the key body can be smoothed.

When the generator 5 is a rotary generator and the resistance value of the load circuit 6 is R, an electromotive force E proportional to the rotational speed of the generator 5 is generated. ^{Since 2} R is consumed as Joule heat, the generator 5 has a so-called dynamic braking function and generates a braking force in the mechanical system.

Since the load circuit 6 is a passive circuit, an external power supply is not necessarily required. Therefore, there is no power consumption when using an external power supply.
The load circuit 6 is generally an impedance circuit. If the generator 5 is an AC generator, an AC electromotive force is output. If the generator 5 is a DC generator, an AC electromotive force rectified by a commutator is output.
Therefore, a strange and interesting force sense can be generated by the inductance component and capacitance component of the load circuit 6.
However, in the following specific embodiments, the braking force generated by the generator 5 is used by using the power consumption by the resistance component. That is, it has a resistor (electrical resistor) as a circuit element and does not include inductance and capacitance. However, although there is an inductance component due to the winding in the generator 5, it is ignored in the following description.
Moreover, since the coil | winding in the generator 5, the connection line with a load circuit, and a switching element also have a low resistance value, these are also contained in a resistor. The resistor can be referred to as an electrical / thermal converter.

Further, the load circuit 6 may have a light emitting body (visible light generator) such as an incandescent light bulb or a light emitting diode (lED) as a load. By arranging the illuminant (visible light generator) in a place where the correspondence with the key main body 1 is known, the key depression and the key depression force can be visually recognized by visible light emission.
The light emitter (visible light generator) can also be called an electric / visible light converter. The light emitter (visible light generator) consumes electric energy by converting the electric energy into visible light energy. In general, since a light emitter (visible light generator) also generates Joule heat, electric energy is consumed even by heat energy.

In addition, an external power supply (not shown) and a visible light generator (light emitter) are included, and the load circuit 6 includes a load resistor and a switching circuit or a current amplifier, and generates an electromotive force generated in the generator 5. By detecting, an external power supply may be supplied to the visible light generator, or the visible light generator may change the emission intensity according to the electromotive force.
Also in this case, the visible light generator emits light, so that the key depression and the key depression force can be visually confirmed.
Visually understandable.

The load circuit 6 described above may be a short circuit. In this case, the stronger the key is pressed, the greater the braking force is returned to the finger.
The load circuit 6 described above may be a variable resistor or one that switches and selects a plurality of resistors. If the resistance value of the load circuit 6 is variably controlled, an arbitrary key touch feeling rich in change can be obtained.

The grand piano has a heavy touch feeling due to its complicated action mechanism. Therefore, in order to obtain a key touch feeling with a feeling of weight of a grand piano with an electronic keyboard instrument, a pseudo hammer, a weight member, and the like are necessary. Also, to make the key touch lighter or heavier, it was necessary to switch to a completely different mechanism.
On the other hand, by changing the resistance value of the load circuit with the same configuration of the generator and the load circuit, it can be freely changed to a light touch and a heavy touch. Therefore, there is no need to switch the mechanism of the pseudo hammer or the weight member.
The touch generated by the generator and the load circuit does not affect the static load. This means that the reaction force changes when the key is pressed. As the simplest example, when the key is pressed with a finger in the half-pressed state, the generator is stopped, so the static load is only due to a spring or a hammer.

To change the key touch feel, select one of preset resistors, manually operate the variable resistor, or set the resistance value of the load circuit using digital values. Can be. The resistance value of the load circuit can be changed in conjunction with the tone color setting.
When the key touch feeling / scaling is made by making the resistance value variable according to the pitch, it is variably adjusted for each key or made variable in units of sound ranges, for example, 1 to 2 octaves.
The resistance value of the load circuit is reduced so that a key touch feeling is felt heavy for a key body portion to which a pitch belonging to the lowest 2-octave pitch range (low range) is assigned. Also, the resistance value of the load circuit is increased so that a key touch feeling can be felt lightly with respect to the key body portion to which the pitch belonging to the highest 2-octave range (high range) is assigned.
In an intermediate sound range sandwiched between these sound ranges, the resistance value of the load circuit is set to an intermediate value. Note that the key touch feeling includes a braking force that does not change depending on the pitch due to the friction of the mechanical system, regardless of the above-described sound range.
In addition, the key touch feeling such that the resistance value of the load circuit is reduced in the low range described above, the resistance value of the load circuit is set to the medium resistance value in the middle range, and the generator and the load circuit are not provided in the high range. Scaling may be performed.

The load value control unit 8 controls the load value (such as the resistance component value) of the load circuit 6 according to the pressed position of the key pressing main body unit 1 detected by the pressed position detection sensor 7, thereby touching the key touch. To change. However, the position detection sensor 7 and the load value control unit 8 are not essential components for the force generation unit 4.
The pressed position detection sensor 7 may detect the pressed position of the key body 1 itself, but indirectly detects the pressed position of the key body 1 by detecting the moving position of the interlocking member 3. However, it is easy to realize because there is a degree of freedom in the arrangement of the pressed position detection sensor 7.

The load value control unit 8 sets the load value according to the pressed position so that the load value is set to generate a force sensation and the generated force sensation changes according to the pressed position during the key pressing process. Or make it variable.
The load value control unit 8 continuously changes the resistance value in accordance with the pressed position of the key body unit 1 or switches the resistance value at one or more positions of the pressed position of the key body unit 1. When there are a plurality of positions to be switched, it can be said that the resistance value is changed substantially continuously.
On the other hand, the load value control unit 8 controls the load value so as not to generate a force sense during the key release process.

However, in actual performance, the maximum depth (sinking amount) at the time of key depression is not constant. Therefore, the arrangement of the pressed position detection sensor 7 or the control mode is designed so as to be close to such a control mode. To do.
For example, in a specific example described later with reference to FIG. 4, the pressed position detection sensor 7 detects two pressed positions. That is, the position immediately after the key pressing of the key body 1 (initial pressing position) and the midway position when the key body 1 is further pressed are detected.
The load value control unit 8 receives the detection output of the pressed position detection sensor 7, and before the key position of the key body 1 is detected by the key switch in the stroke when the key body 1 is pressed, or The value of the resistance component of the load circuit 6 is reduced (for example, a short circuit) until the key position is detected after the key depression is detected. Increase the resistance component value of the load circuit 6 (cut off the connection to the high resistance circuit, for example, the generator 5 and open the load of the generator 5 ((open)), or set the resistance value to 100 [Ω ] Or more).

When the key body 1 is in the position immediately after the key depression (almost the key depression start position), the load circuit 6 is returned to the initial state by using a low resistance circuit (for example, a short circuit).
In this specific example, it can be said that the load value in the process at the time of key release is controlled using the history of detecting the halfway position.
Instead, a load value that generates a force sensation (braking force) different from the stroke at the time of key depression or a force sensation (braking force) different from the stroke at the time of key depression is generated in the stroke at the time of key release. The load value to be changed may be made variable according to the pressed position.
For simplification, the load value may be controlled at any time in accordance with the pressed position of the key body 1 without distinguishing between key depression and key release.

Instead of the specific example described above, the pressed position detection sensor 7 may sequentially detect the pressed position where the key body 1 is actually pressed.
The load value control unit 8 performs control so that the resistance value of the load circuit 6 continuously changes in accordance with the current pressing position detected by the pressing position detection sensor 7 during the key pressing process.
On the other hand, it is better to lighten the key touch feel when returning the key. Therefore, the movement direction (positive or negative of the moving speed) of the key body 1 is detected from the change in the current pressing position, and a force sense (braking force) is generated when the key body 1 is moving in the pressing direction. The load value that generates a force sense (braking force) is variable according to the pressed position, and no force sense is generated when moving in the key return direction (braking force is zero). Control the load value.

  However, depending on the mode of the key pressing operation, the moving direction of the key body 1 may be reversed in the pressing direction even during the key release process. For this reason, the movement direction of the key body 1 is not necessarily the same as the key return direction and the stroke at the time of key release. However, it can be said that it corresponds substantially, and when it is reversed in the pressing direction, since the moving speed is small and the generated force sense (braking force) is small, the mismatch between the two does not matter so much.

Further, as in the specific example described above, it is detected that the intermediate position has been reached before the key depression is detected by the key switch or after the key depression is detected, and after detecting the intermediate position, the load circuit The resistance value of 6 may be increased.
When the movement direction of the key body 1 is the key return direction, a load value that generates a force sensation (braking force) different from that in the pressing direction or a force different from that in the pressing direction is used. The load value for generating the sense of sensation (braking force) may be varied according to the pressed position.

In order to set the resistance value of the load circuit 6 with respect to the pressed position of the key body unit 1 by the load value control unit 8 described above, it is desirable to have a characteristic storage device.
The load value control unit 8 changes the resistance value according to the pressed position of the key body unit 1 according to the characteristic pattern read from the characteristic storage device, or one or more positions of the pressed position of the key body unit 1 In this case, the resistance value is switched. When there are a plurality of positions to be switched, it can be said that the resistance value is changed substantially continuously.

The characteristic storage device described above stores, for example, a setting table for setting a change characteristic pattern (characteristic curve) of the resistance value of the load circuit 6 with respect to the pressed position of the key body 1. In this characteristic storage device, a plurality of types of setting tables having different touch feelings are stored.
A touch feel selection means for causing a performer to input a touch feel condition and selecting one setting table from a plurality of setting tables stored in the storage means in accordance with the input touch feel condition; The control unit 8 may control the resistance value of the load circuit 6 using the setting table selected by the touch feeling selection unit. One type of setting table may be used, and in this case, touch feeling selection means is unnecessary.

By using such a characteristic storage means, it is easier to create, less break, and easier to maintain and inspect than a mechanism for switching the key touch feeling in a mechanical system. When the generator 5 or the load circuit 6 is broken, it is only necessary to replace these parts, so that the repair is easy.
Even when control is performed so that the resistance value is not changed according to the pressed position of the key body 1, the above characteristic storage means stores a resistance value setting table according to the touch feeling, and is selected by the touch feeling selection means. Select the resistance value according to the touch feeling, or the key touch feeling / scaling control means select the resistance value according to the pitch or range from the resistance value setting table assigned according to the pitch or range. It can also be used to

In FIG. 1, the pressed position detection sensor 7, the load value control unit 8, and the load circuit 6 have different configurations. However, they can be integrated.
For example, a carbon film resistor plate is attached to the key body 1 or the interlocking member 3, and a contact provided on the frame side is slid on the carbon film resistor plate, or provided on the key body 1 or the interlocking member 3. What is necessary is just to make it the movable contact made slide on the carbon film resistance board provided in the flame | frame side. The characteristic pattern is arbitrary, but for example, the resistance value is continuously increased from large to small as the depressed position becomes deeper from the start of the key depression.

FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the first specific embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a link mechanism 18 and a slider 19 are used as the interlocking member 3 shown in FIG. 1, and a rotary DC generator 14 is used as the generator 5.
In the figure, 11 is a white key body, 12 is a black key body, 13 is a frame, 14 is a rotary DC generator, 15 is a key support, and 16 is a generator support. The key support portion 15 and the generator support portion 16 may be formed integrally with the frame 13.
About the white key main-body part 11, the longitudinal cross-sectional structure is shown. 11a is a stopper piece formed on the lower front side, 11b is a key side wall (the inner surface of the left side wall is visible), 11c is an actuator protruding from the key top surface, and 11d is suspended from the key top surface in the longitudinal direction of the key. There are two elongated ridges (the ridge on the left is visible). 11e is a key fulcrum, and 11f is a return spring mounting portion.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a key switch that detects a key pressing operation of the white key main body 11 when pressed by the actuator 11c. The key switch 17 has two circuit switches that operate with a time difference in a concentric double structure, and also detects the key pressing speed.
18 is a link mechanism, and 19 is a slider. The link mechanism 18 converts the pressing movement (approximate vertical linear movement) of the white key main body 11 into linear movement in the depth direction of the key longitudinal direction of the slider 19 and also has a speed increasing function. A pinion (small gear) 20 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 14 and meshes with a rack 19 a formed on the side surface of the slider 19.

The frame 13 has a stopper support base 13a on the front side (player side), and immediately behind it forms a key guide 13b having a step, followed by a frame base 13c. A rear fall (rear vertical portion) 13d rises from the rear end of the frame base 13c.
On the upper surface of the frame base 13c, with respect to one key body 11, a small hemispherical protrusion 13e, a pair of fixed shaft support portions 21 (the left one is visible) on the left and right in the key arrangement direction, A rolling element guide plate 22 (the left one is visible) is provided.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, one slider / guide plate 23 is provided at the boundary between adjacent key body portions 11. These can be molded integrally with the frame 13.

Between the pair of fixed shaft support portions 21, a short shaft 21a is provided to connect the two.
A long hole 22a is formed in the pair of rolling element guide plates 22 in the key longitudinal direction of the vertical portion 22b. The horizontal portion 22c is formed in the opposite direction on the upper surface of the frame base 13c, and a guide groove is formed between the pair of horizontal portions 22c.
On the other hand, the slider / guide plate 23 is formed with a first long protrusion 23a in the longitudinal direction of the key. The slider / guide plate 23 also serves as a vertical rib that reinforces the frame 13 by connecting the frame base 13c and the rear fall (rear hanging part) 13d.

In the link mechanism 18, the ends of the four links (nodes) 18 a to 18 d are sequentially connected to each other by pins 18 e, 18 f, and 18 g to one key main body 11, and are formed in an inverted W shape as a whole. It has become. The link mechanism 18 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the key so as to contact the top surface of the key body 11 and the upper surface of the frame base 13c.
An insertion groove 18h is formed in the rotary end 18n of the link 18a. When the insertion groove 18h is obliquely inserted into the short shaft 21a and the insertion groove 18h is parallel to the frame base 13c as shown in the drawing, a hemispherical protrusion 13e is formed. Thus, only the rotation end 18n is allowed to rotate and cannot move in the key longitudinal direction.
The link 18a and the link 18b include a perforated slider 18i that is the upper end of the link 18a and a perforated slider (hidden in this figure) that is the upper end of the link 18b. The hinge is connected. Similarly, at the connecting position of the link 18c and the link 18d, the perforated slider 18k of the link 18c and the perforated slider of the link 18d (hidden in this figure) are hinged ( Hinges) are connected.

These perforated sliders 18i and 18k slide in the longitudinal direction of the key by loosely fitting in a guide groove formed between two ridges 11d (the left ridge is visible). It can move freely.
The perforated sliders 18i and 18k described above may be rollers that rotate along the guide surface, or may be pinions and rack mechanisms.

On the other hand, the lower end portion of the link 18b, the lower end portion of the link 18c, and the rolling element 18j are coupled by a pin portion 18f. The pin portion 18f is regulated in position in the vertical direction by loosely fitting into the long holes 22a of the pair of rolling element guide plates 22. In addition, the rolling element 18j is loosely fitted in a guide groove formed between the horizontal portions 22c of the pair of rolling element guide plates 22, so that the position of the rolling element 18j is restricted in the key arrangement direction, and the frame base The upper surface of 13c is rotated in the longitudinal direction of the key. The rolling element 18j may be a perforated slider such as 18k.
The pin 18m fixed to the lower left end of the link 18d is loosely fitted in a hole 19b formed in the slider 19. The slider 19 moves in the longitudinal direction of the key along the long protrusion 23a formed on the slider / guide plate 23 (see also FIG. 3).

When the white key body 11 is pressed, the links 18a to 18d move relative to each other so that when the slider 19 moves in the depth direction of the key, the rack 19a also moves, and the pinion 20 meshed therewith rotates. The rotary DC generator 14 is driven.
Since the link mechanism 18 has a speed increasing function, the slider 19 moves a longer distance during key depression of the white key main body 11.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a key return spring, which is located behind the key fulcrum 11e and located at the lower part of the rear end of the white key main body 11 and the frame 13 side. In the illustrated example, the generator support 16 A compression coil spring (accumulating the elastic energy that the coil tends to extend) is suspended between the upper plate and the upper plate.
Reference numeral 25 also denotes a key return spring, which is a tension coil spring (accumulating the elastic energy for the coil to contract) suspended between the middle of the link 18b and the middle of the link 18c. In either case, the pressed white key body 11 is returned to its original state in a non-key-pressed state.
Of the key return springs 24 and 25, the key return spring 24 may be omitted. The key return spring 25 may be a weak spring that contributes only to keeping the link mechanism 18 in contact with the key top surface of the key body 11 and the upper surface of the frame base 13c at all times. The key return spring can also be attached to other parts.

An upper limit stopper 26 is provided on the lower surface of the stopper support 13a, and a lower limit stopper 27 is provided on the upper surface, both of which use a member such as felt. When the white key main body 11 is in a non-key-pressed state, the stopper piece 11 a is in contact with the upper limit stopper 26. When the white key body 11 is pressed, the top surface of the white key body 11 comes into contact with the lower limit stopper 27 and the lower limit position is restricted. When the key is released, the stopper piece 11a comes into contact with the upper limit stopper 26 and returns to its original state.
The key guide 13b is disposed so that the upper portion thereof is positioned inside the keys of the white key main body portions 11. When the key is pressed, the position in the key arrangement direction is regulated by interfering with the left and right key side walls 11b.

The black key body 12 is not shown. However, the guide groove, the key fulcrum, the key return springs 24 and 25, the link mechanism 18, and the slider 19 are provided except that the black key actuator is formed at the same key longitudinal direction position as the actuator 11c of the white key body 11. The pinion 20 and the rotary DC generator 14 can have the same configuration as the white key. The upper limit stopper, the lower limit stopper, and the key guide are provided at positions different from the lower limit stopper and key guide for the white key main body. The key guide of the black key body 12 may be omitted.
The return force of the key return spring and the magnitude of the force sensation (braking force etc.) of the generator itself are made different from those of the white key so that the key operation position of the white key main body 11 (the tip on the player side) ) And the black key main body 12 at the key operation position (tip end on the player side) so that the key touch feeling is substantially the same.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of the structure of the slider 19 and the slider guide plate 23 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Reference numerals 23 ′ and 23 ″ are attached to slider / guide plates corresponding to adjacent key body portions.
In the illustrated example, the slider 19 has an L-shaped longitudinal section, 19c is a vertical portion, 19d is a horizontal portion, and 19e is a groove provided on the left side of the vertical portion 19c. The groove 19e is movably engaged with the first long protrusion 23a formed on the right side surface of the slider / guide plate 23 already described.

On the other hand, the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 19d is placed on the frame base 13c, the right end surface of the horizontal portion 19d faces the left side surface of the slider guide plate 23 'adjacent to the right, and the upper end angle of the right end surface of the horizontal portion 19d. The vertical position of the portion is regulated by the second long protruding portion 23′b formed on the left side surface of the slider / guide plate 23 ′. Further, the position of the slider 19 in the vertical direction is also restricted by the first long protrusion 23a.
The slider 19 slides back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the key on the upper surface of the frame base 13c while being regulated by the slider / guide plates 23 and 23 '.

In the figure, reference numerals 31 and 32 denote position detection sensors (pressed position detection sensor 7 in FIG. 1) for detecting the movement position of the slider 19, and the slider 19 is located at two specific positions in the linear movement of the slider 19. Detect that.
For example, the slider 19 is formed of a nonmagnetic material such as a synthetic resin, and a small permanent magnet is embedded in the nonmagnetic material.
As the position detection sensors 31 and 32, magnetoresistive elements (MR) are used, respectively. The resistance value of the magnetoresistive element increases as the external magnetic field increases. A switching circuit whose output is at a high level when the permanent magnet is in proximity to the position detection sensors 31 and 32 is incorporated in the position detection sensors 31 and 32. Reference numeral 32 'denotes a position detection sensor for detecting the position of a slider (not shown) corresponding to the adjacent key body.

  Instead of the position detection sensors 31 and 32, a light source and a light detection sensor may be used. A light reflector (or translucent slit) is formed on the slider 19, and the reflected light (or transmitted light) of the light source is detected when the light reflector (or translucent slit) is close to the light detection sensor. Thus, a switching circuit whose output is at a high level is incorporated in the position detection sensors 31 and 32 in advance.

Again, referring back to FIG.
The rotary DC generator 14 is assigned to the white key main body 11, but the rotary DC generator 14 is assigned to each key for both the white key and the black key.
The rotary DC generator 14 generally includes a long cylindrical outer shell centered on a rotating shaft 14a. As shown in the drawing, when the rotation shaft 14a is arranged on a plane orthogonal to the key arrangement direction, that is, on the drawing sheet, the width in the key arrangement direction can be shortened. Therefore, it becomes easy to assign the rotary DC generator 14 to each of the plurality of key main body portions and arrange them side by side in the key arrangement direction.
In this embodiment, in order to mesh the rack 19 a and the pinion 20, the rotating shaft 14 a is disposed perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider 19. In the arrangement shown in the drawing, there are few restrictions on the keyboard device in the direction of the rotating shaft 14a. Therefore, the power generation output can be increased by increasing the cylinder length of the rotary DC generator 14.

In addition, when the power generation output is insufficient only by assigning one rotary DC generator 14 per key, the illustrated slider 19 is extended (broken line in the figure), and a plurality of rotations are performed along the slider 19. Type DC generators 14 and 28 are arranged side by side so that each pinion meshes with the rack 19 a, and the plurality of rotary type DC generators 14 and 28 are simultaneously driven according to the movement of the white key body 11. May be.
A load circuit (not shown) that is electrically connected to the rotary DC generator 14 may be provided individually for the plurality of rotary DC generators 14 and 28. One load circuit may be shared. In the case of providing a common load circuit, the outputs of the rotary DC generators 14 and 28 may be connected to the common load circuit via backflow prevention diodes.
In addition, one generator for each key may be alternately provided at the position of the generators 14 and 28 shown in FIG.
If it does so, since each generator with respect to an adjacent key can be arrange | positioned without interfering, a bigger generator can be arrange | positioned. As a result, it is possible to apply a greater braking force to each key.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of control according to the pressed position by the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 in the structure of the keyboard device shown in FIGS.
The vertical axis represents the pressing position of the key body 1 (for example, the tip on the player side) from the upper limit position to the lower limit position. The maximum key pressing stroke length is, for example, 1 cm.
In the key switch 17 shown in FIG. 2, the first key switch is first turned on at the first predetermined pressing position in the stroke when the actuator 11c is pressed, and is further pressed deeply to the second predetermined pressing position. In the position, the second key switch is turned on. In the process of releasing the key, the second key switch and the first key switch are sequentially turned off at the second and first predetermined pressing positions.
The second and first predetermined pressing positions described above are in the latter half pressing section that is half or more of the maximum key pressing stroke length (maximum depth).

The position detection sensor 32 shown in FIG. 3 detects that the pressed position of the white key main body 11 is in the pressed position immediately after the key is pressed (for example, 1 to 2 mm). On the other hand, the position detection sensor 31 shown in FIG. 3 detects that the position detection sensor 31 is at an intermediate position, for example, a position immediately before key press detection (immediately before the first predetermined pressing position) (for example, 5 mm). Or you may detect that it exists in the arbitrary pressing positions of the area from the position immediately after the 2nd predetermined pressing position to the position immediately before pressing that is deeper than this. Further, instead of the position detection sensor 31, a first key switch or a second key switch may be used as the pressed position detection sensor 7.
First, the position of the slider 19 shown in FIG. 3 is located around P in FIG.

In the initial state when the power is turned on, the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 turns on the resistor connection switch in the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. As a result, the output of the generator 5 in FIG. 1 (rotary DC generator 14 in FIG. 2) is supplied to the load circuit 6.
In the load circuit 6, for example, as described later with reference to FIG. 7, a resistance value is set in units of a keyboard range.

  When the key depression is started, the slider 19 starts moving in the depth direction of the key via the link mechanism 18, and the position detection sensor 32 shown in FIG. 3 indicates that the slider 19 has moved slightly in the depth direction. Is detected. The load value control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 receives a high level output from the pressed position detection sensor 7 (position detection sensor 32) and tries to turn on the switch in the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. Since the switch in the load circuit 6 is already on as an initial state, the on state continues. The electromotive force of the rotary generator corresponding to the key pressing speed is applied to the load circuit 6, the resistor generates Joule heat, and the generator 5 gives a braking force. At this time, the player's finger pressing the key feels a braking force having a magnitude corresponding to the key pressing speed as a force sense. Note that. The elastic force, inertial force, and frictional force in the mechanical system can be felt by the performer's fingers as reaction forces.

  When the white key body 11 is further pressed, the pressed position detection sensor 7 (position detection sensor 31) detects that the slider 19 has further moved in the depth direction. The load value control unit 8 receives the detection output of the position detection sensor 31 and turns off (opens) the resistor connection switch in the load circuit 6, thereby outputting the output of the generator 5 (rotary DC generator 14). Is not supplied to the load circuit 6. As a result, the generator 5 (rotary DC generator 14) is unloaded, and the generator 5 does not give a braking force. At this time, only the elastic force of the key return springs 24 and 25 shown in FIG. 2 and the frictional force of the link mechanism 18 and the slider 19 can be felt as the reaction force on the finger of the player who is pressing the key. The key touch feel is weakened.

  If the pressing movement is continued, this time, the first key switch in the key switch 17 of FIG. 1 is turned on, and the second key switch is continuously turned on. When the first key switch is turned on, a sound source circuit (not shown) is instructed to start sound generation, and the key generation speed is identified by the sound source unit according to the ON time difference between the first key switch and the second key switch. A musical tone having a pitch assigned to the pressed key is generated at a size corresponding to the key pressing speed.

When the performer releases the key, even if the pressed position detection sensor 7 (position detection sensor 31) detects a permanent magnet and outputs a high level in the process of releasing the key, the switch in the load circuit 6 has already been turned on. Since the generator 5 is off, the white key main body 11 quickly returns to the non-key-pressed state because the generator 5 does not apply the braking force.
In the process of releasing the key, when the pressed position detection sensor 7 (position detection sensor 32) detects the permanent magnet and outputs a high level, the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG. In response to the output of the (position detection sensor 32), the switch in the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on. Therefore, the original state is the same as the initial state when the power is turned on, and the next key depression is waited.

As a result of the control described above, after pressing down to a predetermined depth (position immediately before key press detection) when pressed, the key touch feel is weak until returning to the non-key pressed state.
A natural musical instrument piano has a characteristic pattern in which the key touch is heavy until halfway in the pressing direction, and the key touch becomes light when the “jack” is removed. Therefore, in the illustrated control example, a key touch feeling that simulates the piano touch of the natural musical instrument can be obtained.

  When the key is pressed, after the first and second key switches are turned on, the pressing force is weakened to slightly return the key, and after the first and second key switches are turned off, the pressed position detection sensor 7 When the key is pressed again after the key is returned to the pressed position where the (second position detection sensor 32) does not detect the proximity of the permanent magnet, the first and second key switches are kept in a weak braking force state. Can be turned on again. As a result, in the state where the braking force is weak, the pronunciation of the same key pitch can be re-sound at short intervals. In this way, a performance with a fast passage, such as a “trill” performance technique, can be performed with a weak braking force.

FIGS. 5-8 is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st-3rd specific example of the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. The number of keys of the keyboard device is 88. The structure of the mechanical system is not limited to that shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a first specific example of the load circuit 6 without the pressing position detection sensor 7 and the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ denote rotary DC generators D ₁ having the same structure and the same characteristics assigned to each of 88 key body parts (a plurality of white key body parts 11 and a plurality of black key body parts 12). ~D is _88.
The load circuits 6 _{1 to} 6 ₈₈ are load circuits connected to the rotary DC generators D _{1 to} D ₈₈ , and the contents thereof are variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ .

In a natural musical instrument piano, the key touch feeling becomes heavier among the 88 keys whose pitch is lower. In order to perform the key touch feeling and scaling associated with this, in this specific example, the lower the key, the smaller the resistance value of the variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ , and the electricity consumed by Joule heat. The energy is increased, and in accordance with this, manual adjustment is performed so that the lower the key, the greater the braking force of the rotary DC generators 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ increases.
At least a part or all of the variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ may be replaced with a fixed resistor having a resistance value designed in advance.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second specific example of the load circuit 6 without the pressing position detection sensor 7 and the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG.
The rotary DC generators D _{1 to} D ₈₈ are not shown.
In the first specific example described above with reference to FIG. 5, the variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ adjust the resistance value for each key. On the other hand, in the second example, the 88 key ranges are grouped, and the interlock adjustment is performed so that the resistance values of the variable resistors in the range are the same for each range.

In the illustrated example, the sound is divided into _four sound ranges G _{1 to} G ₄ . For example, for the sound range G ₁ , the variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₂₄ in the sound range are made into ₂₄ linked variable resistors VR _G1 by using the rotation axis of the operator as a mechanical common axis.
The tone range G ₁ is the lowest octave range of 2 octaves, the tone range G ₂ is the next 2 octaves, the tone range G ₃ is the next 2 octaves, and the tone range G ₄ is the highest tone range 2 octaves + 4 keys.
The lower the sound range, the smaller the resistance value, the greater the braking force, and the heavier key touch feel, so that key touch feel and scaling are performed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first specific example of the load circuit 6 when the pressed position detection sensor 7 and the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG.
This specific example uses the pressed position detection sensor 7 (position detection sensors 31, 32) for detecting the first and second movement positions of the slider 19 shown in FIG. 3, and realizes the control mode shown in FIG. At the same time, the key touch feeling and scaling are also performed.
The rotary DC generators D ₁ to D ₈₈ are not shown except for 14 ₁ and 14 _n . n Among 1-88 shows a key of an arbitrary number, in the illustrated example, shows a number of keys included in the range G _4.
All keys are divided into 4 ranges G _{1 to} G ₄ . Within each range, the resistance value is set to the same value.

In the figure, 41 ₁ to 41 ₈₈ is a switching element, that although the circuit symbols are shown with FET (field effect transistor), which are electrically on-off control, the internal resistance of the ON state is small If it is. If an electromagnetic relay or MOS-FET is used, a resistance value extremely close to 0 [Ω] can be obtained.
The circuit symbol indicating the resistor R is not numbered. Resistors R having the same resistance value are given the same subscript.
Position detecting sensor 31 ₁ to 31 _n to 31 _88, the position detecting sensor 32 ₁ to 32 _n to 31 ₈₈ are those provided to correspond to the position detecting sensors 31 and 32 shown in FIG. 3 to 88 keys.
42 _{1 to} 42 _{n to} 42 ₈₈ are RS flip-flops provided corresponding to 88 keys.

The load circuit with the key number n will be described.
The output of the rotary current generator D _n are connected in series circuit consisting of a resistor R ₄ and the resistor R _0. Resistor R ₄ (eg, 10Ω) is of the highest range G ₄ . For range G ₃ are resistors R ₃ (e.g., 3 [Omega]), the resistor R ₂ for range G ₂ (eg, 0.5 .OMEGA), resistor R ₁ is for the lowest range G ₁ (e.g., 0.01 Ohm) is used.
A switching element 41 _n is connected to the resistor R ₀ in parallel. When the switching element 41 _n is a FET, the drain and source electrodes of the FET are connected to the resistor R _0, and the inverted Q output of the RS flip-flop 42 _n is connected to the gate electrode of the FET via the resistor R _g. Will be added. When the inverted Q output of the RS flip-flop 42 _n is 1 (high level), the switching element 41 _n is turned on.

The resistor R ₀ in the load circuit of each key has the same value of high resistance (100 to 1 MΩ) for all keys, for example, 100 kΩ, but may be omitted.
When the switching element 41 _n is turned on, the load resistance value of the rotary DC generator 14 _n becomes the resistance value of the resistor R ₄ . Since the load resistance value of the rotary DC generator is smaller in the lower sound range group, the braking force of the rotary DC generator is increased and the key touch felt by the performer's finger is felt heavier. Since the resistance values of the resistors R _{1 to} R ₄ are relatively small, the wiring from the output terminal of the rotary DC generator D _n to the load circuit, the resistance value of the internal wiring of the load circuit, and the on-resistance value of the switching element are also ignored. Since it is not possible, the resistance value of the resistor is set in consideration of these. When a value close to 0Ω is set, the output terminal of the rotary DC generator 14 _n may be short-circuited with a conducting wire.

The RS flip-flop 42 _n is in a reset state when the power is turned on. Therefore, the inverted Q output is 1, the switching element 41 _n is turned on, and the load circuit has the low resistance value of the resistor R ₄ .
As shown in FIG. 4, when the position detection sensor 32 outputs a pulse that temporarily becomes 1 immediately after the start of key depression of the key number n, the RS flip-flop 42 _n is reset, but when the power is turned on. And no different. The result is a heavy key touch feel.

As the pressed key is further depressed, when the position detection sensor 31 _n outputs a pulse that temporarily becomes 1 in the second half depression section, the RS flip-flop 42 _n is set, so that the load circuit has the resistor R _0. The key touch feeling changes, and a feeling of falling off is obtained.
Since the high resistance value is maintained as it is in the stroke at the time of key release, the position detection sensor is in a position immediately before returning to the non-key pressing state (= the pressing position immediately after the key pressing) because the braking force is weak. 32 _n outputs a pulse that temporarily becomes 1, the RS flip-flop 42 _n is reset, and the load circuit changes to the resistance value of the resistor R ₄ . As a result, it becomes a heavy key touch similar to the initial state, and prepares for the next key press start.
Note that if the position detection sensor 32 _n detects the position returned to the non-key-pressed state (= key press start position), the detection operation when returning to the non-key-pressed state becomes uncertain. Therefore, the detection of returning to the non-key-pressed state is defined as “a pressed position immediately after the key is pressed”.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a second specific example of the load circuit 6 when the pressed position detection sensor 7 and the load value control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 are involved.
This specific example uses the pressed position detection sensor 7 shown in FIG. 1 and changes the resistance value of the load circuit 6 (load circuit 50 _n ) shown in FIG. 1 according to the current pressed position of the key body 1. Thus, the key touch feeling is changed according to the current pressed position of the key body 1.
In FIG. 3 described above, the proximity of one permanent magnet provided on the slider 19 is detected by the position detection sensors 31 and 32 provided at two locations on the frame 13 side.
Instead, in this specific example, a large number of three or more position detection sensors are arranged in the movement path of the slider 19. By identifying the installation position of the position detection sensor that has detected the proximity of the permanent magnet, the current movement position of the slider 19 and, in turn, the pressing position of the white key main body 11 is detected.
In addition, the moving direction of the slider 19, that is, whether the movement of the key body 11 is the pressing direction or the key returning direction is also detected according to the direction in which the position detection sensor that detects the proximity of the permanent magnet changes.

Alternatively, the slider 19 is provided with a first magnetic scale row in which a large number of permanent magnets are arranged at equal intervals, and is shifted by a half of the magnetic scale interval in the linear movement direction with respect to the first magnetic scale row. A second magnetic scale column is provided.
The first and second magnetic scale columns are detected by the first and second magnetoresistive elements, respectively. By discriminating the moving direction of the slider 19 based on the detection order of the permanent magnets by the first and second magnetoresistive elements, it is also detected whether the movement of the white key main body 11 is the pressing direction or the key returning direction.
The number of permanent magnets detected by one of the magnetoresistive elements is counted up / down in accordance with the moving direction of the slider 19, so that the current moving position of the slider 19, and thus the pressed position of the white key main body 11, is counted. Identify by

In such a method of detecting the position of a moving body using a scale, two optical sensors are used. In Patent Document 1 cited in the description of the background art, FIG. 25, FIG. 27, FIG. It is explained with reference to.
The circuit configuration shown in FIG. 8 is based on the assumption that such a position detection sensor detects the movement position of the slider 19 and thus the pressed position of the white key main body 11 and also detects the current movement direction. Will be explained.

First, the load circuit 50 _n of the rotary DC generator 14 _n assigned to the key with a certain key number _n will be described. The load circuit 50 _n has a resistance value set as a digital value.
In the figure, as an example, reference numerals 71 to 80 denote weight resistances determined by 10-digit binary numbers. Reference numerals 81 to 90 denote switching elements such as MOS-FETs, each of which corresponds to one weight resistor 71 to 80, respectively.

When a certain switching element is on, a corresponding weight resistor is connected to the rotary DC generator 14 _n to function as a load. On the other hand, when a certain switching element is off, the corresponding weight resistor is disconnected from the rotary DC generator 14 _n .
The load resistance value of the rotary DC generator 14 _n changes depending on the combination of turning on and off of the switching elements 81 to 90.
A resistor 91 is inserted into the gate circuit of the FET when an FET is assumed as the switching elements 81 to 90.

If the resistance value of the weight resistor 71 is 2 × Ra (Ra indicates the resistance value), the resistance value of the weight resistor 72 is 4 × Ra, the resistance value is sequentially doubled, and the resistance value of the weight resistor 80 is 1024 × Ra. If the switching elements 81 to 90 are all off, the load resistance value is ∞. If the switching elements 81 to 90 are all on, the load resistance value is (1024/1023) × Ra≈Ra.
When the electromotive force of the rotary DC generator 14 _n is E [V], the current value flowing through the load circuit is changed from 0 [A] to (1023/1024) E / Ra [A] (1/1024) Set E / Ra [A] as one unit. In other words, the conductance of the load circuit 50 _n is set in units of 1 / (1024 Ra).
When Ra = 0.01Ω, the load resistance value changes from approximately 0.01Ω to 10.24Ω in addition to ∞ (off).
The above is the load circuit 50 _n corresponding to the key number n.

The load circuit 50 _n described above sets a resistance value directly by a digital value. On the other hand, the digital value may be A / D converted into a voltage once, and the voltage control variable resistance circuit may be controlled by the obtained voltage. As the voltage controlled variable resistance circuit, for example, the variable resistance characteristic of a junction FET is used.

In FIG. 8, the flow of data indicating the resistance value is described, and the CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is the main body of selection control and transfer control is not shown.
Reference numerals 51 to 54 denote ROMs (Read Only Memory) which store data of resistance characteristic patterns A to D with respect to key pressing positions.
As specific examples of the characteristic patterns A to D, A: harpsichord touch, B: piano touch, C: pipe organ touch, and D: standard organ touch will be described later with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 55 denotes a selector, which reads one characteristic pattern stored in one of the ROMs 51 to 54 to a RAM (Ramdom Access Memory) 77 by operating the selection switch 56.

The selection switch 56 selects the characteristic pattern itself. However, in the electronic musical instrument, the characteristic pattern may be selected in conjunction with an operation of setting the instrument tone color in the sound source circuit. Further, whether or not to perform key touch feeling / scaling that changes the braking force according to the pitch or the range may be automatically set according to the musical instrument tone color. For example, a key touch feeling / scaling is performed for piano sounds, and a key touch feeling / scaling is not performed for harpsichord sounds, pipe organ sounds, and standard organ sounds.
Also, the player may be able to select whether or not to perform key touch feeling / scaling independently of the selection of the instrument tone color.

58 _n is a key pressing position detecting unit for the key number n, 59 _n is a pressing direction / key returning direction detecting unit for the key number n, and indicates whether the movement of the key is the pressing direction or the key returning direction. To detect.
In the description of FIG. 8, as described above, the key movement position and the pressing / returning direction are detected based on the movement position and movement direction of the slider 19 in FIGS.
60 _n is a 10-bit output latch (output register) corresponding to the key number n.

If the characteristic pattern A is transferred and stored in the RAM 57, the characteristic pattern stored in the RAM 57 under the condition that the pressing direction / key return direction detection unit 59 _n detects that the movement is in the pressing direction. From the data table of A, 10-bit resistance value data corresponding to the current pressed position output by the key pressed position detector 58 _n is read and transferred to the output latch 60 _n . In the load circuit 50 _n , the switching elements 81 to 90 are turned on and off according to the resistance value data. In each digit of 10-bit resistance value data, if it is 1 (high level), it is turned on, and the corresponding digit resistor is connected in parallel to the rotary DC generator 14 _n .

On the other hand, under the condition that the pressing direction / key return direction detector 59 _n detects that the movement is in the key return direction, the 10-bit all 0 is output from the RAM 57 as resistance value data to the output latch 60 _n. Forwarded to In this case, the switching elements 81 to 90 are turned off, the load resistance becomes ∞, and the rotary DC generator 14 _n does not apply a braking force to the key body, so that the movement in the key return direction is performed at high speed.

However, the pressing direction and the key returning direction do not necessarily match the strokes at the time of key depression and the strokes at the time of key release described with reference to FIG. For example, there may be a case where the key is pressed in the pressing direction during the process of releasing the key.
Therefore, the position detection sensors 31 and 32 shown in FIG. 4 may be used, and the characteristic pattern in the section from the upper limit position to the position of the position detection sensor 31 may be changed to be stored in the ROMs 51 to 54.

In this case, after the position detection sensor 31 detects pressing of the key, 10-bit all 0 is transferred from the RAM 57 as resistance value data to the output latch 60 _n . Thereafter, when the position detection sensor 32 detects that the key has returned to the pressed position immediately after the key is pressed, the resistance value corresponding to the current pressed position is again obtained from the data table of the characteristic pattern A stored in the RAM 57. Data is read out and transferred to the output latch 60 _n .

The above description is for the key of keyboard number n. For all 88 keys, a key pressing position detector 58 _n , a pressing direction / key return direction detector 59 _n , a load circuit 50 _n and an output latch 60 _n are provided. On the other hand, the ROMs 51 to 54, the selector 55, the selection switch 56, and the RAM 57 have a common configuration for all keys.
When the characteristic pattern for the key press position is made different according to the pitch or the range of the key, it is necessary to store the characteristic patterns according to the pitch or the range in the ROMs 51 to 54.

However, the shape of the change in the characteristic pattern does not change, but when the value is increased or decreased according to the pitch or range of the key as a whole, the overall value according to the pitch or range of the key (Reference level value) is stored, and the value obtained by calculating (typically multiplying) the reference level value and the value obtained from the characteristic pattern may be transferred from the RAM 67 to the output latch 60 _n .

In the above description, the load circuit 50 _{n in} which the resistance value is set as a digital value is used to make the resistance value preset in accordance with the pressed position. However, this load circuit 50 _n should be used in place of the resistors of variable resistance values (VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ ) and fixed resistance values (R _{1 to} R ₄ ) shown in FIGS. You can also. In this case, the setting change is simplified because it is digitally controlled. The digital value may be read out from the ROM preset as in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the characteristic pattern stored in the ROMs 51 to 54 shown in FIG. The horizontal axis indicates the pressed position of the key body, and the vertical axis indicates the conductance (reciprocal of the resistance value) of the load circuit. Therefore, the direction of the vertical axis corresponds to the direction in which the braking force by the rotary DC generator 14 _n increases. However, strictly speaking, the braking force also changes depending on the key pressing speed. The player's finger feels the addition of the elastic force, inertial force, and frictional force in the mechanical system in addition to the braking force by the rotary DC generator 14 _n .

In FIG. 9A, immediately after the key is pressed, the resistance value is high (the braking force is small), and when the key is pressed, the resistance value gradually decreases (the braking force increases), but when the key is further pressed, the resistance value increases again. (Braking force is reduced). In the key return direction (not shown), the resistance value is increased (the braking force is decreased).
If this characteristic pattern is selected, a large braking force is gradually applied when the key is depressed, and there is a sense of resistance in touching the key. However, after that, the key touch is light until the key is not pressed. This characteristic pattern simulates the key touch feeling of the natural instrument “harpsichord”.

In FIG. 9 (b), when the key is depressed, the resistance value is low (the braking force is large), the low resistance value is maintained up to about half the depth of the maximum key depression stroke, and when the key is further depressed, the resistance value is increased again (control value). The power is small), and the resistance value is high (the braking force is small) even in the key return direction (not shown).
If this characteristic pattern is selected, there is a feeling of resistance in the key touch in the first half key pressing section of the key pressing, but thereafter the key touch is light until the key is released. This characteristic pattern simulates the key touch feeling of a natural musical instrument “piano”.

In FIG. 9C, when the key is depressed, the resistance value is considerably low (braking force is considerably large), and the same resistance value is maintained until the pushing position (lower limit position). Becomes high (the braking force is small).
If this characteristic pattern is selected, there is a great resistance to the key touch in the pressing direction, but the key touch is light in the key return direction. This characteristic pattern simulates the key touch feeling of a natural instrument “pipe organ”.
In FIG. 9D, a high resistance value (small braking force) is maintained in both the pressing direction and the key return direction. If this characteristic pattern is selected, a light key touch is achieved. This characteristic pattern simulates the key touch feeling of a “standard organ” of a natural musical instrument.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a light emitter (visible light generator, electric / visible light converter) is used as the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 101 _{1 to} 101 ₈₈ denote light emitters used as load circuits of the rotary DC generators 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ provided corresponding to the key with the key number n.
The light emitters 101 _{1 to} 101 ₈₈ consume electric energy by converting the electric energy supplied from the rotary DC generators 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ into light energy. Usually, since Joule heat is also generated, it acts as a resistor.

Specific examples of the light emitters 101 _{1 to} 101 ₈₈ are incandescent light bulbs (filament light bulbs) and light emitting diodes. Incandescent bulbs can carry large currents. Unless a large current is applied, it is difficult to feel that the key touch feels heavy. The incandescent bulb also has a characteristic that the resistance value is low when the current starts to flow and the resistance value increases when the metal filament is heated. be able to.

By arranging the light emitters 101 _{1 to} 101 ₈₈ at a position where the relationship with the corresponding key is known, for example, the same position as a guide lamp for guiding the key operation, the pressed key is placed on the light emitter 101 _1. to 101 or to know the presence or absence of light emission of _88, or can the intensity of key depression to be seen in the emission intensity of the emitter ₁₀₁₁ to 101 _88.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a resistor and a visible light generator are used as the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. In the figure, VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ are the variable resistors described with reference to FIG. 5, Rb is a resistor inserted in the base circuit, 111 _{1 to} 111 ₈₈ are transistors, and 112 _{1 to} 112 ₈₈ are light emitting diodes. .
Since the light-emitting diode has a small current consumption, it is used for visual display of the key pressed and the key pressing intensity, and the electric energy supplied from the rotary DC generators 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ is VR ₁ to VR. It is intended to be consumed at ₈₈ .

The electromotive force supplied from the rotary DC generator 14 ₁ is applied to the variable resistor VR ₁ and simultaneously applied to the base of the transistor 111 ₁ via the resistor Rb, the transistor 111 ₁ is turned on, and By the current amplification, the light emitting diode 112 ₁ connected between the separate power source (+ V) and the collector of the switching transistor 111 ₁ emits light. Due to the current amplification, the emission intensity changes according to the electromotive force.
The variable resistors VR _{1 to} VR ₈₈ may be fixed resistors. The resistance value is, for example, 0.1 to 1 [Ω]. In the load circuit shown in FIGS. 6-8, with respect to rotary direct current generator 14 _{1-14 88,} transistors 111 ₁ to 111 _88, shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting diode 112 _{1-112 88} and another power source ( + V) can be added.

FIG. 12 is a right side view showing a second specific embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a rocking lever 122 described later is used as the interlocking member 3 shown in FIG. 1, and a rotary DC generator 124 is used as the generator 5. As the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. 1, the load circuit shown in FIGS. 5 to 11 is used.
Those corresponding to the pressed position detection sensor 7 shown in FIG. 1 are not shown. The rotational position of the swing lever 122 may be detected. For example, by embedding a small permanent magnet in the base (122a to 122e) of the swing lever 122, the connecting portion 122f, or the circular arc plate 122g, the position detection sensors 31 and 32 shown in FIG. It is detected by the same position detection sensor. Alternatively, a position detection sensor similar to the key pressing position detection unit 58 _n and the pressing direction / key return direction detection unit 59 _n described with reference to FIG. 8 is used.

In the figure, 121 is a white key body, 122 is a swing lever, 123 is a frame, 124 is a rotary DC generator, and 125 is a generator support.
The swing lever 122 converts the pressing motion of the white key main body 121 into a rotational motion, and the moving distance of the arc plate 122g of the swing lever 122 is larger than the pressing moving distance of the white key main body 121. Because of the large, there is also a speed increasing function.

Since the swing lever 122 is a modification of the pseudo hammer of the electronic keyboard instrument with a pseudo hammer, it can be realized by utilizing the structure of an existing electronic keyboard instrument.
The rotary DC generator 124 may include a speed increasing gear mechanism in its frame.
The swing lever 122 and the rotary DC generator 124 are assigned to the white key main body 121, but the black key main body (not shown) also has the same shape of the swing lever and the rotary type. A DC generator is assigned.

  In the frame 123, 123a is a front end portion, 123b is a white key key guide, 123c is an inclined switch mounting portion, 123d is a vertical plate portion, 123e is a swing support portion, 123f is a horizontal plate portion, and 123g is a black key key. A guide, 123h is a key support portion, 123i is a top plate, 123j is a rotation guide portion, and 123k is a lower rear end. These are extended in the key arrangement direction. 123L is a vertical rib, for example, arranged at a position where white keys are adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction, and connects the vertical plate portion 123d, the horizontal plate portion 123f, the key support portion 123h, and the rear end lower portion 123k to each other. The frame 123 is reinforced. 123m is also a vertical rib, and the key support portion 123h and the upper surface plate 123i are coupled to each other to reinforce the frame 123.

  A white key guide 123b and a lower limit stopper (member such as felt) 126 are provided on the upper surface of the front end portion 123a. A printed circuit board 127 is attached to the lower surface of the switch mounting part 123c adjacent to the front end part 123a, and a key switch 128 is provided on the printed circuit board 127, and is pressed by the switch driving part 122c of the swing lever 122. A key pressing operation of the white key main body 121 is detected. The key switch 128 has a two-circuit switch that operates with a time difference, and detects key depression and key depression speed.

A vertical plate portion 123d that is adjacent to the upper end of the switch mounting portion 123c and is connected by a rib is provided upright.
The rear end of the horizontal plate portion 123f is connected to the key support portion 123h, and the key fulcrum 121c of the white key main body portion 121 is supported. An upper limit stopper (member such as felt) 129 for the swing lever 122 is attached to the lower surface of the upper surface plate 123i adjacent to the key support portion 123h. The rotation guide portion 123j adjacent to the upper surface plate 123i regulates the position of the arc plate 122g provided on the free end side of the swing lever in the key arrangement direction.

The rear end lower portion 123k is engaged with a mounting plate 131 to which a lower limit stopper (member such as felt) 130 for the swing lever 122 is fixed.
A generator mounting plate 136 is disposed adjacent to the rear end lower portion 123k, a generator support 125 is provided on the generator mounting plate 136, and the rotary DC generator 124 is mounted thereon. On the extension of the center line of the rotary shaft of the rotary DC generator 124, there is a swing support portion 123e of the swing lever 122.
Also in this embodiment, the rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 124 is arranged on a plane orthogonal to the key arrangement direction.

About the white key main-body part 121, the longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the key longitudinal direction is shown.
121a is a front end portion, 121b is a swing lever driving portion, 121c is a key fulcrum, and 121d is a return spring engaging portion. Various configurations are known as the key fulcrum 121c. In this figure, the key fulcrum 121c is simply indicated by a circle, and the illustration of the structure is omitted.
The swing lever driving portion 121b protrudes downward from the top surface inside the key at the front position in the longitudinal direction of the key, and the engagement piece 132 is fixed to the lower end portion thereof.

Next, the swing lever 122 will be described. About the base, the longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the key longitudinal direction is shown.
122a is a main driven portion, 122b is a sub driven portion, 122c is a switch driving portion, 122d is a cylindrical rocking fulcrum, 122e is a return spring engaging portion, 122f is a connecting portion, and 122g is an arc plate.
The main driven portion 122a, the sub driven portion 122b, the switch driving portion 122c, the cylindrical swing fulcrum 122d, and the return spring engaging portion 122e constitute a base portion of the swing lever 122, and this base portion is formed of synthetic resin. A metal connecting portion 122f extends from the rear end, and a circular arc plate 122g is provided on the free end side of the connecting portion 122f.
A rack 133 is provided on the right side surface of the arc plate 122g. The center point of the arc plate 122g and the rack 133 is at the swing fulcrum 122d. On the other hand, the extension line of the connecting portion 122f passes below the swing fulcrum 122d.
The rack 133 is meshed with a pinion 134 fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 124.

The main driven portion 122a and the sub driven portion 122b are engaged so as to sandwich the engaging piece 132 of the swing lever driving portion 121b.
In the non-key-pressed state, the lower surface on the free end side of the connecting portion 123 d of the swing lever 123 is in contact with the lower limit stopper 130. The white key main body 121 is pressed, and the rocking lever 123 rotates around the rocking fulcrum 122d in conjunction with the key pressing operation of the white key main body 121.

A spring 135 is stretched between the spring engagement portion 121d and the spring engagement portion 122e. When the edge portion of the opening 123n provided in the horizontal flat plate portion 123f is used as a fulcrum portion and the center of the spring 135 is locked to the edge portion, the spring 135 is distorted into an S shape by elasticity.
When the upper surface on the free end side of the coupling portion 122f of the swing lever 122 abuts on the upper limit stopper 129 (see 122 ′ in the drawing), the upper limit of the swing lever 122 is regulated.
The spring 135 presses the white key main body 121 against the key support 123h on the frame 123 side, and presses the swing lever 122 against the swing support 123e on the frame 123 side. The return force is given by the swing lever 122, but the key return force may be slightly given by the spring 135. In the case of attaching a spring that gives a key returning force, the shape is not limited to the illustrated spring 135, and the mounting position of the spring is not limited to the illustrated position.

As a result of the pivoting of the swing lever 123, the circular arc plate 122 g rotates, the pinion 134 that meshes with the rack 133 rotates, and the rotary DC generator 124 generates electromotive force that is connected to the rotary DC generator 124. As a result of the kinetic energy being converted into Joule heat via electric energy in the load circuit (not shown), the rotary DC generator 124 generates a braking force on the swing lever 122.
The braking force of the rotary DC generator 124 is transmitted as a reaction force to the player's finger pressing the white key main body 121 via the engagement piece 132 described above.
In addition, since the inertial moment is generated in the mass of the swing lever 122, a mass feeling is given as a reaction force to the finger pressing the white key main body 121 via the engagement piece 132 described above.

FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a third specific embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a rear view for explaining the details of the arc plate 144 shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, a swing lever 142 described later is used as the interlocking member 3 shown in FIG. 1, a rotary DC generator 143 is used as the generator 5, and the main body of the rotary DC generator 143 is a swing lever. 142. Also in this embodiment, the rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 143 is arranged on a plane orthogonal to the key arrangement direction.
As the load circuit 6 shown in FIG. 1, the load circuit shown in FIGS. 5 to 11 is used.
Those corresponding to the pressed position detection sensor 7 are not shown. Similar to FIG. 12, it is only necessary to detect the rotational position of a swing lever 122 described later.

In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
Reference numeral 141 is a frame, 142 is a swing lever, and 143 is a rotary DC generator. In this specific example, the rotary DC generator 143 placed on the swing lever 142 also serves as a swinging mass body.
Since the frame 141 and the swing lever 142 have many structures in common with the frame 123 and the swing lever 122 shown in FIG. 12, common portions are denoted by the same subscripts and description thereof is omitted.

The swing lever 142 converts a pressing motion of the white key main body 121 into a rotational motion and has a speed increasing function.
The swing lever 142 can also be realized by using the structure of an existing electronic keyboard instrument, similarly to the swing lever 122 shown in FIG.
The rotary DC generator 143 may include a speed increasing gear mechanism in its frame.
The swing lever 142 and the rotary DC generator 143 are assigned to the white key main body 121, but the black key main body (not shown) also has the same shape of the swing lever and the rotary type. A DC generator is assigned.

In the frame 141, 141o is an extension plate, 141p is an upper surface plate, 141q is a rear end plate, and 141r is an arc plate upper mounting portion. These are extended in the key arrangement direction in the above order. Reference numeral 141s denotes a vertical rib, which reinforces the frame 141 by mutually connecting the stepped portions reaching the key support portion 141h, the extension plate 141o, and the upper surface plate 141p. 141t is a vertical rib that connects the rear end plate 141q and the arc plate upper mounting portion 141r to each other and reinforces the mounting portion 141r.
An upper limit stopper (member such as felt) 129 for the swing lever 142 is attached to the lower surface of the upper surface plate 141p. The above-described attachment portion 141r adjacent to the rear end plate 141q is for attaching the arc plate 144 to the frame 141.

In FIG. 14, the arc plate 144 is temporarily fixed to the lower surface of the arc plate upper mounting portion 141r by projections 141u and 141v formed in the key arrangement direction, and is aligned in the key arrangement direction.
The arc plate 144 has a main body portion 144b formed in an arc shape on a support portion 144a, and an upper portion thereof is attached to the above-described arc plate upper mounting portion 141r.

The main body portion 144b of the circular arc plate 144 is the right side portion of FIG. 14, has a thickness in the longitudinal direction of the key (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface), and the front portion on the left side is a guide portion 144c. A long hole 144d is formed in the guide portion 144c along the arc surface.
On the other hand, a rack 145 is provided on the left side surface of the main body 144b. As shown in FIG. 13, the tooth row of the rack 145 is bent, and the extended line of the inclination of each tooth is in the swing support portion 141 e of the frame 141.
Triangular vertical ribs 144e are formed on the rear surface of the main body 144b, and are joined to the main body 144b and the support 144a to reinforce the arc plate 144.

  In the swing lever 142 shown in FIG. 13, a generator mounting portion 142g is provided on the free end side of the connecting portion 142f, and a rotary DC generator 143 is mounted. The rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 143 is inserted into a long hole 144d formed in the guide portion 144c of the arc plate 144. A pinion 146 is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the pinion 146 meshes with a rack 145 provided on the arc plate 144. In the non-key-pressed state, the lower surface on the free end side of the connecting portion 142 f of the swing lever 142 is in contact with the lower limit stopper (member such as felt) 130.

When the white key main body 121 is pressed and the swing lever 142 rotates, the pinion 146 fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary DC generator 143 rolls along the rack 145, so that the rotary DC The generator 143 is driven to rotate.
The upper end of the generator attachment portion 142g is bent at a right angle to form an upper limit stopper contact portion 142h. When the upper limit stopper contact portion 142h contacts the upper limit stopper 129, the upper limit of the swing lever 142 is regulated (see 142f ′ and 143 ′).

Accordingly, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the rotary DC generator 143 generates an electromotive force, and the kinetic energy is converted into Joule heat through electrical energy in a load circuit (not shown), resulting in the rotary DC power generation. The machine 143 generates a braking force against the swing lever 142.
This braking force is transmitted to the performer's finger pressing the white key main body 121 via the engagement piece 132, and the key touch feeling is increased. Accordingly, the swing lever 142 can be manufactured lightly.
The moment of inertia generated by the mass of the rotary DC generator 143 is also transmitted to the performer's finger pressing the white key body 121 through the engagement piece 132, giving a sense of mass.

It is a functional block diagram explaining embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the 1st specific embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of the structure of the slider and slider guide plate in embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of control according to a pressed position by the control unit shown in FIG. 1 in the structure of the keyboard device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st specific example of the load circuit which does not accompany the press position detection sensor and control part which were shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd specific example of the load circuit which does not accompany the press position detection sensor and control part which were shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st specific example of a load circuit in the case of accompanied with the pressing position detection sensor and control part which were shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd specific example of a load circuit in the case where the pressing position detection sensor and control part which were shown in FIG. 1 are accompanied. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the characteristic pattern stored in ROM shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the example which uses a visible light generator as a load circuit shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the example which uses a resistor and a visible light generator as a load circuit shown in FIG. It is a right view which shows the 2nd specific embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the 3rd specific embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view explaining the detail of the circular arc plate shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... key body, 2 ... key return member, 3 ... interlocking member, 4 ... force generator, 5 ... generator, 6,6 _{1-6 88,} 50 ₁ to 50 ₈₈ ... load circuit, 7 ... pressed position Detection sensor, 8 ... Load value control unit 11 ... White key body, 11a ... Stopper piece, 11b ... Key side wall, 11c ... Actuator, 11d ... Guide groove, 11e ... Key fulcrum, 11f ... Return spring mounting part, 12 ... Black Key body,
13 ... Frame, 13a ... Stopper support, 13b ... Key guide, 13c ... Frame base, 13d ... Rear fall, 13e ... Hemispherical projection,
14, 14 _{1 to} 14 ₈₈ , 28, 124, 143... Rotating DC generator, 14a... Rotating shaft, 15... Key support, 16.
18 ... Link mechanism (interlocking member), 18a to 18b ... Link (node), 18e, 18f, 18g, 18m ... Pin, 18h ... Insertion groove, 18i, 18k ... Perforated slider, 18j ... Roller, 18n ... rotation end,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Slider (interlocking member), 19a ... Rack, 19b ... Hole, 19c ... Vertical part, 19d ... Horizontal part, 19e ... Groove, 20 ... Pinion, 221 ... Fixed axis support part, 21a ... Short axis, 22 ... Rolling Sub guide plate, 22a ... long hole, 22b ... vertical part, 22c ... horizontal part, 23 ... slider guide plate, 23a, 23a '... long projection part, 24, 25 ... key return spring, 26 ... upper limit stopper, 27 ... Lower limit stopper,
31, 31 _{1 to} 31 ₈₈ , 32, 32 _{1 to} 32 ₈₈ ... position detection sensor, 41 _{1 to} 41 ₈₈ ... switching element, 42 _{1 to} 42 ₈₈ ... flip-flop, 55 ... selector, 56 ... selection switch, 58 ₁ to 58 ₈₈ ... pressed position detection unit, 59 _{1 to} 59 ₈₈ ... pressing direction / key return direction detection unit, 60 _{1 to} 60 ₈₈ ... output latch, 71 to 80 ... weight resistor, 81 to 90 ... switching element, 101 _{1 to} 101 ₈₈ ... luminous body (electrical / visible light converter), 111 _{1 to} 111 ₈₈ ... switching transistor, 112 _{1 to} 112 ₈₈ ... light emitting diode,
121 ... White key body part, 121a ... Front end part, 121b ... Swing lever driving part, 121c ... Key fulcrum, 121d ... Spring engaging part,
122, 142 ... swing lever (interlocking member), 122a, 142a ... main driven portion, 122b, 142b ... sub driven portion, 122c, 142c ... switch drive portion, 122d, 142d ... swing support point, 122e, 142e ... Spring engaging part, 122f, 142f ... connecting part, 122g ... arc plate, 123, 142g ... generator mounting part, 142h ... upper limit stopper contact part,
123, 141 ... Frame, 123a, 141a ... Front end, 123b, 141b ... Key guide, 123c, 141c ... Switch mounting part, 123d, 141d ... Vertical plate part, 123e, 141e ... Swing support part, 123f, 141f ... Horizontal Plate part, 123g, 141g ... Black key id, 123h, 141h ... Key support part, 123i, 141p ... Top plate, 123j ... Turning guide part, 123k ... Rear end lower part, 123L, 141L, 123m ... Vertical rib, 123n , 141n ... opening, 141o ... extension plate, 141q ... rear end plate, 141r ... arc plate upper mounting portion, 141s, 141t ... vertical rib, 141u, 141v ... projection,
125: Generator support, 126: Lower limit stopper, 127: Printed circuit board, 128: Key switch, 129 ... Upper limit stopper, 130 ... Lower limit stopper, 131 ... Mounting plate, 132 ... Engagement piece, 133 ... Rack, 134 ... Pinion 135 ... Spring, 136 ... Generator mounting plate,
144 ... Arc plate, 144a ... support portion, 144b ... main body portion, 144c ... guide portion, 144d ... long hole, 144e ... vertical rib, 145 ... rack, 146 ... pinion

Claims (11)

A frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, and a force that generates a force sense according to the movement of the key body portion In a keyboard device having a sense of sensation generating means,
The force sense generating means includes a generator that is driven in accordance with the movement of the key body, and a load circuit that is electrically connected to the generator and to which an electromotive force generated in the generator is applied.
A keyboard device characterized in that a key touch feeling is created by both a force sense generated by the force sense generation means and a key return force by the key return means. It moves in conjunction with the drive part of the key body part, and has an interlocking member having a speed increasing part that is increased more than the moving speed of the fastest moving part of the key body part,
The driven part of the generator is driven by a speed increasing portion of the interlocking member,
The keyboard device according to claim 1. The load circuit is a variable impedance circuit,
According to the value of the resistance component of the variable impedance circuit, the key touch feeling is changed by changing the force sense generated by the force sense generating means.
The keyboard device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The value of the resistance component of the load circuit is not changed until the pressed position of the key body is before the key is detected in the stroke of the key body or when the key is detected. A load value control means for increasing the value of the resistance component of the load circuit after the key body portion has been pressed down and the pressing position of the key body portion has reached the middle position;
The keyboard device according to claim 3, comprising: A position detection sensor for detecting a pressed position of the key body,
A load value control means for controlling the value of the resistance component of the load circuit in accordance with the pressed position detected by the position detection sensor in the stroke of the key body when the key is pressed;
The keyboard device according to claim 3, comprising: Characteristic storage means for storing a characteristic pattern of a value of a resistance component of the load circuit with respect to a pressed position of the key body by the load value control means;
The keyboard device according to claim 5. A frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, and a force that generates a force sense according to the movement of the key body portion In a keyboard device having a sense of sensation generating means,
The force sense generating means includes a generator driven in accordance with the movement of the key body, and an electric / heat that is electrically connected to the generator and converts electrical energy generated by the generator into Joule heat. Having a converter,
A keyboard device characterized in that a key touch feeling is created by both a force sense generated by the force sense generation means and a key return force by the key return means. A frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, and a force that generates a force sense according to the movement of the key body portion In a keyboard device having a sense of sensation generating means,
The force sensation generating means includes a generator driven in accordance with the movement of the key body, and an electrical / electrical power that is electrically connected to the generator and that converts electrical energy generated by the generator into visible light energy. Having a visible light converter,
A keyboard device characterized in that a key touch feeling is created by both a force sense generated by the force sense generation means and a key return force by the key return means. The generator is a rotary generator having a rotor and a rotating shaft coupled to the rotor and rotating in accordance with the movement of the key body.
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard device is a key device. The main body portion of the rotary generator moves according to the movement of the key main body portion while the rotation shaft rolls with respect to the guide portion on the frame side.
The keyboard device according to claim 9. A frame, a key body portion movably disposed on the frame, key return means for returning the key body portion to a non-pressed state, and a force that generates a force sense according to the movement of the key body portion In a keyboard device having a sense of sensation generating means,
The force sense generating means includes a generator whose electromotive force changes according to the moving speed of the key body, and a load circuit electrically connected to the generator to which the electromotive force generated by the generator is applied. Have
A keyboard device characterized in that a key touch feeling is created by both a force sense generated by the force sense generation means and a key return force by the key return means.

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