JP2010079042A - Keyboard apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard apparatus capable of stably playing while attaining a key-depression touch feeling similar to the acoustic piano. <P>SOLUTION: The keyboard apparatus is provided with: a plurality of keys 11 rotating in connection with key depressions; and a plurality of switch members 24 which are provided respectively corresponding to the plurality of keys 11, are elastically deformed by the key depressions, and are provided at positions where the distances from rotation center parts of the keys are shorter in a treble tone part than in a bass tone part. Rotation angles of the respective keys 11 when switches of the switch members 24 are turned on are the same. When releasing the keys, the switch members 24 are in contact with the keys 11 and elastically deformed, and front ends of the keys 11 are pressed upward by the repulsive forces. The repulsive forces of the switch members 24 have characteristics that are constant in regions having small deformation of the switch members 24 and decrease in accordance with increases in the deformation thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard device used for a keyboard instrument such as an electronic organ or an electronic piano.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, for example, a keyboard device that realizes a key touch feeling similar to an acoustic piano is known. In this keyboard device, a switch member having a repulsive force is disposed at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the key is shorter in the high pitch portion than in the low pitch portion. As a result, the key pressing reaction force (reaction force received by the performer from the key when the front end of the key is pressed) is reduced in the high pitch portion compared to the low pitch portion, and a key touch feeling similar to an acoustic piano can be obtained.
Japanese Patent No. 3074797

  The switch member used in the conventional keyboard device is made of an elastic member such as rubber or silicon in common for a plurality of keys. Therefore, when the switch member is pressed by the key depression and deformed in the vertical direction, the switch member generates a reaction force corresponding to the deformation amount. The characteristic of the reaction force with respect to the amount of deformation of the switch member in the vertical direction is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the reaction force F0 of the switch member increases stepwise as the amount of vertical deformation of the switch member increases from the start of pressing. The switch member is provided with a plurality of portions that are easily elastically deformed by pressing, and they start to deform sequentially as the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member increases. Since the reaction force of the switch member is composed of the resultant reaction force generated by these portions, it has such a stepwise increase characteristic.

  Also, some conventional keyboard devices are elastically deformed by bringing a switch member into contact with the lower surface of each key in a key release state, and the front end of each key is urged upward by the reaction force. In this case, an upper limit restricting member that restricts the upward displacement of the front end of each key is engaged with each key so that the heights of the upper surfaces of the keys in the key released state are made uniform. However, in the key release state, each switch member is off.

  However, as in the above-described conventional keyboard device, the switch member is disposed at a position where the distance from the key rotation center to the switch member is shorter in the treble portion than in the bass portion, and the reaction force of the switch member is If the height of the upper surface of each key at the time of key release is made uniform using the key, the following problem occurs. That is, in this conventional keyboard device, the angle of the contact surface of the contact of the switch member during sound generation is not constant because the rotation angle of the key during sound generation (that is, when the switch member is turned on) varies depending on the sound range. It is a problem that it becomes impossible to perform. In order to solve this problem, the board on which the switch member is attached is closer to the key at the high sound part than at the low sound part (that is, when the switch member is disposed below the key, it is disposed above. Therefore, it is conceivable that the amount of deformation of the switch member in the key release state is increased in the high sound portion compared to the low sound portion. According to this, since the key rotation angle at the time of sound generation can be made the same in the entire key range, the sound generation operation can be stabilized.

  In this case, the reaction force due to the deformation of the switch member tends to be larger at the high sound portion than at the low sound portion. In this case, there is a problem that the effect of the above-described prior art for reducing the key pressing reaction force at the high sound portion compared to the low sound portion is weakened by bringing the switch member closer to the key fulcrum at the high sound portion than at the low sound portion. . This point will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the reaction force may increase as the amount of deformation increases (B1 in FIG. 8) in a range where the amount of deformation in the vertical direction is small from the start of pressing the switch member. In this case, when the key is released, the vertical deformation amount L0 of the switch member of the bass key L and the vertical deformation amount U0 of the switch member of the high key U having a higher pitch than the key L Are compared, the deformation amount U0 is larger. The deformation amount L0 and the deformation amount U0 are both within the range of B1 in FIG. Therefore, the switch member reaction force F0 of the key U is greater than that of the key L when the key is released.

  Next, the key pressing reaction force FLb with respect to the rotation angle of the key L of the bass part and the key pressing reaction force FUb with respect to the rotation angle of the key U of the treble part will be described with reference to FIG. In this keyboard device, the switch member is brought closer to the key fulcrum in the high-pitched portion than in the bass portion. Therefore, if the switch member reaction force F0 of each key is the same, the key pressing reaction force generated at the front end of each key becomes smaller as the switch member is closer to the key fulcrum due to the lever principle. However, as described above, when the key is released, the switch member reaction force F0 of the key U is larger than that of the key L. Therefore, at the start of key pressing, the key pressing reaction force of the low sound portion is not so large as compared with the key pressing reaction force of the high sound portion. When the key U switch member reaction force F0 is extremely larger than the key L at the time of key release, the high-pitched portion key-pressing reaction force FUb at the start of key-pressing is low-pitched portion key-pressing reaction force FLb. Can even be bigger.

  In this way, depending on the reaction force characteristics of the switch member, at the start of key pressing, the key pressing reaction force cannot be sufficiently increased in the bass part compared to the treble part, realizing the key touch feeling of an acoustic piano. There was a problem that I could not.

  The present invention has been made in order to cope with the above-described problem. The purpose of the present invention is to position the upper surface of each key when releasing the key on the same plane, and the rotation angle of each key during sound generation is substantially the same ( In other words, there is provided a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument that realizes a key touch feeling of an acoustic piano by sufficiently increasing a key pressing reaction force at a low pitch compared to a high pitch.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that an upper limit for restricting upward displacement of the front ends of a plurality of keys by engagement of the plurality of keys rotating with the key depression and the plurality of keys. A plurality of switch members provided corresponding to the restricting members and the plurality of keys, respectively, and elastically deformed by being pressed along with the key depression, wherein the distance from the center of rotation of the key is reduced to the bass portion. In a keyboard device provided with a plurality of switch members that are provided at positions that are shorter in the treble portion and that are elastically deformed and control the generation of musical sounds by changes in the on / off state, the plurality of switch members are key release At times, the plurality of keys are elastically deformed, and the front ends of the plurality of keys are urged upward by the reaction force generated by the plurality of switch members due to the elastic deformation, and the plurality of keys are engaged with the upper limit regulating member. By using the same A plurality of keys when the on / off state of the plurality of switch members is changed by increasing the amount of vertical deformation of the plurality of switch members at the time of releasing the keys in the treble portion compared to the bass portion. A plurality of switch members are arranged so that their rotation angles are substantially the same (that is, the same) in the entire key range, and the characteristics of the plurality of switch members are reduced in a small deformation amount region from the start of deformation to a predetermined small deformation amount. Thus, the reaction force due to deformation is set to be constant, or the reaction force due to deformation is set to decrease as the deformation amount increases.

  In this case, each switch member is composed of one switch or two or more switches that are turned on / off by a press / release key. Controlling the generation of the musical tone by changing the on / off state of each switch member refers to, for example, the control of musical tone elements based on the time difference between when the two switches are turned on. In this case, the upper limit of the small deformation amount is, for example, the deformation amount of the switch member corresponding to the key of the treble part at the time of key release. Further, the upper limit of the small deformation amount may be, for example, a deformation amount when an on / off state of any switch constituting the switch member changes.

  In the keyboard device configured as described above, the reaction force due to deformation of the switch member is constant or the reaction force due to deformation decreases as the deformation amount increases in the small deformation amount region. Therefore, at the start of key pressing, the key pressing reaction force of the bass part can be made sufficiently larger than that of the treble part. As a result, the upper surface of each key at the time of key release is positioned on the same plane, and the rotation angle of each key at the time of sound generation is made substantially the same, and a key touch feeling of an acoustic piano can be realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B are longitudinal side views of a keyboard device according to the present invention. 1A shows the key L of the bass part shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 1B shows the key U of the treble part shown in FIG. The plurality of keys 11 are divided into a plurality of groups by a predetermined number (for example, three or four for white keys and five for black keys). The keys 11 belonging to each group are integrally formed of resin as a key unit 12. In each key unit 12, a plurality of keys 11 are extended in the horizontal direction through thin extension portions 13 extending backward from the keys 11, respectively, and are connected in a thin direction in the vertical direction. The unit 14 is connected in common. The connecting portions 14 of the plurality of key units 12 are overlapped vertically and fixed to the rear end portion of the key frame 15 with screws 16. With this configuration, the keys 11 are supported by the key frame 15 at the connecting portion 14 such that their front end portions can swing in the vertical direction by elastic deformation of the extending portion 13.

  The key frame 15 extends in the horizontal direction below the plurality of keys 11. The key frame 15 is a member configured in a plate shape having irregularities as appropriate by integral molding of metal or resin, or composite of metal and resin. The key 11 has a stopper piece 17 integrally extended downward from the lower surface thereof at an intermediate position. The stopper piece 17 has a protruding portion 17a having a lower portion bent backward. The protruding portion 17 a of the stopper piece 17 enters rearward from an opening 18 provided in the vertical wall portion of the key frame 15 and allows the front portion of the key 11 to be displaced in the vertical direction. An upper limit stopper 19 that defines the upper limit position of the front end portion of the key 11 is fixed to the lower surface of the horizontal portion that extends rearward from the upper end of the vertical wall portion including the opening 18. On the other hand, a lower limit stopper 20 that defines the lower limit position of the front end portion of the key 11 is fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal portion that extends forward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion including the opening 18. The upper limit stopper 19 and the lower limit stopper 20 are formed of a long and flat cushioning material (for example, felt) extending in the lateral direction (perpendicular to the paper surface), and the protruding portion 17 a of the stopper piece 17 of the key 11. It is designed to reduce the impact caused by the collision.

  At the rear position of the stopper piece 17 of the key 11, a switch drive unit 21 is provided. A substrate 22 is fixed on the key frame 15 below the switch drive unit 21. A switch member 24 is attached on the substrate 22.

  Next, the switch member 24 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the switch member 24. The switch member 24 is integrally formed of an elastic member such as rubber or silicon. The switch member 24 includes a driven part 25 that is pressed by the switch driving part 21. A skirt portion 26 is formed below the driven portion 25. The skirt portion 26 includes a skirt upper portion 26a and a tapered portion 26b. The skirt upper part 26 a is a curved part having a small radius of curvature, and the upper part of the skirt upper part 26 a is connected to the lower end of the driven part 25. And the taper part 26b which spreads in the taper shape is provided so that it may go further below from the lower end of the skirt upper part 26a. In addition, a pair of first contact portions 27 and a second contact portion 28 disposed in front and back corresponding to the key 11 are provided inside the skirt portion 26. The first contact portion 27 and the second contact portion 28 are each formed in a hemispherical shape (so-called “bowl type”), and a cylindrical portion protrudes downward from the lower end of each hemispherical portion. A first movable contact 29 and a second movable contact 30 formed of a conductive material (for example, carbon ink) are provided at the lower ends of the cylindrical portions of the first contact portion 27 and the second contact portion 28. A pedestal portion 31 is provided at the lower end of the skirt portion 26, and a plurality of protruding leg portions 32 are extended from the lower surface thereof. The switch member 24 is attached to the substrate 22 by fitting the leg portion 32 into the through hole 33 provided in the substrate 22. Furthermore, a first fixed contact 34 and a second fixed contact 35 are provided on the substrate 22. The first fixed contact 34 and the second fixed contact 35 are included in the switch member 24. The first movable contact 29 and the first fixed contact 34 constitute a first switch SW1a, and the second movable contact 30 and the second fixed contact 35 constitute a second switch SW2a.

  The first contact portion 27 is formed longer than the second contact portion 28, and the lower surface of the first movable contact 29 is lower than the lower surface of the second movable contact 30. Therefore, when the driven portion 25 is pressed and the skirt portion 26 is deformed, the first movable contact 29 first contacts (turns on) the first fixed contact 34, and then the second movable contact 30 contacts the second fixed contact 35. To touch (ON). That is, the first switch SW1a and the second switch SW2a are turned on in this order. This is because the key touch strength (key press speed) at the time of pushing is detected by measuring the time from when the first switch SW1a is turned on to when the second switch SW2a is turned on. When the second switch SW2a is turned on, a musical tone signal is generated with the key touch strength. Further, a cylindrical cavity is provided from the upper surface of the driven part 25 toward the apex of each hemispherical part of the first contact part 27 and the second contact part 28. Thereby, after the first switch SW1a and the second switch SW2a are turned on, the hemispherical portions of the first contact portion 27 and the second contact portion 28 are easily elastically deformed, thereby improving the key touch feeling.

  Next, the reaction force of the switch member 24 against the key depression will be described. FIG. 4 shows the relationship of the reaction force with respect to the vertical deformation amount of the switch member 24. In this figure, the skirt reaction force fsa is generated by elastic deformation of the skirt 26. The first contact portion reaction force f1a is generated when the hemispherical portion of the first contact portion 27 is elastically deformed. The second contact portion reaction force f2a is generated when the hemispherical portion of the second contact portion 28 is elastically deformed. The switch member reaction force Fs of the switch member 24 is the sum of the skirt portion reaction force fsa, the first contact portion reaction force f1a, and the second contact portion reaction force f2a. In the range of the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 24 from the start of pressing of the driven portion 25 until the first switch SW1a is turned on (A1 in FIG. 4), the first contact portion reaction force f1a and the second contact portion reaction Since the force f2a is “0”, the switch member reaction force Fs of the switch member 24 is composed of only the skirt reaction force fsa. Here, the skirt portion reaction force fsa tends to increase immediately after the driven portion 25 starts to be pressed, and thereafter the reaction force is constant until the first switch SW1a is turned on (hereinafter referred to as horizontal characteristics ( Fh) in the figure), or immediately after the driven portion 25 starts to be pressed, the reaction force rapidly increases and then the reaction force tends to decrease (hereinafter referred to as a decrease characteristic (fd in the figure)). Such a horizontal characteristic or a decrease characteristic is due to the buckling of the tapered portion 26b of the skirt portion 26 when the amount of vertical deformation of the switch member 24 is small. The horizontal characteristic or the reduction characteristic is one of the features of the present invention.

  In the range of the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 24 after the first switch SW1a is turned on until the second switch SW2a is turned on (A2 in FIG. 4), as the amount of deformation increases, the first contact portion 27 Therefore, the switch member reaction force Fs is obtained by adding the first contact portion reaction force f1a to the skirt reaction force fsa. In this range (A2 in FIG. 4), the skirt reaction force fsa gradually decreases as the amount of deformation of the switch member 24 in the vertical direction increases. On the other hand, the first contact portion reaction force f1a increases as the vertical deformation amount of the switch member 24 increases, but the increase rate gradually decreases, and the increase rate immediately before the second switch SW2a is turned on is “0”. It has become. The switch member reaction force Fs increases again after the first switch SW1a is turned on. Then, it slightly decreases immediately before the second switch SW2a is turned on.

  In the range of the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 24 after the second switch SW2a is turned on (A3 in FIG. 4), the hemispherical portion of the second contact portion 28 also begins to elastically deform, so the skirt reaction force fsa The switch member reaction force Fs is obtained by adding the second contact portion reaction force f2a to the first contact portion reaction force f1a. In this range (A3 in FIG. 4), the skirt reaction force fsa and the first contact portion reaction force f1a gradually decrease as the vertical deformation amount of the switch member 24 increases, and then increase again. Further, the second contact portion reaction force f2a increases with an increase in the amount of deformation of the switch member 24 in the vertical direction, and once reaches a peak, it starts to decrease, but then increases again. The switch member reaction force Fs increases again after the second switch SW2a is turned on. After reaching the peak, the switch member reaction force Fs starts to decrease, but then increases rapidly.

  The switch member 24 having the shape and characteristics as described above is configured in common for all the keys 11 in order to reduce costs. At least a plurality of keys 11 in a predetermined key range are configured in common. Further, as described in the background section above, in order to reduce the key-pressing reaction force due to the elasticity of the switch member 24 at the high-pitched portion compared to the low-pitched portion, from the swing center of the key 11 (that is, the connecting portion 14). The switch member 24 is arranged so that the distance to the center of the switch member 24 is shortened. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the switch member 24 is arranged such that the distance from the center portion thereof to the rocking center of the key 11 is gradually shortened from the bass portion toward the treble portion.

  On the other hand, in the keyboard device, when releasing the keys, the front end top surfaces of all the keys 11 (specifically, all the white keys 11 and the black keys 11) are positioned at the same height (that is, on the same horizontal plane). Need to be. On the other hand, in the generation control of the musical tone signal by pressing the key, in order to avoid a sense of incongruity of the performance, a request to start generating the musical tone signal in a state where the rotation angles at the time of pressing all the keys 11 are the same. There is. That is, it is preferable that the rotation angles of the front ends of all the keys 11 are the same when the second switch SW2a is turned on by pressing the key.

  In order to satisfy the conditions at the time of the key release, in this embodiment, at the time of the key release, the switch drive unit 21 is brought into contact with the driven part 25 of the switch member 24 to elastically deform the switch member 24. Then, the front end of the key 11 is urged upward by the reaction force due to this elastic deformation, and the heights of the upper surfaces of the front ends of all the keys 11 are made to coincide with each other by restricting the upper limit stopper 19 from being displaced upward. On the other hand, in consideration of the condition that the distance from the rocking center of the key 11 to the center of the switch member 24 is shorter in the high sound part than in the low sound part, the rotation angles when all the keys 11 are depressed are the same. In order to satisfy the request for starting the generation of the musical sound signal in the state of the above, the stroke amount of the switch drive unit 21 from the key release state to the generation of the musical sound signal by pressing the key is set to the high sound part as compared with the low sound part. Become shorter. In view of the fact that the switch member 24 is configured in common for all the keys 11 as described above, the amount of deformation of the switch member 24 from when the key is released to when a musical tone signal is generated by pressing the key is low. It becomes smaller in the treble part than in the part. This means that the amount of deformation of the switch member 24 in the key released state is made larger at the high sound portion than at the low sound portion. And in order to implement | achieve this, it is necessary to make upper surface of the board | substrate 22 with which the switch member 24 was attached close to the switch drive part 21, ie, the upper part in a high sound part compared with a low sound part. In the present embodiment, in order to realize this, the substrate 22 has a lower front side than the rear side of the substrate 22 by the same angle as the rotation angle θ of the key 11 when the second switch SW2a is turned on when the key is pressed. It is arranged so as to be inclined.

  Next, the operation of the keyboard device configured as described above will be described. When the key is released, the front end of the key 11 is urged upward by the elastic force of the extending portion 13 and the switch member 24. As a result, the upper surface of the stopper piece 17a comes into contact with the lower surface of the upper limit stopper 19, and the key 11 is stationary, and the upper surface of each key 11 is on the same plane (FIGS. 1A and 1B). When the key 11 is pressed, the key 11 rotates counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) around its swing center (that is, the connecting portion 14). And the switch drive part 21 presses the to-be-driven part 25 with rotation of the key 11, and the deformation amount of the up-down direction of the switch member 24 further increases. Thereafter, the first switch SW1a and the second switch SW2a are turned on in this order, and the respective hemispherical portions of the first contact portion 27 and the second contact portion 28 are elastically deformed. When the lower surface of the stopper piece 17a comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower limit stopper 20, the rotation of the key 11 is stopped. On the other hand, when the key 11 is released, the front end of the key 11 is urged upward by the elastic force of the extending portion 13 and the switch member 24, and the key 11 has its swing center (that is, the connecting portion 14). As a center, it rotates clockwise in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B). When the upper surface of the stopper piece 17a comes into contact with the lower surface of the upper limit stopper 19, the key 11 stops and returns to the original position (FIGS. 1A and 1B).

  FIG. 5 shows the key pressing reaction force FLa with respect to the rotation angle of the key L of the bass portion and the key pressing reaction force FUa with respect to the rotation angle of the key U of the treble portion. In this keyboard apparatus, since the switch member 24 is brought closer to the key fulcrum as it goes from the bass part to the treble part, the key pressing reaction force generated at the front end of each key is based on the lever principle and the switch member reaction force of each key 11 Fs is multiplied by a ratio (LS / LK) of the distance LS from the key fulcrum (that is, the connecting portion 14) to each switch member 24 to the distance LK from the key fulcrum to the key front end. Moreover, since the switch member 24 is brought closer to the key fulcrum as it goes from the bass part to the treble part, the increase rate of the vertical deformation amount of the switch member 24 is increased in the treble part with respect to the increase in the key rotation angle by the key depression. Is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the key pressing reaction force FLa and the key pressing reaction force FUa are characteristics in which the characteristics of the switch member reaction force Fs (FIG. 4) are reduced in the vertical axis direction and further expanded in the horizontal axis direction. It has become. In FIG. 5, the key pressing reaction force when the switch member 24 has a decreasing characteristic is indicated by a broken line, and the key pressing reaction force when the switch member 24 has a horizontal characteristic is indicated by a solid line. However, the key pressing reaction force FLa and the key pressing reaction force FUa after the first switch SW1a is turned on have the same reaction force characteristics regardless of whether the switch member 24 has a decreasing characteristic or a horizontal characteristic. Shown in solid line.

  Here, when the deformation amounts of the switch member 24 of the key L and the key U at the time of key release are L0 and U0, U0 is larger than L0 as described above. When the skirt reaction force fsa has a horizontal characteristic, the switch member reaction force Fs of the key L and the key U has the same magnitude when the key is released. On the other hand, when the skirt reaction force fsa has a decreasing characteristic, the switch member reaction force Fs of the key L is larger than the key U when the key is released. Accordingly, the key pressing reaction force FLa at the start of key pressing is sufficiently larger than the key pressing reaction force FUa in both the horizontal characteristic and the decrease characteristic. Further, although the enlargement ratio in the horizontal axis direction of the key pressing reaction force FUa is larger than the key pressing reaction force FLa, the key rotation angle θ when the second switch SW2a is turned on is the same. .

  In the keyboard device configured as described above, the key pressing reaction force FLa of the low sound portion at the start of key pressing can be made sufficiently larger than the key pressing reaction force FUa of the high sound portion. And the difference in the key-pressing reaction force of the treble part. Therefore, the upper surface of each key 11 when the key is released is positioned on the same plane, and the rotation angle of each key 11 when the second switch SW2a is turned on (that is, during sound generation) is the same, and the acoustic piano The key touch feeling can be realized.

  The effect of the horizontal characteristic and the reduction characteristic of the switch member 24 will be described in detail with reference to another comparative example. That is, a switch member having an ascending characteristic in which the reaction force continuously increases as the deformation amount of the switch member increases from the start of pressing until the first switch is turned on, which is a characteristic other than the horizontal characteristic and the decreasing characteristic. This will be specifically described. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a switch member having a rising characteristic can be considered. The switch member 24A has a curved portion 36 instead of the skirt portion 26 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The curved portion is formed in a hemispherical shape (a so-called “bowl type”) having a cavity inside. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the switch member 24, the same reference numerals as those of the switch member 24 are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the reaction force against the key pressing of the switch member 24A will be described. FIG. 8 shows the relationship of the reaction force with respect to the vertical deformation amount of the switch member 24A. In this figure, the bending portion reaction force fsb is generated when the bending portion 36 is elastically deformed. In the range of the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 24A (A1 in FIG. 8) until the first switch SW1c is turned on after the driven portion 25 starts to be pressed, the bending portion reaction force fsb increases as the amount of deformation increases. However, the rate of increase gradually decreases. The first contact portion reaction force f1b and the second contact portion reaction force f2b are the same as the first contact portion reaction force f1a and the second contact portion reaction force f2a of the above embodiment. The switch member reaction force F0 is the sum of the bending portion reaction force fsb, the first contact portion reaction force f1b, and the second contact portion reaction force f2b.

  When the switch member 24A is applied to the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the key pressing reaction force FLb with respect to the rotation angle of the key L of the bass portion and the key pressing reaction force FUb with respect to the rotation angle of the key U of the treble portion. Is shown in FIG. As in the description of FIG. 5, the key pressing reaction force FLb and the key pressing reaction force FUb have characteristics such that the characteristics of the switch member reaction force F0 (FIG. 8) are reduced in the vertical axis direction and further expanded in the horizontal axis direction. Become. When the key is released, the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 24 </ b> A is greater in the high-pitched portion key U than in the low-pitched portion key L, so that the switch member reaction force F <b> 0 of the key U is greater than that of the key L. For this reason, at the start of key pressing, the key pressing reaction force FLb is slightly larger than the key pressing reaction force FUb, but the difference is insufficient, and the performer can press the key pressing reaction force between the bass and treble parts. Cannot perceive the difference.

  As described above, in the keyboard device to which the switch member 24A having the rising characteristic is applied, the key depression reaction force FLb in the low sound portion at the start of key depression may be made sufficiently larger than the key depression reaction force FUb in the high sound portion. Because it is not possible, the key touch feeling of an acoustic piano cannot be realized. On the other hand, when the switch member 24 having a horizontal characteristic or a decrease characteristic as shown in FIG. 4 is applied, the key depression reaction force FLb at the low sound portion at the start of key depression is compared with the key depression reaction force FUb at the high sound portion. Can be made large enough to achieve the key touch of an acoustic piano.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first switch SW1a and the second switch SW2a are disposed inside the common skirt portion 26. Instead of this, the skirts are respectively provided for the first switch SW1a and the second switch SW2a. It is good also as the switch member 37 which provided the part independently. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a first driven portion 38 and a second driven portion 39 that are simultaneously pressed by the switch driving portion 21 are provided, and a first skirt portion 40 similar to the switch member 24 is provided in each lower portion. And the 2nd skirt part 41 is provided. A pedestal portion 42 similar to the switch member 24 is provided at the lower ends of the first skirt portion 40 and the second skirt portion 41, and the first skirt portion 40 and the second skirt portion 41 are coupled via the pedestal portion 42. . Further, the switch member 37 is attached to the substrate 22 by fitting the leg portion 43 provided on the lower surface of the pedestal portion 42 into the through hole 44 provided in the substrate 22. The first switch SW1b is provided inside the first skirt portion 40, and the second switch SW2b is provided inside the second skirt portion 41. The configuration of each switch is the same as that of the switch member 24. That is, the first switch SW1b includes a first contact portion 45, a first movable contact 46, and a first fixed contact 47, and the second switch SW2b includes a second contact portion 48, a second movable contact 49, and a second fixed contact 50. Consists of.

  With this configuration, the first skirt portion 40 and the second skirt portion 41 are elastically deformed in the range of the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch member 37 from the start of key pressing until the first switch SW1b is turned on. The resultant reaction force is a reaction force as the switch member 37. Here, the reaction force generated by elastic deformation of the first skirt portion 40 and the second skirt portion 41 is also configured to have a horizontal characteristic (fh in the figure) or a reduction characteristic (fd in the figure) as shown in FIG. For example, the resultant force also has a horizontal characteristic (fh in the drawing) or a decreasing characteristic (fd in the drawing). As a result, the key depression reaction force FLa of the low sound portion at the start of the key depression can be made large enough to be perceived by the performer compared to the key depression reaction force FUa of the high sound portion. Therefore, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment and its modification, the rotation angle of the key 11 when the second switches SW2a and SW2b are turned on is the same in the entire key range. However, the difference between the rotation angle of the key 11 when the first switch is turned on and the rotation angle of the key 11 when the second switch is turned on is small. Therefore, the upper surface of the substrate 22 is arranged closer to the key 11 at the high pitch than the low pitch at the time of key release so that the rotation angle of the key 11 when the first switches SW1a and SW1b are turned on is the same. May be. Specifically, the first switch SW1a and SW1b may be arranged so as to be inclined so that the front side is positioned below the rear side of the substrate 22 by the same angle as the rotation angle of the key 11 when the first switches SW1a and SW1b are turned on.

  Further, the key 11 has the same rotation angle in the entire key range when the amount of deformation D1 is reached after the first switches SW1a and SW1b are turned on by the key depression until the second switches SW2a and SW2b are turned on. When the key is released, the upper surface of the substrate 22 may be disposed closer to the key 11 at the high pitch portion than at the low pitch portion so that the angle α is equal to the angle α. Specifically, it may be arranged so as to be inclined by an angle α such that the front side is positioned below the rear side of the substrate 22.

  In the above embodiment and its modification, the switch member reaction force Fs from the start of pressing until the first switches SW1a and SW1b are turned on has horizontal characteristics or descending characteristics. However, the switch member reaction force Fs may have a horizontal characteristic or a descending characteristic at least in the range from the start of pressing to the amount of deformation when the switch members 24 and 37 corresponding to the highest key 11 are released. Good.

  Even in such a configuration, the top surface of each key 11 when the key is released is positioned on the same plane, and the rotation angle of each key 11 during sound generation is substantially the same, and the key touch of the acoustic piano is performed. A feeling can be realized.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment and modification, the structure which provides two switches in one switch member was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when it is not necessary to detect the key touch strength (key pressing speed), only one of the first switches SW1a and SW1b or the second switches SW2a and SW2b is provided. It may be a switch member. Also in this case, the substrate 22 is arranged so that the rotation angle of the key 11 when the switch is turned on is the same, and at least the switch members 24 and 37 corresponding to the key 11 with the highest sound from the start of pressing are deformed when the key is released. The switch member reaction force Fs may have a horizontal characteristic or a descending characteristic within a range until the amount is reached. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment and its modification is acquired.

  On the other hand, the switch member may be composed of more switches (three or more). For example, the switch member may be composed of three switches including a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. In this case, when the key is depressed, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are turned on in this order. On the other hand, when the key is released, the third switch, the second switch, and the first switch are turned off in this order. In this case, the time from when the second switch is turned on to when the third switch is turned on is measured to detect the key pressing speed, and when the third switch is turned on, control is performed so that the generation of a musical sound is started. Then, control is performed so as to end the generation of the musical sound when the first switch is turned off.

  Even when the switch member is composed of these three switches, similarly to the switch member 24, a skirt portion that is elastically deformed when the key is pressed may be provided, and these three switches may be provided therein. . Similarly to the switch member 37, skirt portions may be provided for the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch, respectively. When the key is released, the upper surface of the substrate 22 is brought closer to the key 11 at the high pitch compared to the low pitch so that the rotation angle of the key 11 when the third switch is turned on is the same in the entire key range. What is necessary is just to arrange. In addition, since the rotation angle difference of the key 11 when the first switch is turned on and when the third switch is turned on is small, the rotation angle of the key 11 when any switch is turned on is in the entire key range. The upper surface of the substrate 22 may be arranged closer to the key 11 in the high sound part than in the low sound part when releasing the key so as to be the same. Furthermore, the rotation angle of the key 11 when the first switch is turned on and the rotation angle of the key 11 when the deformation amount D2 between when the third switch is turned on reach the same angle β in the entire key range. As described above, the upper surface of the substrate 22 may be placed closer to the key 11 in the high sound part than in the low sound part when the key is released. Specifically, it may be arranged so as to be inclined so that the front side is located below the rear side of the substrate 22 by the same angle or angle β as the rotation angle of the key 11 when any switch is turned on. Further, the switch member reaction force Fs may have a horizontal characteristic or a descending characteristic at least within a range from the start of pressing until the amount of deformation of the switch member corresponding to the highest key 11 is released. By comprising in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment and its modification is acquired.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the switch members 24 and 37 are arranged so that the distance from the center portion thereof to the center of rocking of the key 11 gradually decreases as it goes from the bass portion to the treble portion. However, instead of this, as the distance from the center of the switch members 24 and 37 to the center of rocking of the key 11 increases from the low sound part to the high sound part, each group of adjacent keys 11 (for example, each octave) Alternatively, it may be arranged so as to be shortened step by step (every half octave). Also in this case, it is necessary to make the rotation angle of the key 11 the same when the on / off states of the switch members 24 and 37 change in order to control the generation of musical sounds. For this reason, the amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the switch members 24 and 37 at the time of key release is increased in the treble portion for each group compared to the bass portion. Specifically, the vertical position of the substrate 22 to which the switch members 24 and 37 are attached is arranged higher in the treble part than in the bass part for each group. If comprised in this way, a key pressing reaction force will become small in steps for every group of the said several key 11 as it goes to a high sound part from a low sound part. This also makes it possible to simulate the key touch feeling of an acoustic piano because the key-pressing reaction force decreases as it goes from the low sound part to the high sound part. Other effects are the same as in the above embodiment.

(A) And (B) is a vertical side view of the keyboard apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the switch member of the keyboard apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a switch member of the keyboard device of FIG. 1. It is a graph which shows the characteristic of the reaction force with respect to the deformation amount of the switch member of FIG. 2 is a graph showing a characteristic of a key pressing reaction force with respect to a key rotation angle of the keyboard device of FIG. 1. It is detail sectional drawing of the switch member which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a detailed sectional view of a switch member shown for comparison with the switch member of FIG. It is a graph which shows the characteristic of the reaction force with respect to the deformation amount of the up-down direction of the switch member of FIG. It is a graph which shows the characteristic of the key pressing reaction force with respect to the key rotation angle of the keyboard apparatus using the switch member of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Key, 22 ... Board | substrate, 21 ... Switch drive part, 24, 37 ... Switch member, 26, 40, 41 ... Skirt part, 25, 38, 39 ... Driven , 29, 46 ... first movable contact, 30, 49 ... second movable contact, 34, 47 ... first fixed contact, 35, 50 ... second fixed contact, SW1a, SW1b, ..First switch, SW2a, SW1b ... Second switch, FLa, FUa ... Key pressing reaction force

Claims (1)

A plurality of keys that rotate as the keys are pressed;
An upper limit regulating member that regulates upward displacement of the front ends of the plurality of keys by engagement with the plurality of keys;
A plurality of switch members provided corresponding to the plurality of keys, respectively, and elastically deformed by being pressed when the key is pressed, wherein a distance from the rotation center portion of the key is smaller than that of the bass portion. In a keyboard device provided with a plurality of switch members that are provided at positions that become shorter in the treble portion and elastically deform and change the on / off state to control the generation of musical sounds,
The plurality of switch members are elastically deformed by the plurality of keys at the time of key release, and urge the front ends of the plurality of keys upward by a reaction force generated by the plurality of switch members by the elastic deformation, By engaging the plurality of keys with the upper limit regulating member, the upper surfaces of the plurality of keys are positioned on the same plane,
The amount of deformation in the vertical direction of the plurality of switch members at the time of key release is increased in the high sound portion compared to the low sound portion, and the turn of the plurality of keys when the on / off state of the plurality of switch members changes is changed. The plurality of switch members are arranged so that the moving angle is substantially the same in the entire key range,
The characteristics of the plurality of switch members are respectively set so that the reaction force due to the deformation is constant or the reaction force due to the deformation decreases as the deformation amount increases in a small deformation amount region that reaches a predetermined small deformation amount immediately after the start of deformation. A keyboard device characterized by that.

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