JP2012013894A - Pedal system for electronic musical instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pedal system for electronic musical instruments that gives a good feel of pedaling and improves a correspondence between a half pedal region and a variation in counterforce.SOLUTION: A damper pedal 1 comprises a spring member 5 and a dome-shaped rubber member 9 that joins the damper pedal 1 on the way of a stroke to start displacement and generates a counterforce having a characteristic that the variation rate of the counterforce decreases on the way of an increase of this displacement. First and second output values of a variable resistor 10 are extracted by first and second switches 111 and 112 at the timing of detection of first and second displaced states of the dome-shaped rubber member 9. A conversion characteristic setting unit 115 sets the first and second output values so as to be values indicating first and second positions relative to a half pedal region and sets a conversion characteristic to convert the output value of the variable resistor 10 into a pedaling value P.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedal device for an electronic musical instrument having a reaction force characteristic close to that of a damper pedal in an acoustic piano.

In an acoustic piano that is a natural instrument, when a performer depresses a damper pedal, the performer feels that the reaction force received from the damper pedal changes according to the depression depth of the damper pedal.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of load characteristics of a damper pedal in a grand piano. The vertical axis represents the load applied to the damper pedal, and the horizontal axis represents the displacement of the damper pedal.
Reference numeral 151 denotes a characteristic curve of the forward stroke, which indicates the displacement of the damper pedal when the load applied to the damper pedal is increased. This load becomes a reaction force felt by the player according to the displacement (stroke) in the pressing direction when the player steps on the damper pedal.

The damper pedal is connected to the damper via several connecting portions.
In the initial state when the player starts to depress the damper pedal, the weight of the damper and various connecting parts is generated as the initial reaction force, so the slope of the reaction force (the rate of change of the reaction force, that is, the incremental value of the reaction force) ÷ Stroke increment value) is large. Thereafter, while the stroke of the damper pedal is small, the depression force of the damper pedal is not transmitted to the damper because of the play in the connecting portion. Therefore, when the stroke of the damper pedal is in the illustrated area A0, the rate of change of the reaction force is small except for the initial state.

When the performer increases the stroke of the damper pedal, the player moves to the area A1 shown in the figure, and the stepping force through the connecting portion is transmitted to the damper and starts to lift the damper of each string that is in contact with the string. At that time, the rate of change of the reaction force increases due to an elastic element of the entire connecting portion, an increase in frictional force caused by uneven movement of adjacent dampers, and the like.
Further, when the stroke of the damper pedal increases and the region A2 is shifted, all the dampers are completely separated from the strings, and the reaction force from the elastic elements of the entire connecting portion does not increase. As a result, the rate of change of the reaction force becomes smaller again. Thereafter, when the stroke is further increased, the damper pedal comes into contact with the stopper and shifts to the region A3. Therefore, the rate of change of reaction force increases rapidly.

Conventionally, the region AH ′ from the second half of the region A1 to the vicinity of the boundary between the region A1 and the region A2 is called a half pedal region. In this half pedal area, the advanced performer changes the timbre, reverberation, etc. of the tone to be sounded by slightly changing the stroke of the damper pedal. At that time, the advanced performer can recognize that he / she is in the half pedal area AH ′ by feeling that the rate of change of the reaction force is changing at the boundary between the area A1 and the area A2.
On the other hand, a characteristic curve 152 shown in the figure is a backward stroke characteristic curve, and shows the displacement of the damper pedal when the load applied to the damper pedal is reduced. This load becomes a reaction force felt by the player when the player loosens the depression of the damper pedal.
The reverse stroke characteristic curve 152 has a smaller reaction force with respect to the same amount of displacement than the forward stroke characteristic curve 151. This is due to hysteresis caused by the viscosity and frictional force of the connecting portion.

However, in a pedal device for an electronic keyboard instrument, conventionally, a damper pedal is generally urged by a single spring. Therefore, the rate of change of the reaction force does not change during the stroke.
However, a technique for changing the rate of change of reaction force received from a pedal lever (damper pedal) according to the amount of depression (stroke) of the pedal lever is also known in the pedal device of an electronic keyboard instrument (see Patent Document 1). .

In this prior art, the pedal lever is urged by the first spring material, and the lever or flat plate coupled to the pedal lever from the middle of the full stroke stroke is urged by the second spring material. Half pedal control is performed by detecting the amount of rotation of the lever with a variable resistor, or detecting the amount of displacement of the flat plate with a plurality of pairs of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
However, in this prior art, the reaction force further increases from the middle of the full stroke stroke. This characteristic is different from the touch feeling of the grand piano shown in FIG. 12, and requires a large force to step on the damper pedal.

There is also known an electronic keyboard instrument pedal unit that uses a coil spring that urges a pedal plate (damper pedal) and three switches having rubber contact pieces (see Patent Document 2).
A coil spring and a substrate are installed on the bottom taper surface of the pedal frame, and three switches are installed on the substrate. In this technique, the pressing member on the back surface of the pedal plate is arranged above the contact piece of each switch with a certain clearance. When the pedal plate is depressed, the three switches are sequentially pressed.
Structurally, each switch applies a reaction force to the performer via the pedal plate. However, the three switches detect the operation amount of the pedal plate in four stages by turning on and off. Therefore, it is estimated that the reaction force of each switch is sufficiently small like a switch having a normal rubber contact piece, for example, a key switch of an electronic keyboard instrument. Therefore, even when the reaction forces of the three switches are combined, only a reaction force smaller than that of the coil spring can be obtained. Even if a switch having a large reaction force is used, the characteristics of the combination of the reaction force of the coil spring and the reaction force of the three switches are different from the reaction force characteristics of the damper pedal shown in FIG. .

JP 2004-334008 A JP2001-22355

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a pedal device for an electronic musical instrument which has a good pedal operation feeling and can cope with a half pedal region and a reaction force change. It is intended.

  According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a pedal that swings by a player's stepping operation, an urging means that is displaced by the stepping operation on the pedal and applies a reaction force to the pedal, A stroke sensor that continuously outputs a value corresponding to a stroke; and a pedal operation output means that outputs a pedal operation value in accordance with an output value of the stroke sensor in which a half pedal region is set in the output value of the stroke sensor In the pedal device of the electronic musical instrument, the urging means is a first urging means that generates a reaction force having a first characteristic that is displaced in the entire range of the stroke of the pedal and increases as the displacement increases. The displacement of the reaction force is reduced in the middle of the stroke of the pedal, and the displacement of the reaction force decreases while the displacement increases. A second urging means for generating a reaction force of the characteristic, and the second urging means has a first switch for detecting a first displacement state of the second urging means. The pedal operation output means has sensor output extraction means, conversion characteristic setting means, and conversion means, and the sensor output extraction means is a first displacement state of the second urging means by the first switch. The output value of the stroke sensor at the timing when is detected is extracted as a first output value, and the conversion characteristic setting means has a first output value extracted by the sensor output extraction means for the first output value with respect to the half pedal region. The half pedal area is set to be a value indicating a relative position of 1, and a conversion characteristic for converting the output value of the stroke sensor into the pedal operation value is set based on the set half pedal area. And the converting means, on the basis of the conversion characteristic conversion characteristic set by the setting means, the output value of the stroke sensor intended for converting the pedal operating value.

Therefore, at the beginning of the stepping operation, a reaction force that increases as the stroke increases is generated, and the rate of change of the reaction force is temporarily increased from the middle of the pedal stroke by the second urging means. A reaction force characteristic that changes in two stages of decreasing is realized. As a result, the operational feeling of the pedal is improved, and a reaction force characteristic similar to that of a damper pedal in an acoustic piano is realized with a simple configuration.
The second urging means has a first switch, and the output value of the stroke sensor at the timing when the first displacement state of the second urging means is detected by the first switch is a half pedal area. By using the value indicating the first relative position with respect to the pedal, the change in the reaction force of the pedal based on the change in the reaction force of the second urging means corresponds to the half pedal region defined by the output value of the stroke sensor. Attached. That is, the first switch realizes a function of setting the half pedal area so as to correspond to the reaction force change characteristic.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pedal device for an electronic musical instrument according to the first aspect, the second urging means detects a second displacement state of the second urging means. The sensor output extraction means outputs the output value of the stroke sensor at a timing when the second displacement state of the second urging means is detected by the second switch as a second output value. The conversion characteristic setting means extracts the first output value and the second output value extracted by the sensor output extraction means as a value indicating a first relative position with respect to the half pedal region, The half pedal area is set so as to have a value indicating a relative position of 2.
Therefore, the correspondence between the change in the reaction force of the pedal based on the change in the reaction force of the second urging means and the half pedal region defined by the output value of the stroke sensor becomes more accurate. That is, the first switch and the second switch realize a function of more accurately setting the half pedal region so as to correspond to the reaction force change characteristic.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument pedal device according to the first or second aspect, the conversion characteristic setting means is configured such that the value indicating the first relative position is a lower limit of the half pedal region. The half pedal area is set so as to be the value shown.
Therefore, the corresponding deviation between the change in the pedal reaction force based on the change in the reaction force of the second urging means and the lower limit of the half pedal region defined by the output of the stroke sensor is reduced. As a result, the timing for starting the half pedal control becomes accurate in the musical tone control.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument pedal device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the conversion characteristic setting means has a value indicating the second relative position, The half pedal area is set to a value indicating the upper limit of the half pedal area.
Therefore, the deviation of the correspondence between the change in the reaction force of the pedal based on the change in the reaction force of the second urging means and the upper limit of the half pedal area defined by the output of the stroke sensor is reduced. As a result, the timing for shifting to the pedal-on control becomes accurate in the musical tone control.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument pedal device according to the fourth aspect, the first switch is the second urging member immediately after the second urging unit starts to be displaced. Detecting a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the means increases most or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof, and the second switch is configured to increase the displacement of the second urging means during the increase of the displacement. A displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the second urging means is most greatly decreased or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof is detected.
Therefore, immediately after the start of the displacement of the second urging means, the displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force increases most or the displacement state in the vicinity thereof corresponds to the lower limit of the half pedal region, and the second urging means. The displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force decreases most or the displacement state in the vicinity thereof corresponds to the upper limit of the half pedal region.
As a result, when the player feels that the reaction force of the pedal has greatly increased, it can be recognized that the stroke becomes the lower limit of the half pedal area and the half pedal control is started. Further, when the performer feels that the reaction force of the pedal has greatly decreased, it can be recognized that the stroke becomes the upper limit of the half pedal area, and shifts to the pedal-on control.

In the invention described in each of the above-described claims, the second urging means described above is, for example, in the middle of increasing displacement due to buckling occurring from the middle of increasing displacement of the second urging means. The rate of change of reaction force decreases. Therefore, the reaction force having the characteristic that the rate of change of the reaction force decreases due to the buckling phenomenon can be realized with a simple structure.
Specifically, the above-described second urging means is a dome-shaped rubber member provided with a movable contact. Therefore, buckling can be caused by a simple material, shape, and configuration.

According to the above-described present invention, there is an effect that the operation feeling of the pedal is improved and a characteristic similar to the reaction force characteristic of the damper pedal in the acoustic piano can be realized with a simple structure.
In addition, the correspondence between the change in the pedal reaction force and the half pedal area is not easily affected by variations in component parts, aging, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to take a correspondence between a change in the reaction force of the pedal and a change in the sound controlled by the pedal operation value. Therefore, the half pedal control can be easily executed when the performer feels the change in the reaction force of the pedal.

1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structure diagram illustrating a specific example of a dome-shaped rubber member in FIG. 1. It is a graph which shows an example of the displacement-load characteristic of the dome shape rubber member shown to Fig.2 (a). It is a graph which shows an example of the outline of the reaction force characteristic of a damper pedal in the embodiment shown in Drawing 1, and the output characteristic of a stroke sensor. It is explanatory drawing of the desirable displacement-load characteristic model of the dome shape rubber member shown to Fig.2 (a). It is a schematic diagram which shows the reaction force characteristic model of the damper pedal in embodiment shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the technique of obtaining the pedal operation value without the deviation example 1 of the stroke sensor output in embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and no deviation. It is explanatory drawing of the technique of obtaining the pedal operation value without the deviation example 2 of the stroke sensor output in embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and no deviation. It is explanatory drawing of the technique of obtaining the pedal operation value without the deviation example 3 of the stroke sensor output in embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and no deviation. It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the electronic keyboard musical instrument using the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. It is a graph which shows an example of the load characteristic of the damper pedal in a grand piano.

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) shows a vertical cross section of the structure, and FIG. 1 (b) shows a side view of the structure.
In the figure, 1 is a damper pedal and 2 is a pedal frame. The pedal frame 2 supports the damper pedal 1 in a swingable manner, and fixedly supports the lower limit stopper 3, the upper limit stopper 4, the coil spring 5, the main printed wiring board 6, the side plate 7 (FIG. 1B), and the like. To do. A dome-shaped rubber member 9 and a sub printed wiring board 8 (FIG. 1B) are fixed to the main printed wiring board 6, and a variable resistor 10 (FIG. 1B) is fixed to the side board 7.
The coil spring 5 is a main load and is, for example, a metal spring.
The dome-shaped rubber member 9 adds a change to the reaction force characteristics of the coil spring 5 and is smaller and lighter than the coil spring 5.

First, an outline of the operation of the structure described above will be described.
When the damper pedal (pedal) 1 swings within a predetermined range of stroke due to the player's stepping operation, the coil spring (first urging means) 5 is moved to the damper pedal 1 by the stepping operation on the damper pedal 1. A reaction force having a first characteristic of being displaced in the entire stroke range and increasing as the displacement increases (in the example of FIG. 4, a reaction force substantially proportional to the displacement except for the initial state) is generated.
The dome-shaped rubber member (second urging means) 9 is coupled to the damper pedal 1 from the middle of the stroke of the damper pedal 1 and starts to be displaced by further depressing operation of the damper pedal 1. A reaction force having a second characteristic that the rate of change of the reaction force (increment value of reaction force / increment value of stroke) decreases is generated.
The dome-shaped rubber member 9 includes a first switch that detects a first displacement state while the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is increasing. In addition, there may be provided a second switch for detecting a second displacement state in the middle of increasing displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9.
The variable resistor 10 is a stroke sensor that continuously outputs a continuous value (analog value) of a voltage corresponding to the stroke of the damper pedal 1. Hereinafter, when the variable resistor 10 is functionally understood and described, it may be simply referred to as a stroke sensor 10.

Next, details of the structure will be described.
In the damper pedal 1, 1a is an operation part, 1b is an upper surface part, 1c is a left side part, 1d is a right side part (FIG. 1 (b)), and 1e is a fulcrum part. The rear part (right side in the figure) of the damper pedal 1 has a U-shaped vertical cross section with a recess 1f opened downward. The tongue piece cut and raised from the hole of the upper surface portion 1b becomes the fulcrum portion 1e.
An actuator 11 is attached to the inside of the recess 1f of the damper pedal with a screw 12a. This is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped of a synthetic resin material, and faces the dome-shaped rubber member 9 with a gap g therebetween when the damper pedal 1 is not pushed in.
A guided member 13 is attached to the upper surface portion 1b of the damper pedal with a screw 12b. This is formed in a box shape opening rearward. Two small projections 13c and 13d project from the left plate portion 13a and the right plate portion 13b (FIG. 1B) of the guided member, respectively.

On the other hand, the pedal frame 2 has a front plate 2b and a rear plate 2c bent vertically with respect to the bottom plate 2a.
The front plate 2b is formed with a rectangular front opening 2d, from which the damper pedal operating portion 1a is exposed. The upper portions of the left and right sides of the front opening 2d are bent rearward to form a left guide plate 2e and a right guide plate 2f (FIG. 1B). These guide the swing of the pedal frame 2 while contacting the small protrusions 13c and 13d of the guided member.
Further, the lower side of the front opening 2d is bent backward to form the mounting plate 2g. A lower limit stopper 3 made of felt or the like is attached here. On the other hand, the upper side of the front plate 2b is bent rearward to become the front upper plate 2h. An upper limit stopper 4 made of felt or the like is attached to the lower surface. In the state shown in the figure, the upper plate portion 13 e of the guided member is in contact with the upper limit stopper 4.

A rear opening 2i is formed in the rear plate 2c. The rear opening 2i is U-shaped, and the rear end of the damper pedal 1 is inserted into the rear opening 2i. The fulcrum 1e abuts on the rear opening 2i, and the upper surface 1b is prevented from coming off by a screw 12c. . The rear plate 2c serves as a support portion for the damper pedal 1. The upper side of the rear plate 2c is bent rearward to become the rear upper plate 2j.
The damper pedal 1 swings about the fulcrum 1e as a fulcrum when the player steps on the operation unit 1a. The lower limit stopper 3 and the upper limit stopper 4 define the entire stroke range of the damper pedal 1.

A spring mounting portion 2k is formed on the bottom plate 2a. One end of the coil spring 5 is placed on the spring mounting portion 2k, and the other end biases the recess 1f of the damper pedal.
In the illustrated example, the dome-shaped rubber member 9 and the coil spring 5 are arranged in order from the fulcrum 1e side in the longitudinal direction of the damper pedal 1, but the arrangement may be reversed.
The pedal frame 2 is coupled and fixed to the main body of the electronic keyboard instrument or its pedestal at the front upper plate 2h and the rear upper plate 2j. The pedal frame 2 includes a screw-type adjuster (not shown) on the bottom plate 2a, so that the distance between the pedal frame 2 and the floor surface can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a pin attachment member 14 is attached to the upper surface portion 1b of the damper pedal 1 with screws 12d. A pin 14 a protrudes from the right side plate of the pin mounting member 14.
On the other hand, the side plate 7 is vertically attached to the attachment portions 2m and 2n cut and raised from the bottom plate 2a by screws 12e. The output terminal of the variable resistor 10 fixed to the side plate 7 is connected to the wiring of the main printed wiring board 6 through the sub printed wiring board 8.
The link member 15 has a notch 15b that engages with the pin 14a while the shaft hole 15a is fitted and fixed to the shaft 10a of the variable resistor. When the damper pedal 1 swings, the link member 15 rotates the shaft of the variable resistor 10. A voltage is applied between the fixed terminals of the variable resistor 10, and the output voltage of the movable terminal of the variable resistor 10 becomes a value corresponding to the stroke of the damper pedal 1 (output value of the stroke sensor).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structure diagram showing a specific example of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 in FIG. One side when the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is cut by a vertical plane passing through its central axis is shown.
2 (a) shows a first switch (first movable contact 22, first fixed contact pair 24a, 24b) for detecting a first displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, a dome-shaped rubber member. 9 includes a second switch (second movable contact 23, first fixed contact pair 25a, 25b) for detecting the second displacement state.
Since these switches are built in the dome-shaped rubber member 9, a detection member for detecting the displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is newly added, or the installation space for these detection members is reduced. It is not necessary to secure in the vicinity of.
These switches are for associating the change in the reaction force realized by the dome-shaped rubber member 9 with the half pedal area AH defined by the output of the stroke sensor 10. Description will be made with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an elastic rubber member, and reference numerals 22 and 23 denote conductive first and second movable contacts. On the upper surface of the main printed wiring board 6, a first fixed contact pair 24a, 24b and a second fixed contact pair 25a, 25b are formed.
In the rubber member 21, reference numeral 21 a denotes a base part, which is a part attached to the main printed wiring board 6. 21b is a first outer dome whose meat part bulges upward in a ring shape from the base part 21a and bends toward the center at the shoulder part. 21c is a second outer dome whose flesh portion is coupled and integrated with the center of the upper end of the first outer dome 21b, bulges upward in a ring shape, and bends toward the center at the shoulder. is there.
The skirt portion of the second outer dome 21c extends from the coupling portion with the first outer dome 21b to the lower side of the first outer dome 21b, and the lower end thereof becomes the first movable portion 21d. A first movable contact 22 having conductivity is formed on the lower surface. The first movable contact 22 is opposed to the first fixed contact pair 24a, 24b with a first predetermined distance.

21e is a cylindrical driven part that is coupled to the center side of the upper end of the second outer dome 21c and extends vertically upward. This is the top of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 and faces the actuator 11 of the damper pedal 1. The driven portion 21e is not necessarily a hollow cylindrical shape, and may be a columnar shape (solid cylindrical shape) or a rectangular flat plate shape.
Reference numeral 21f denotes an inner dome that is coupled and integrated with the center side of the upper end of the second outer dome 21c and bulges downward. This bottom portion becomes the second movable portion 21g, and a movable contact 23 is formed on the lower surface thereof. The second movable contact 23 is opposed to the second fixed contact pair 25a, 25b formed on the main printed wiring board 6 with a second predetermined distance.

The illustrated base portion 21a has a rectangular out-of-plane shape, and holes 21h are formed at four locations around the upper surface of the base portion 21a. On the other hand, leg portions 21i extend from the lower surface to the extension of the axial center of the hole 21h. Molded to protrude. The base 21 a is attached to the main printed wiring board 6 by fitting the leg 21 i into a through hole (not shown) provided in the main printed wiring board 6 and the bottom plate 2 a of the pedal frame.
An internal space is formed between the rubber member 21 and the main printed wiring board 6. The illustrated base portion 21a has a groove 21j formed in a part of its bottom surface (in the illustrated example, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the damper pedal 1), and serves as an air circulation hole.

The conductor patterns of the first fixed contact pair 24a, 24b and the second fixed contact pair 25a, 25b in the main printed wiring board 6 are not limited to the illustrated ring shape or disk shape, and different conductor patterns can be used.
The wiring pattern for connecting the above-described fixed contact pairs and circuit components is not shown. This wiring pattern is provided on the upper surface of the main printed wiring board 6 or is provided on the lower surface or intermediate layer of the main printed wiring board 6 via a conductor connecting the layers.

2 (b) includes only a first switch (movable contact 32, fixed contact pair 33a, 33b).
31 is a rubber member having elasticity, and 32 is a movable contact. Fixed contact pairs 33 a and 33 b are formed on the upper surface of the main printed wiring board 6.
In the rubber member 31, 31a is a base part. 31b is an outer dome in which the flesh portion bulges upward in a ring shape from the base portion 31a and bends to the center side at the shoulder portion.
Reference numeral 31c denotes a cylindrical driven part that is coupled to a part of the upper end 31d of the outer dome 31b that is slightly away from the inner diameter of the upper end 31d in the radial direction and extends vertically upward. The driven portion 31 c becomes the top of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 and faces the actuator 11.
31e is an inner dome that is coupled to the central side of the upper end 31d and is integrated and bulges downward. This bottom portion becomes the movable portion 31f, and a movable contact 32 having conductivity is formed on the lower surface thereof.

The base portion 31a has a rectangular out-of-plane shape, similar to the base portion 21a shown in FIG. 2A, and has a hole 31g formed on the upper surface thereof and a leg portion 31h formed on the lower surface thereof.
On the upper surface of the main printed wiring board 6, a ring-shaped and circular fixed contact pair 33 a and 33 b are formed facing the above-described movable contact 32 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. As the conductor pattern, a conductor pattern different from the illustrated ring shape or disk shape can be used.
An inner space is formed by attaching the base portion 31a to the main printed wiring board 6, and an air circulation hole is formed by the groove 31g.

  The first outer dome 21b, the second outer dome 21c, and the inner dome 21f shown in FIG. 2A described above, and the outer dome 31b and the inner dome 31d shown in FIG. Although it is rotationally symmetric, it is not always necessary, and as long as it has a dome shape that causes buckling deformation, it may be an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like when viewed in plan view.

FIG. 3A is a graph showing an example of displacement-load characteristics of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. In the figure, the vertical axis represents the load applied to the dome-shaped rubber member 9, and the horizontal axis represents the displacement of the top of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 (driven portion 21e).
FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the rate of change of the load with respect to the displacement. In the figure, the vertical axis represents the load change rate, and the horizontal axis represents the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9.

When the damper pedal 1 presses the dome-shaped rubber member 9, the damper pedal 1 receives a reaction force having a magnitude equal to the load, and a reaction force having a magnitude corresponding to the reaction force is transmitted through the damper pedal 1. Is transmitted to.
The characteristic curve 41 shown in the figure is the load characteristic of the forward stroke, the characteristic curve 42 is the reaction force characteristic of the backward stroke, the characteristic curve 43 is the rate of change in the load of the forward stroke (increment value of load / increment value of displacement), in other words, the characteristic curve. The first derivative of 41 is shown.
In the displacement start region at the initial pressing stage of the forward characteristic curve 41, the load is small and the change rate of the load is small.
In this displacement start region, a slight load is applied from the starting characteristic point 41a, whereby the first outer dome 21b shown in FIG. 2A is compressed, and at the characteristic point 41b, the first movable contact 22 is compressed. Thus, the first switch SWa is designed to be turned on when the first fixed contact pair 24a, 24b becomes conductive.

The displacement position when the first switch SWa is turned on is an arbitrary displacement position in the above-described displacement start area, an upper limit position (characteristic point 41d) of the displacement start area, or a displacement within a slightly larger range. It may be a position. In the illustrated example, the upper limit position (characteristic point 41d) of the displacement start region is a position where the rate of change of the load is maximized.
The first switch SWa does not necessarily have to be turned on at the illustrated characteristic point 41b. The first switch SWa may detect a displacement state in which the rate of change of the load increases most immediately after the start of displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof. As a result, at the timing when the first switch SWa is turned on, a displacement state in which the player feels through the damper pedal 1 and the rate of change of the reaction force increases the most or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof is detected. The

When the load is gradually increased even after the displacement exceeds the characteristic point 41d, the reaction force increases at a positive rate of change, but the rate of change decreases, and at the characteristic point 41c, the rate of change of the reaction force starts from 0. Then, it turns negative, and then the reaction force decreases slightly. This is because the second outer dome 21c of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is gradually buckled and deformed from the middle of the displacement.
Here, at the characteristic point 41c, the second switch SWb is turned on when the second fixed contact pair 25a, 25b is conducted by the second movable contact 23.

As shown by the characteristic curve 43 in FIG. 3B, the rate of decrease in the reaction force change rate shown in FIG. 3B is substantially constant from the characteristic point 41b to the displacement state slightly larger than the characteristic point 41c. However, it is also the region where the rate of change of reaction force decreases most.
Therefore, at the timing when the second switch SWb is turned on, the displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force is greatly reduced or the displacement state in the vicinity thereof is detected while the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is increasing. .

After the displacement exceeds the characteristic point 41c, the inner dome 21f is also compressed and deformed, but the reaction force is designed to be sufficiently small.
Finally, since the second outer dome 21c is bottomed (contacts the main printed wiring board 6), the rate of change increases rapidly as shown in the figure. However, the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is used within such a range that does not reach the bottom.
On the other hand, in the characteristic curve 42 of the backward stroke, the load due to the same displacement amount is reduced due to the hysteresis due to the material and structure of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, but finally returns to the initial shape. In the return process, the second switch SWb and the first switch SWa described above change from on to off at the displacement position where the switch is turned off in the forward process.

Although the load characteristics of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. 2B are not shown, the load characteristics are similar to those in FIG. 3 in principle.
When the load is slightly applied in the displacement start region, the outer dome 31b shown in FIG. 2B is compressed, and at the same time, the inner dome 31e is moved downward, and the fixed contact pair 33a, 33b is moved by the movable contact 32. Is turned on, the first switch SWa is turned on. The first switch SWa detects a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force increases most immediately after the start of displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof.
After the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b are turned on by the movable contact 32, the reaction force increases rapidly, but the rate of change decreases, similar to the characteristic curve 41 in FIG. 3, and the rate of change at the characteristic point 41c. Becomes zero, turns negative, and then the reaction force decreases slightly. This is because the outer dome 31b of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is gradually buckled.

Fig.4 (a) is a graph which shows the outline | summary of the reaction force characteristic of the damper pedal 1 in embodiment shown in FIG. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the stroke of the damper pedal 1, and the vertical axis represents the reaction force that the damper pedal 1 applies to the player. The case where the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. 2A having the load characteristics shown in FIG. 3 is used will be described.
51 is a characteristic curve of the forward process of the damper pedal 1. Although not shown in the figure, the characteristic curve of the reverse process is different from the characteristic curve 51 due to the hysteresis caused by the frictional force of the structure shown in FIG. 1 in addition to the hysteresis of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. It becomes. In the return stroke, the second switch SWb and the first switch SWa are turned from on to off at the stroke value turned from off to on in the forward process.

The characteristic curve 51 is divided into four areas so as to correspond to the areas A0, A1, A2, and A3 of the characteristic curve 151 of the grand piano shown in FIG.
In a region A0 where the stroke of the damper pedal 1 is small, a reaction force due to only the coil spring 5 works. When the performer starts depressing the damper pedal 1 from the state shown in FIG. 1, the damper pedal 1 starts to rotate.
At that time, the reaction force change rate (reaction force increment value / stroke increment value) temporarily increases with the initial reaction force, but increases at a substantially constant change rate.

While the player deepens the depression of the damper pedal 1 and the stroke becomes larger, the actuator 11 comes into contact with the driven portion 21e of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 at the characteristic point 51a, and the gap g = 0 is obtained. As the outer dome 21b starts to deform, the resultant force of the coil spring 5 and the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is applied to the damper pedal 1, so that the rate of change of the reaction force increases.
The stroke at which the characteristic point 51a is reached is determined by the gap g in FIG.
In FIG. 4A, a characteristic line 52 indicated by a dotted line is a characteristic curve indicating a reaction force contribution of the coil spring 5 after the actuator 11 contacts the dome-shaped rubber member 9. Note that the contribution of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 varies depending on the arrangement position of the dome-shaped rubber member 9.

When the player further depresses the damper pedal 1, the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 changes with the rate of change of the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG.
The characteristic point 51c corresponds to the characteristic point 41c in FIG. 3A, and the displacement position where the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 decreases most greatly or in the vicinity thereof while the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 increases. It is. In the illustrated characteristic point 51 c, the change rate of the reaction force is equal to the change rate of the characteristic curve 52. That is, it becomes equal to the rate of change of the reaction force in the region A0.
When the stroke exceeds the characteristic point 51c, the region A2 is obtained. When the lower end of the left side surface portion 1c and the right side surface portion 1d of the damper pedal 1 comes into contact with the lower limit stopper 3, the region A3 is reached, the rate of change of the reaction force increases rapidly in the positive direction, and the reaction force also increases.
The characteristic curve 51 shown in FIG. 4A is not exactly the same as the characteristic curve 151 in the grand piano shown in FIG. However, the characteristic curve 51 becomes a characteristic close to the reaction force characteristic of a damper pedal in an acoustic piano, as compared with the conventional technique in which the reaction force change rate is constant or the reaction force change rate increases from the middle. .

FIG. 4B is a graph showing an example of output characteristics of the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10 in the embodiment shown in FIG. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the stroke, the vertical axis represents the sensor output value V, and 55 represents the input / output characteristic line.
In the illustrated example, the sensor output value V is proportional to the stroke of the damper pedal 1. The sensor output V becomes the first output value Va at the timing when the first switch SWa is turned on, and the sensor output V becomes the second output value Vb at the timing when the second switch SWb is turned on. .
Here, when the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. 2B is used, the second switch SWb does not exist.

The characteristics of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 described with reference to FIG. 3 are an example. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, desirable characteristics as the reaction force characteristics of the damper pedal 1 will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a desirable displacement-load characteristic model for the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a displacement-load characteristic model of the dome-shaped rubber member 9.
FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the rate of change of the load with respect to the displacement.
In the figure, 61 is a characteristic curve showing the forward characteristic of the dome-shaped rubber member 9. Illustration of the backward characteristic curve is omitted. Reference numeral 61 ′ denotes a load change rate (increment value of load ÷ increment value of displacement) of the characteristic curve 61.

The load is small and the rate of change of the load is small in the displacement start region (up to the displacement position d2) at the initial pressing stage. The first switch SWa provided on the dome-shaped rubber member 9 causes a displacement state (displacement position d1) in which the rate of change of the load increases the most in this displacement start region, or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof (displacement as a guideline). Detect from position 0 to d2.
The load gradually rises and rises at a substantially constant positive change rate from the displacement position d2. The rate of change of the load gradually decreases from the displacement position d3, and then becomes a substantially constant small positive change rate from the displacement position d5.

Due to the second switch SWb provided on the dome-shaped rubber member 9, the displacement state (displacement position d4) in which the rate of change of the reaction force is greatly reduced between the displacement positions d3 and d5 or in the vicinity thereof Detect the displacement state (displacement position d3 to d5 as a guide).
The characteristic curve 61 described above is caused by the shoulder portion of the bent portion of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 being deformed and entering below. The dome-shaped rubber member 9 is used within a range of displacement where the bent portion does not bottom. In the backward stroke, the load for the same amount of displacement decreases due to hysteresis, but eventually the buckling deformation is eliminated and the initial shape is restored.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a reaction force characteristic model of the damper pedal 1 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
In the figure, 71 is a characteristic curve of the forward stroke of the damper pedal 1, and 76 is a characteristic curve showing the reaction force contribution of the coil spring 4.
The characteristic of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is assumed to be a characteristic curve 61 shown in FIG.
In the depression operation of the damper pedal 1, the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 is temporarily increased by the initial reaction force, but increases at a substantially constant rate of change by the coil spring 5 in the region A0.
Thereafter, the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 increases from the characteristic point 71a in the middle of the stroke (the dome-shaped rubber member 9 abuts against the damper pedal 1), and the reaction force changes at the stroke value S1 of the characteristic point 71b. The rate of change is the largest increase (in terms of differentiation, the second derivative of the reaction force is maximized).

During the subsequent stroke, the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 increases monotonously, but the rate of change begins to decrease over time, and the rate of change of the reaction force decreases the most at the stroke value S2 of the characteristic point 71c (expressed as a differential). In this case, after the second derivative of the reaction force becomes minimum), the rate of change takes a substantially constant small positive value.
When the damper pedal 1 contacts the lower limit stopper 3, the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 increases rapidly.

The first switch SWa is turned on at or near the stroke value S1 described above, and the second switch SWb is turned on at or near the stroke value S2 described above.
However, if the first switch SWa is designed to be turned on immediately after the damper pedal 1 contacts the dome-shaped rubber member 9, the first switch SWa is turned on with a slight displacement. . For this reason, if there is a manufacturing error or deformation of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, the first switch SWa may be always on even before the damper pedal 1 contacts the dome-shaped rubber member 9. Therefore, it is desirable that the first switch SWa detects a state in which the damper pedal 1 is deformed to some extent after the damper pedal 1 contacts the dome-shaped rubber member 9.

According to the characteristic curve 71 of the damper pedal 1 described above, the first stage (region A1) in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the damper pedal increases from the middle of the stroke of the damper pedal 1, and then the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 A step-like touch change, that is, a second stage (region A2) in which the rate of change decreases, is obtained.
The amount of stepwise reaction force change from the first stage to the second stage should be the same level as the initial reaction force at the start of the stroke, and must be within the range of 1/2 to 2 times the initial reaction force. Is desirable.
In addition, since the rate of change in the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 decreases in the second stage described above, an increase in the reaction force (push-off load) when the damper pedal 1 comes into contact with the lower limit stopper 3 is suppressed. .

Here, in FIG. 6, if the characteristic curve of the damper pedal 1 is in a region less than the virtual line 74 (not including the virtual line 74), a relatively clear two-stage feel change can be obtained.
The imaginary line 74 indicates that after the rate of change increases from the characteristic point 71a, the rate of change increases at a constant positive rate of change without decreasing.
The corresponding characteristic curve of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. 5 is in a region less than the imaginary line 64 (not including the imaginary line 64).
The imaginary line 64 is the rate of change when the characteristic curve 61 passes the initial pressing region, and increases at a constant positive rate of change without decreasing.

In FIG. 6, if the decrease in the reaction force change rate is small at the characteristic point 71c, it is difficult to feel the touch change to the second stage. Accordingly, it is preferable that the change rate of the reaction force is equal to or less than half of the sum of the change rate of the virtual line 74 and the change rate of the virtual line 73 after the reduction rate of the reaction force in the middle of the stroke (area A2). . Furthermore, it is desirable that the rate of change of the virtual line 73 is less than the value.
This imaginary line 73 is a characteristic that decreases until the rate of change of the reaction force becomes equal to the rate of change of the characteristic curve 76 (characteristic curve indicating the reaction force contribution of the coil spring 4). In other words, it is desirable to be in a region (not including the virtual line 73) less than the virtual line 73 as in the characteristic curve 72.

5 corresponding to this, the change rate of the characteristic curve of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 shown in FIG. Furthermore, as in the characteristic curve 62, the area is less than the virtual line 63 (not including the virtual line 63). The characteristic curve 41 previously shown in FIG. 3 also satisfies this condition.
The imaginary line 63 increases while maintaining the positive rate of change of the characteristic curve 64 after the load has passed the initial displacement start region, but the rate of change gradually decreases, and then the rate of change becomes zero. Is. Therefore, as the dome-shaped rubber member 9, a member having such a characteristic that the rate of change of the reaction force with respect to the displacement changes from positive to negative during the displacement.

On the other hand, as a characteristic of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, in FIG. There is also an advantage to use.
In this characteristic, although the level difference becomes small or the pushing load becomes heavy, the rate of change of the reaction force with respect to the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 decreases without becoming a negative value in the middle of the displacement. It is a characteristic. In this case, the durability of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is improved, and the deformation operation of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is stabilized.

For example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the thickness of the cylindrical portion below the shoulders of the second outer dome 21c and the outer dome 31b, which are bent portions of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, is changed to the base portion 21a, If it is made thicker as it approaches the 31a side, the decrease in the rate of change in the middle of the displacement becomes smaller, and the characteristics approach the virtual line 64.
On the other hand, the second outer dome 21c and the outer dome 31b, which are bent portions of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, have the same cylindrical thickness below the shoulder and the same diameter. If this is done, as shown by the characteristic curve 62, the decrease in the rate of change during the displacement will increase.
The dome-shaped rubber member 9 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2, but may be a hemispherical shape, a semi-elliptical spherical shape, a truncated cone shape, or a cylindrical shape.

Next, the half pedal area AH will be described with reference to FIG.
As described with reference to FIG. 12, in the grand piano, the area AH ′ is conventionally referred to as a half pedal area.
On the other hand, in the damper pedal device of the electronic keyboard instrument of the present application, the region AH is a typical half pedal region, the region A0 is a pedal off region, and the region A1 is a pedal on region.
In this half pedal area AH, the performer can finely adjust the depression of the damper pedal 1 to control the musical sound.

In an acoustic piano, the damper that is in contact with the string starts to lift at the timing when the stroke shown in FIG. 12 shifts from the region A0 to the region AH. Although it is slight at this timing, it is speculated that it is starting to change. Therefore, even if the half pedal area is set to AH, it is not different from the tone control of the acoustic piano.
The lower limit of the half pedal area AH is the stroke value S1 or the vicinity thereof. The upper limit of the half pedal area AH is the stroke value S2 or the vicinity thereof. As a result, the player can easily perceive the half pedal area AH due to the two-stage change in the reaction force change rate of the damper pedal 1.
Further, the lower limit value of the half pedal area AH is lower than that of the conventional half pedal area AH ′. Therefore, half pedal control can be performed from the time when the stepping force is still weak with respect to the force at which the performer depresses the damper pedal to the maximum. As a result, a delicate half pedal control can be performed without applying much force.

However, the half pedal area AH (the lower limit stroke value and the upper limit stroke value) is adapted to the user's preference. It can be arbitrarily set by the user's selection operation.
For example, you may set like AHa and AHb of illustration. The half pedal area AHa has the stroke position of the characteristic point 71a as a lower limit, and the half pedal area AHb corresponds to the half pedal area AH 'shown in FIG.
As will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the lower limit position and the upper limit position of the half pedal region and the stroke positions S1 and S2 detected by the timing when the first and second switches SWa and SWb are turned on. May not match.

In order to facilitate the player's operation of the damper pedal, it is desirable to set the half pedal area AH so as to correspond to a change in the reaction force of the damper pedal.
The step change of the reaction force of the damper pedal is based on the change of the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9. However, the output of the stroke sensor 10 cannot directly detect the displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member 9. On the other hand, the half pedal area AH is defined by the output value of the stroke sensor 10.
Therefore, it is necessary to associate the change in the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 with the half pedal area AH. However, a damper pedal realized by the dome-shaped rubber member 9 due to manufacturing errors (tolerances) of components such as the upper limit stopper 4, the dome-shaped rubber member 9, the link member 15 and the wear and deformation due to secular change. There is a problem that correspondence between the change in the reaction force of 1 and the half pedal area AH defined by the output value of the stroke sensor 10 is shifted.

Therefore, the displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is detected by using the first switch SWa and the second switch SWb, so that the change of the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is used as a reference. A conversion characteristic for converting the output of the stroke sensor 10 into the pedal operation value P is set after eliminating the shift of the half pedal area AH defined by the output.
As a result, the change in the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 can be associated with the change in the musical sound controlled by the damper pedal 1.
Therefore, the process described later with reference to FIG. 10 is executed. Before explaining this processing, the correspondence shift will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a stroke sensor output deviation occurrence example 1 and a technique for obtaining a pedal operation value P without deviation in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Fig.7 (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the reaction force characteristic model of the damper pedal 1 shown in FIG. A characteristic curve 71 indicated by a broken line is the characteristic curve 71 shown in FIG. 6, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG.
However, in the illustrated example, the first switch SW1 is set to be turned on at a relative position of 20% of the half pedal area AH (the lower limit position is 0% and the upper limit position is 100%). Therefore, the reference symbol SW1 different from the first switch SWa shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 is used.

The relative position when the first switch SW1 is turned on can be arbitrarily determined. If the setting of the relative position is changed, the half pedal area AH can be changed.
For example, when the relative position is set to 0%, the lower limit position of the half pedal area AH is detected when the first switch SW1 is turned on. In this case, the first switch SW1 is the first switch SWa shown in FIGS.
The relative position when the first switch SW1 is turned on may exceed the half pedal area AH. For example, the relative position may be 120%. As a result, the stroke S1 that is the upper limit and the stroke S2 that is the lower limit of the half pedal area AH can be freely set.
In this output deviation example 1, the second switch is not required.

This example is an example where the gap g deviates from the design value in the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG.
If the gap g is larger than the design value, the stroke S at which the dome-shaped rubber member 9 abuts against the damper pedal 1 increases by Δs as shown by the characteristic curve 81. Since the overall reaction force characteristic of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 has little secular change, the characteristic points 71a to 71c are all translated by Δs to become characteristic points 81a to 81c. The half pedal area AH is set so as to correspond to a change in the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9. Accordingly, the half pedal area AH (S1 ′ ≦ S ≦ S2 ′) in the characteristic curve 71 is translated by Δs in the characteristic curve 81 to become the half pedal area AH (S1 ≦ S ≦ S2). The characteristic point 71d detected by the first switch SW1 also moves by Δs and moves to the characteristic point 82.

FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of the stroke sensor 10, which is the same as that shown in FIG. Reference numeral 55 denotes an input / output characteristic line.
When the half pedal area AH moves in parallel, the values of S1 and S2 change, but the value of (S2−S1) does not change. Further, since the slope of the input / output characteristic line 55 does not change, the width (V2−V1) of the half pedal area AH defined by the output (output voltage) of the stroke sensor 10 does not change.
The first switch SW1 is set to be turned on at the first relative position (20%) with respect to the half pedal area AH. Even if the half pedal area AH moves, the relative position does not change.
Therefore, if the sensor output value Vsw1 at the timing when the first switch SW1 is turned on is acquired, the sensor output values V1, S2 in S1, S2 are proportionally distributed according to (V2−V1) according to the relative position (20%). I know V2. As a result, the half pedal area AH defined by the sensor output V is known.

FIG. 7C is a graph showing the relationship between the sensor output V and the pedal operation value P. The horizontal axis represents the sensor output V, and the vertical axis represents the pedal operation value P. Reference numeral 83 denotes a conversion characteristic line, which is an effect curve of half pedal control.
In the damper off area A0 where the sensor output value V <V1, the pedal operation value P = Pa, and in the half pedal area AH where the sensor output value V (V1 ≦ V ≦ V2), the pedal operation value P (proportional to the sensor output value V) Pa ≦ P ≦ Pb), and the pedal operation value P = Pb in the damper on region A1 where the sensor output value V> V2.
Here, if expressed in percentage, Pa = 0% and Pb = 100%, and if expressed in the operation output of the damper pedal in the MIDI standard, P0 = 0 and P1 = 127.
If the pedal operation value P is output according to the conversion characteristic line 83, the pedal operation value P corresponding to the change in the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 is output.

Hereinafter, the operation will be described by exemplifying specific numerical values.
Stroke S1 = 5mm to S2 = 15mm is the half pedal area AH (0-100%). When the timing at which the first switch SW1 is turned on is a stroke of 20% of the half pedal area AH, the first switch SW1 is turned on with a stroke of Ssw1 = 7 mm.
Here, it is assumed that the stroke Ssw1 = 9 mm at the timing when the first switch SW1 is turned on due to aging of the mechanical parts (calculated from the sensor output V and the input / output characteristic line 55).
In the case described above, the stroke Ssw1 = 9 mm must be set to a position 20% of the half pedal area AH. In other words, from the next time, the stroke S1 = 7 mm to S2 = 17 mm is set as the half pedal area AH, and the setting is changed so that the electronic keyboard instrument operates. As a result, the change in the reaction force matches the half pedal area.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a stroke sensor output deviation occurrence example 2 and a technique for obtaining a pedal operation value P without deviation in the embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a reaction force characteristic model of the damper pedal 1 shown in FIG. The characteristic curve 71 is the same as the characteristic curve 71 shown in FIG.
The first switch SW1 is set to be turned on at a first relative position of 20% of the half pedal area AH.

This example is an example when the input / output characteristic line 55 of the stroke sensor 10 is shifted by Δs in the stroke S direction in the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of the stroke sensor 10. Reference numeral 55 denotes an input / output characteristic line of the stroke sensor 10, which coincides with that shown in FIG. 92 is an input / output characteristic line of the stroke sensor 10 when the input / output characteristic line 55 is shifted by Δs in the stroke S direction.

In this example, since the characteristic curve 71 itself does not change, neither the half pedal area AH (S1 to S2) nor the first relative position (20%) at which the first switch SW1 is turned on is changed. Since the slope of the input / output characteristic line 92 is not different from the slope of the input / output characteristic line 55, the value of (V2-V1) is not changed.
Therefore, if the sensor output value Vsw1 at the timing when the first switch SW1 is turned on is acquired, the sensor output values V1, S2 in S1, S2 are proportionally distributed according to (V2−V1) according to the relative position (20%). I know V2. As a result, the half pedal area AH defined by the sensor output V is known.
FIG. 8C is a graph showing the relationship between the sensor output V and the pedal operation value P. Reference numeral 83 denotes a conversion characteristic line.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a stroke sensor output deviation occurrence example 3 and a technique for obtaining a pedal operation value P without deviation in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Fig.9 (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the reaction force characteristic model of the damper pedal 1 shown in FIG. The characteristic curve 71 is the same as the characteristic curve 71 shown in FIG.
In this example, the second switch SW2 is required.
In the illustrated example, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are set to be turned on at the relative positions of 20% and 80% of the half pedal area AH, respectively.
It is known that the secular change is sufficiently small in the displacement position difference between the first displacement state detected by the first switch SW1 and the second displacement state detected by the second switch SW2.

In this example, the slope of the input / output characteristic line of the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10 is changed. For example, there is a case where the resistance value varies from part to part due to manufacturing variations in the coating thickness of the carbon film of the variable resistor 10.
FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing characteristics of the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10.
Reference numeral 55 denotes an input / output characteristic line of the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10, which coincides with that shown in FIG. Reference numeral 102 denotes an input / output characteristic line whose inclination changes with respect to the input / output characteristic line 55.

In this example, since the characteristic curve 71 itself does not change, the half pedal area AH (S1 to S2) also does not change. The relative positions at which the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are turned on are not changed. Therefore, the slope of the input / output characteristic line 102 is obtained as a difference between sensor output values (Vsw2-Vsw1) / (Ssw2-Ssw1) at the timing when the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are turned on.
Therefore, if the sensor output values Vsw1 and Vsw2 at the timing when the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on are acquired, the proportional distribution of (V2−V1) according to the relative position (20%, 80%) is obtained. , S1 and S2 sensor output values V1 and V2 are known. As a result, the half pedal area AH defined by the sensor output V is known.
FIG. 9C is a graph showing the relationship between the sensor output V and the pedal operation value P. Reference numeral 103 denotes a conversion characteristic line.

In the above description, the cause of the deviation has been described in three examples. However, even when these deviations are combined, the first switch SW1 and the second switch corresponding to the displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 are used. When the sensor output value is extracted using the switch SW2, the half pedal area AH defined by the sensor output V is acquired as in Example 3 shown in FIG.
As a result, the correspondence between the change in the reaction force of the damper pedal 1 and the half pedal area AH defined by the output value of the stroke sensor 10 does not deviate due to variations in mechanical parts and aging. The value V can be converted into a pedal operation value P that is not affected by deviation.
Further, if the displacement state in which the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are turned on corresponds to the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the half pedal area AH, a sensor that defines an important lower limit and upper limit in the half pedal control. The calculation error of outputs V1 and V2 is eliminated.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10A is a functional block diagram of the first embodiment.
In the figure, blocks corresponding to the constituent members shown in FIG. However, a member different from that shown in FIG. 1 may be used.
The dome-shaped rubber member (second urging means) 9 includes a first switch 111 for detecting the first displacement state, and a second switch for detecting the second displacement state as necessary. 112.
For example, the first switch 111 detects a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 increases most immediately after the start of the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9, or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof. The second switch 112 detects a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is greatly reduced or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof while the displacement of the dome-shaped rubber member 9 is increasing.

  The first switch 111 and the second switch 112 are not limited to the electrical contact type switches as shown in FIG. For example, photocouplers are used as the first switch 111 and the second switch 112. In the dome-shaped rubber member 9 in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a highly reflective paint is applied to the lower surfaces of the movable parts 21 d, 21 g, and 31 f, and a photo is applied to the upper surface of the main printed wiring board 6. Provide a coupler. When the amount of light received by the photocoupler exceeds a threshold value (first threshold value, second threshold value), the first displacement state and the second displacement state are detected.

  For example, a conductive rubber, a piezoelectric sensor, or the like is used as the first switch 111. 2B, the inner dome 31e is eliminated, the upper end of the outer dome 31b is closed, and the driven portion 31c is provided thereon. Conductive rubber, a piezoelectric sensor or the like is attached to the top of the driven portion 31c, and a wiring for connecting the terminal and the printed wiring board 6 is provided on the rubber member 31. The contact of the actuator 11 with the driven portion 31c is detected by the change in the resistance value of the conductive rubber and the voltage generation of the piezoelectric sensor.

  The variable resistor 10 is a specific example of a stroke sensor that continuously detects a value corresponding to the stroke of the damper pedal 1. A reflective optical sensor can also be used as the stroke sensor. The reflective optical sensor is disposed above the upper surface portion 1b of the damper pedal. The light emitted from the light emitting part is reflected by the upper surface part 1b, and the light receiving part receives the reflected light. Since the amount of received light changes according to the distance between the reflective optical sensor and the upper surface portion 1 b, the reflective optical sensor outputs a continuous amount according to the stroke amount of the damper pedal 1.

The pedal operation output unit 113 includes a sensor output extraction unit 114, a conversion characteristic setting unit 115, and a conversion unit 116.
The sensor output extraction unit 114 outputs the output value of the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10 at the timing when the first displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member (second urging means) 9 is detected by the first switch 111. V is extracted as the first output value (Vsw1), and at the timing when the second displacement state of the dome-shaped rubber member (second urging means) 9 is detected by the second switch 112 (when used). The output value of the stroke sensor 10 is extracted as the second output value (Vsw2).

In the conversion characteristic setting unit 115, the first output value (Vsw1) and the second output value (Vsw2) extracted by the sensor output extraction unit 114 are the first relative position (for example, 20%) with respect to the half pedal area AH. ), The half pedal area AH defined by the output values V1 and V2 of the stroke sensor 10 is set so as to be a value indicating the second relative position (for example, 80%). Based on the set half pedal area AH, a conversion characteristic for converting the output value V of the stroke sensor 10 into the pedal operation value P is set.
The conversion characteristic setting unit 115 updates the conversion characteristic at a predetermined update timing.
The conversion characteristic setting unit 115 also sets the conversion characteristic so that the value indicating the first relative position becomes, for example, a value indicating the lower limit (0%) of the half pedal area AH, or sets the second relative position. The half pedal area AH can be changed by changing the conversion characteristics so that the indicated value becomes a value indicating the upper limit (100%) of the half pedal area AH.

The conversion unit 116 converts the output value of the stroke sensor 10 to the pedal operation value P based on the conversion characteristics (FIGS. 7C, 8C, and 9C) set by the conversion characteristic setting unit 115. Is converted and output, and the subsequent tone control block controls the characteristics of the tone produced by the electronic keyboard instrument.
When the performer steps on the damper pedal 1, the sensor output value V of the stroke sensor 10 increases, and the pedal operation value P output from the pedal operation output unit 113 becomes Pa (FIG. 7 (c), FIG. 8 (c), It becomes larger than FIG. At this time, if a musical sound is being generated, it enters the half pedal area AH, and the musical sound control block controls the characteristics of the musical sound being generated so that the half pedal effect starts to be applied.

After the conversion characteristic setting unit 115 executes the above-described conversion characteristic update, the updated conversion characteristic is validated in the operation of the damper pedal 1 after the next time. In the process of updating the conversion characteristic, a preset conversion characteristic is used.
However, if the update has been performed at an appropriate frequency in the past, the shift in the conversion characteristics is slight. Therefore, even if the conversion characteristic is updated when the damper pedal 1 is operated during actual performance, the conversion characteristic does not change much. Therefore, even if the musical tone is controlled by the pedal operation value P output based on the updated conversion characteristic. There is no sense of incongruity.

Next, the update timing will be described.
First, whenever the performer operates the damper pedal 1 during actual performance, the conversion characteristics are updated. If the update is executed every time, there is almost no difference in conversion characteristics by each update, which is substantially the same as not performing the update process.
Second, the conversion characteristics are updated at a predetermined timing, such as the first damper pedal operation after the electronic keyboard instrument is powered on. In addition, the damper pedal operation is updated by taking an average of damper pedal operations, for example, an average value from the first time immediately after power-on to the 10th time.
Third, when the performer wants to update, the performer calls the update program and executes the update.

  In any case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2) are used, the switch that is turned on with a small stroke, for example, the first switch ( When SW1) is turned on, the first output value (Vsw1) is extracted, and before the timing when the second switch (SW2) is turned on, the first output value (Vsw1) and The second output value (Vsw2) already set and stored for the second output value (Vsw2) can be used for updating.

FIG. 10B is a functional block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the conversion unit 116 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A is configured by a correction unit 117 and a reference conversion unit 118, and the output of the stroke sensor 10 is a reference stroke sensor by the correction unit 117. After the correction is made so that the output becomes the pedal output value, the reference conversion unit 118 converts it into a pedal operation value.

The conversion characteristic setting unit 119 uses the output of the stroke sensor 10 as a reference stroke sensor output (for example, the reaction force characteristic of the damper pedal 1 according to the characteristic curve 71 shown in FIG. The correction characteristic for correction is set.
For example, based on the first output value (Vsw1) and the second output value (Vsw2) (if necessary) extracted by the sensor output extraction unit 114, half defined by the output values V1 and V2 of the stroke sensor 10 Set the pedal area AH. Next, the difference between the output of the reference sensor and the output of the stroke sensor 10 is calculated and used as a correction value.

The correction unit 117 corrects the output of the stroke sensor 10 to become the output of the reference stroke sensor according to the correction characteristic set by the conversion characteristic setting unit 119. The reference stroke sensor output obtained by this correction is converted into a pedal operation value by the reference conversion unit 118 using reference conversion characteristics based on the reference half pedal area AH. The reference conversion characteristic is set in the reference conversion characteristic setting unit 120.
When changing the half pedal area AH, the reference conversion characteristic setting unit 120 changes the reference half pedal area AH, and based on the changed half pedal area AH, operates the reference stroke sensor output as a pedal operation. Convert to a value.

FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of an electronic keyboard instrument using the embodiment shown in FIGS.
A bus 121 interconnects a plurality of hardware blocks including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 122 and transfers data and programs under the control of the CPU 122.
A ROM (Read Only Memory) 123 is, for example, a flash ROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), and stores programs, parameter setting data, music data, accompaniment data files, and the like.
The CPU 122 provides a work area in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 124 and executes the program so that the function of each block and the data transfer between the blocks are executed uniformly. The time interrupt process is executed at the interrupt timing indicated by the timer 125.
In the work area of the RAM 124, for example, temporary storage areas such as a key buffer, a pedal buffer, and a flag are provided.

The external storage device 126 is an HDD (hard magnetic disk drive), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the like.
The programs and data stored in the ROM 123, the external storage device 126, and the like described above can be updated by the server device 129 via the communication network 130 and the network interface 131.
MIDI messages transferred from other MIDI devices 127 can be input via the MIDI interface 128, and conversely, MIDI messages can be transferred to other MIDI devices 127.

  The operation of the pedal device 132 and the keyboard 134 is detected by the detection circuits 133 and 135. The detection circuit 133 converts the voltage value output from the variable resistor (stroke sensor) 10 shown in FIG. 10 into a digital value, detects the ON / OFF state of the first switch 111 and the second switch 112, Output the detection result. These are transferred to the RAM 124 via the bus 121 and temporarily stored in the pedal buffer. The pedal buffer corresponds to the damper pedal, shift pedal, etc. according to the stroke value, the on / off state, and the conversion characteristics 83, 93, 103 shown in FIGS. 7 (c), 8 (c), and 9 (c). The converted pedal operation value P and the like are stored.

  The panel operator 136 is a switch for selecting a performance mode or setting a control parameter by a player, and a knob for variably adjusting a set value such as a volume level. The operation of the panel operator 136 is detected by the detection circuit 137 and output to the bus 121. The display circuit 138 controls the display 139 and transfers display image data and lighting control data in order to input a setting operation.

The CPU 122 realizes the function of the pedal operation output unit 113 shown in FIG. 10 and the function of the subsequent tone control unit. The musical sound control unit gives a damper effect to the musical sound generated by the sound source circuit 140 or controls the reverberation (sound effect) of the musical sound generated by the effect circuit 141 according to the pedal operation value P.
The CPU 122 also outputs a sound source parameter created based on the timbre set by the panel operation unit 136 to the sound source circuit 140.
The CPU 122 transfers a sound generation instruction, a mute instruction, a key pressing speed, a musical tone control parameter output from the musical tone control unit, and the like to the tone generator circuit 140 and the effect circuit 141.

The tone generator circuit 140 is generally a tone generator LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit). The tone generator circuit 140 inputs a key-on (sound generation instruction) of a certain key, starts generating a musical tone signal having a pitch assigned to this key, inputs a key-off (mute instruction) for this key, and performs a mute process. Start.
The effect circuit 141 gives an effect such as reverberation to the musical sound waveform signal and outputs it to the sound system 142. The sound system 142 adjusts the volume of the musical sound signal, amplifies it, and outputs it to a speaker, headphones, or the like.

Various methods are known for tone color control in the damper pedal on area A2 and the half pedal area AH. Here, a specific example is briefly described.
The tone generator circuit 140 stores the tone waveform data of the resonance sound in the musical sound waveform data memory together with the tone waveform data of the normal key press corresponding to each pitch.
When the pedal operation value P = Pb, if a musical sound of a certain pitch is in a sounding continuation state, the decay rate of the volume level of this musical sound is made more gradual than when the pedal operation value P = Pa. At the same time, a resonance sound is generated that is added by the musical sound that is continuously sounding.
When the pedal operation value P is Pa <P <Pb, the decay rate of the tone musical tone and the resonance sound in the above-described sounding continuation state is controlled according to the pedal operation value P. As the pedal operation value P increases, the amount of attenuation of the volume level decreases.
Instead of controlling the attenuation amount of the musical sound waveform according to the pedal operation value P, the sound source waveform data itself may be switched to a different one.

  The pedal device shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 is not only realized as a part of the electronic keyboard instrument as shown in FIG. 11, but may be a single product of the pedal device. This pedal device single product is connected to the electronic keyboard instrument body shown in FIG. 11 via a MIDI interface, a USB interface, etc., and outputs a pedal operation value P.

However, when the setting of the half pedal area AH is changed in the electronic keyboard instrument body, in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 10A, for example, the output voltage V of the stroke sensor 10 and the first output of the sensor output extraction unit 114 It is necessary to transfer the value Vsw1 and the second output value Vsw2 to the electronic keyboard instrument body. The electronic keyboard instrument body includes a conversion characteristic setting unit 115 and a conversion unit 116, and the conversion characteristic setting unit 115 changes the setting of the half pedal area AH.
On the other hand, in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 10B, the output V of the reference stroke sensor output from the correction unit 117 may be transferred to the electronic keyboard instrument body. The electronic keyboard instrument main body includes a reference conversion unit 118 and a reference conversion characteristic setting unit 120, and the reference conversion characteristic setting unit 120 can change the setting of the half pedal area AH.

  In the above description, the damper pedal device of the electronic keyboard musical instrument has been described, but it is also possible to control a tone characteristic different from the damper effect. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented as an operator for controlling musical tone characteristics in general electronic musical instruments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Damper pedal (pedal), 1a ... Operation part, 1b ... Upper surface part, 1c ... Left side part, 1d ... Right side part, 1e ... Supporting point part, 1f ... Recessed part,
2 ... pedal frame, 2a ... bottom plate, 2b ... front plate, 2c ... rear plate, 2d ... front opening, 2e ... left guide plate, 2f ... right guide plate, 2g ... mounting plate, 2h ... front top plate, 2i ... Rear opening, 2j ... rear upper plate, 2k ... spring mounting portion, 2m, 2n ... mounting portion,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Lower limit stopper, 4 ... Upper limit stopper, 5 ... Coil spring (1st biasing means), 6 ... Main printed wiring board, 7 ... Side plate, 8 ... Sub printed wiring board, 9 ... Dome-shaped rubber member (2nd 10) Variable resistor (stroke sensor), 10a ... Shaft, 11 ... Actuator, 12a-12e ... Screw, 13 ... Guided member, 13a ... Left side plate, 13b ... Right side plate, 13c , 13d ... small protrusion 13e ... upper plate part, 14 ... pin mounting member, 14a ... pin, 15 ... link member, 15a ... shaft hole, 15b ... notch part,
21 ... Rubber member, 21a ... Base part, 21b ... First outer dome, 21c ... Second outer dome, 21d ... First movable part, 21e ... Driven part, 21f ... Inner dome, 21g ... Second Movable part, 21h ... hole, 21i ... leg, 21j ... groove, 22 ... first movable contact, 23 ... second movable contact, 24a, 24b ... first fixed contact pair, 25a, 25b ... second Fixed contact pair,
31 ... Rubber member, 31a ... Base part, 31b ... Outer dome, 31c ... Driven part, 31d ... Upper end part, 31d ... Inner dome, 31f ... Movable part, 31g ... Hole, 31g ... Groove, 31h ... Leg part, 32 ... Moveable contact, 33a, 33b ... Fixed contact pair

Claims (5)

A pedal that swings when the player depresses, a biasing means that displaces the pedal and applies a reaction force to the pedal, and a stroke sensor that continuously outputs a value corresponding to the pedal stroke; In the pedal device of the electronic musical instrument, the half pedal area is set in the output value of the stroke sensor, and the pedal operation output means outputs the pedal operation value according to the output value of the stroke sensor.
The urging means includes a first urging means that generates a reaction force having a first characteristic that is displaced over the entire range of the pedal stroke and increases as the displacement increases, and the urging means from the middle of the pedal stroke. A second urging means for generating a reaction force of a second characteristic in which a displacement is started by being coupled to the pedal, and the rate of change of the reaction force decreases while the displacement increases;
The second urging means has a first switch for detecting a first displacement state of the second urging means,
The pedal operation output means includes sensor output extraction means, conversion characteristic setting means, and conversion means,
The sensor output extraction means extracts the output value of the stroke sensor at a timing when the first displacement state of the second urging means is detected by the first switch as a first output value,
The conversion characteristic setting means sets and sets the half pedal area so that the first output value extracted by the sensor output extraction means becomes a value indicating a first relative position with respect to the half pedal area. Based on the half pedal area, set a conversion characteristic for converting the output value of the stroke sensor into the pedal operation value,
The conversion means converts the output value of the stroke sensor into the pedal operation value based on the conversion characteristic set by the conversion characteristic setting means, and outputs the pedal operation value.
An electronic musical instrument pedal device. The second urging means has a second switch for detecting a second displacement state of the second urging means,
The sensor output extracting means extracts, as a second output value, an output value of the stroke sensor at a timing when a second displacement state of the second urging means is detected by the second switch;
In the conversion characteristic setting unit, the first output value and the second output value extracted by the sensor output extraction unit are respectively a value indicating a first relative position with respect to the half pedal region, and a second relative position. Set the half pedal area to be a value indicating
The pedal device for an electronic musical instrument according to claim 1. The conversion characteristic setting means sets the half pedal region so that a value indicating the first relative position is a value indicating a lower limit of the half pedal region;
3. The pedal device for an electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the pedal device is an electronic musical instrument. The conversion characteristic setting means sets the half pedal region so that a value indicating the second relative position is a value indicating an upper limit of the half pedal region;
The pedal device for an electronic musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pedal device is an electronic musical instrument. The first switch detects a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the second urging unit increases most immediately or immediately after the start of the displacement of the second urging unit. Is,
The second switch detects a displacement state in which the rate of change of the reaction force of the second urging means is greatly reduced or a displacement state in the vicinity thereof while the displacement of the second urging means is increasing. To do,
The electronic musical instrument pedal device according to claim 4.

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