JP2015068969A - Dome type reaction force generation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and inexpensively manufacture a dome type reaction force generation unit having a plurality of dome parts including dome parts having different axial lines.SOLUTION: A dome type reaction force generation unit 20 which is integrally formed by an elastic material includes a plurality of thin dome parts 21w1, 21b1 elastically deformed by being pressed in axial lines Yw, Yb respectively by the operation of a white key and a black key, increases reaction force from an initial stage of the operation according to an increase of an elastic deformation amount, is subjected to buckling deformation after the reaction force reaches a peak, and reduces the reaction force. The plurality of dome parts 21w1, 21b1 are made different only by an angle θ in the directions of axial lines Yw, Yb, and a sum of the minimum gradient angles for the axial lines Yw, Yb of the plurality of dome parts 21w1, 21b1 are set equal to or more than the angle θ.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dome-type reaction force generation unit including a plurality of dome portions that respectively apply reaction forces to operations of a plurality of operation elements.

  Conventionally, a keyboard instrument such as an electronic organ or an electronic piano may be provided with a reaction force generating member including a rubber dome for applying a reaction force to a key pressing operation. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a keyboard device in which a reaction force generating member (let-off element) is provided on a key frame (shelf plate) that supports a key to be swingable upward. The reaction force generating member is elastically deformed and generates a reaction force when pressed by the key when the key is pressed. In particular, as shown in FIG. 15, the reaction force generating member increases with an increase in the key swing angle when the key is pressed, and generates a reaction force with a characteristic that rapidly decreases due to buckling deformation after reaching the peak. To do. The click feeling due to this buckling deformation provides a touch feeling similar to a key touch due to piano let-off.

No. 7-49512

  However, in the keyboard of an electronic musical instrument, in order to emphasize the simplification of the keyboard device, the fulcrum part of the key is often provided without distinguishing between the white key and the black key. When the reaction force generating member is arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction (that is, the longitudinal direction of the key) with the white key and the black key, the pressing direction accompanying the rocking of the key against the reaction force generating member is different between the white key and the black key. Moreover, in the keyboard of an electronic musical instrument, restrictions on the arrangement of each part are severe, and the structural restrictions are not the same for the white key and the black key. In some cases, the white key and the black key are arranged at different positions, and the position in the front-rear direction where the reaction force generating member is arranged is different. In these cases, although the pressing direction (the pressing direction in the space where the white key and the black key are arranged) with the key swinging with respect to the reaction force generating member is different between the white key and the black key, If the pressing directions are different, the reaction force generating member gives a reaction force having different reaction force characteristics for the white key and the black key against the white key and the black key. Therefore, by matching the pressed direction for the reaction force generating member, for example, if both the white key and black key reaction force generating members are pressed from their axial directions, the white key and the black key A reaction force having the same characteristics is generated against the pressing of the. Therefore, in order to match the reaction force characteristics given to the white key and the black key, there is a demand for different inclinations in the axial direction of the reaction force generating member between the white key and the black key.

  On the other hand, this type of reaction force generating member is manufactured by pouring and molding an elastic material into a mold. And, when manufacturing the reaction force generating member by molding, if the reaction force generating member is individually molded with the black key and the white key, it is not efficient in manufacturing, and an installation error is likely to occur during installation. Thus, it is preferable that the white key dome portion functioning as the reaction force generating member and the black key dome portion functioning as the reaction force generating member are integrally formed.

  However, when a dome-type reaction force generating unit having a plurality of dome parts including a dome part for white keys and a dome part for black keys is integrally formed, there are the following problems. The axial direction of the dome portion for the white key is different from the axial direction of the dome portion for the black key, and the dome portion is formed thin, and this thin dome cannot be forcibly removed. There is a problem that it is not easy to integrally form a dome-type reaction force generation unit including a dome portion for a black key. This problem can be solved by molding with a slide mold. However, the slide mold has a problem that the structure is complicated and the cost of the mold increases. In addition, when a slide mold is used, there is a problem that a highly accurate molded product cannot be manufactured.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a slide mold as a dome-type reaction force generation unit having a plurality of dome parts including dome parts having different axes. The object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a dome type reaction force generating unit that can be manufactured with high accuracy. In the description of each constituent element of the present invention below, the reference numerals of corresponding portions of the embodiment are shown in parentheses in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the configurations of the corresponding portions indicated by the reference numerals of the forms.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the feature of the present invention is that it is elastically deformed by being pressed in the direction of the axis (Yw, Yb) by the operation of the plural operators (11w, 11b), and from the initial stage as the amount of elastic deformation increases. It has a plurality of thin dome parts (21w1, 21b1) that increase the reaction force and then buckle and reduce the reaction force after the reaction force reaches its peak, and are formed integrally with an elastic material. In the force generation unit (20), the plurality of dome portions include first and second dome portions having different axial directions by a predetermined angle, and a minimum gradient angle (θw) with respect to the axis of the first dome portion, The sum (θw + θb) of the minimum gradient angle (θb) with respect to the axis of the dome is set to be equal to or larger than the predetermined angle.

  In this case, the 1st and 2nd dome parts are constituted symmetrically centering on an axis, for example. The minimum gradient angle with respect to the axis of the first and second dome parts is the angle formed by the intersecting line between the plane including the axis and the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second dome parts with respect to the axis. Of these, the smallest angle. Further, for example, the plurality of operators are a plurality of white keys and black keys of the keyboard instrument, the first dome portion is pressed when the white key is pressed, and the second dome portion is pressed when the black key is pressed. . In addition, the first and second dome portions gradually increase the reaction force from the beginning as the amount of elastic deformation increases, for example, and buckle deform after the reaction force reaches a peak to rapidly decrease the reaction force.

  In the dome type reaction force generating unit of the present invention configured as described above, the drawing direction of the upper die and the lower die is between the axial direction of the first dome portion and the axial direction of the second dome portion. If the direction is less than the minimum gradient angle with respect to the axial direction of the first dome portion and less than the minimum gradient angle with respect to the axial direction of the second dome portion, Undercut does not occur. Thus, a dome-type reaction force generating unit having a plurality of dome parts including the first and second dome parts having different axial directions can be manufactured by integral molding without using a slide mold. As a result, the dome type reaction force generating unit can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. Further, even when the pressing directions by the plurality of operating elements (the pressing directions in the space where the plurality of operating elements are arranged) include different first and second directions, the pressed directions for the first and second dome portions are the same. Can be made. For example, both the first and second dome portions can be pressed from their axial directions. As a result, a reaction force having the same characteristics can be applied to the pressing operation of the first and second dome portions. Further, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to use a slide mold, the dome type reaction force generating unit can be manufactured with high accuracy.

1 is a schematic side view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view of the keyboard apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a white key reaction force generation unit and a black key reaction force generation unit of the dome type reaction force generation unit of FIG. 1. (A) is sectional drawing of the reaction force generation part for white keys and the reaction force generation part for black keys before a key pressing start. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view when the white key reaction force generation portion and the black key reaction force generation portion start to buckle and deform. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method to manufacture a dome shape reaction force generation unit using a metal mold | die. The angle between the axes of the white key reaction force generator and the black key reaction force generator, the minimum gradient angle of the white key reaction force generator with respect to the dome axis, and the dome of the black key reaction force generator It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship with the minimum gradient angle with respect to the axis line. (A)-(D) are explanatory drawings for making the stroke of the front end part of a white key and a black key the same. (A)-(D) are schematic diagrams from the start of pressing the white key to the end of pressing the key, (E) is an enlarged view of the white key reaction force generation unit in (A), (F) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a white key reaction force generation unit in FIG. (A)-(D) are schematic diagrams from the start of the black key press to the end of the key press, (E) is an enlarged view of the black key reaction force generator in (A), (F) FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a black key reaction force generator in FIG. It is a schematic side view of the other keyboard apparatus which concerns on a 1st application example. It is a schematic side view of the other keyboard apparatus which concerns on a 2nd application example. It is a schematic plan view of the keyboard apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic side view of the other keyboard apparatus which concerns on a 3rd application example. It is a schematic side view of the keyboard apparatus provided with the hammer as another application example. It is a graph which shows the reaction force characteristic of the dome type reaction force generation unit with respect to a key pressing stroke.

a. Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the keyboard device according to the embodiment as viewed from the right, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the keyboard device. In the drawings of the present application, the front-rear direction of the keyboard device is the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the keyboard device is the up-down direction.

  This keyboard device includes a plurality of white keys 11w and a plurality of black keys 11b that are pressed and released by the player, and a dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 that applies a reaction force to the player's key pressing operation. I have. The white key 11w is formed in an elongated shape in the front-rear direction and is formed in a U-shaped cross section with the lower part opened, and is disposed on the flat plate upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31. The key frame 31 has flat leg portions 31b and 31c extending downward from the front and rear ends of the upper plate portion 31a, and a frame FR provided in the instrument at the lower end portions of the leg portions 31b and 31c. It is fixed on the top. On the upper surface of the rear end portion of the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31, a pair of plate-like key support portions 32 that are opposed to each other inside the white key 11w are erected and fixed. The upper part of the key support part 32 is provided with protrusions protruding outward at positions facing each other, and the protrusions enter the through holes provided at the rear end portions of both sides of the white key 11w so as to be rotatable from the inside. I am letting. Thereby, the white key 11w is supported by the key support part 32 so that rocking is possible, and the front-end part is displaced to an up-down direction. In the following description, the swing center of the white key 11w is defined as a swing axis Cw. The black key 11b is different in the shape in which the front upper surface is raised, but the other configuration is the same as the white key 11w. The black key 11b is also supported by the key support portion 32 so as to be swingable about the swing axis Cb, and the front end portion is displaced in the vertical direction by swinging. The swing axis Cb of the black key 11b and the swing axis Cw of the white key 11w are located at the same position in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

  On the upper surface of the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31, a key guide 33w is erected at a position below the front end of the white key 11w, and the key guide 33b is erected at a position below the front end of the black key 11b. Has been established. The key guides 33w and 33b are slidably inserted into the white key 11w and the black key 11b, respectively, and the white key 11w and the black key 11b are not displaced in the left-right direction when they are swung in the up-down direction. ing.

  As will be described in detail later, the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 is integrally formed of elastic rubber using a mold, and includes a plurality of white key reaction force generating portions 21w and a plurality of black key reaction forces. And a generator 21b. The white key reaction force generator 21w is provided corresponding to each of the white keys 11w, and applies a reaction force to the key pressing operation of the white key 11w. The black key reaction force generator 21b is provided corresponding to each of the black keys 11b and applies a reaction force to the key pressing operation of the black key 11b. The dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 has a key frame such that the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are located below the center of the white key 11w and the black key 11b in the front-rear direction. 31 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper plate portion 31a. In this case, the position of the white key reaction force generator 21w in the front-rear direction and the position of the black key reaction force generator 21b in the front-rear direction are the same, and the white key reaction force generator 21w and the black key reaction force are the same. The generators 21b are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction of the keyboard.

  Here, the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b of the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b include a dome portion 21w1, 21b1, a top portion 21w2, 21b2, and a base portion 21w3, respectively. , 21b3 and a pair of leg portions 21w4, 21b4. The dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 are formed in a thin dome shape (a bowl shape) that is easily deformed by pressing from above, and are formed thin. When compressed by pressing from above, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 are shown in FIG. Buckled and deformed. As a result, the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b are elastically deformed due to an increase in pressing force from above and gradually increase the reaction force, and the reaction force reaches a peak. Later, the reaction force is rapidly reduced by buckling deformation (see FIG. 15).

  The top portions 21w2 and 21b2 are formed in a cylindrical shape whose upper surface is released, and are connected to the upper surfaces of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 on the lower surface. Further, the top portions 21w2 and 21b2 are set to a uniform height over the entire circumference, and the upper surface thereof is a flat surface. A part in the circumferential direction at the upper part of the top parts 21w2 and 21b2 is provided with an air escape notch for communicating the inside and the outside of the top parts 21w2 and 21b2. The base portions 21w3 and 21b3 protrude outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 in an annular shape (flange shape), and are formed to be thick over the entire circumference. Although the upper and lower surfaces of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 are also flat, the height of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 is set so that the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b are inclined when installed. Are continuously different over the entire circumference. The top portions 21w2 and 21b2 and the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 are hardly deformed even when pressed from above. The pair of leg portions 21w4 and 21b4 project in a columnar shape downward from the lower surfaces of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 in order to be fixed to the support portion 31d provided on the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31. In this case, the support portion 31d is horizontal. Note that the leg portions 21w4 and 21b4 may be eliminated, and the lower surfaces of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 may be fixed on the upper plate portion 31a (support portion 31d) of the key frame 31 with an adhesive or the like.

  The upper portions of the dome portions 21w1, 21b1, the top portions 21w2, 21b2, and the base portions 21w3, 21b3 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b configured in this way are on the axis lines Yw, Yb. On the other hand, it is point-symmetric. In other words, the axis lines Yw and Yb are the central axis lines of the main body portions 21w1 and 21b1 and the top portions 21w2 and 21b2. The axis lines Yw and Yb are action lines of force that passes through the starting point of the reaction force vector and extends in the vector direction. Further, the normal lines of the top surfaces of the top portions 21w2 and 21b2 and the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 are parallel to the axis lines Yw and Yb, respectively. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the height of the base portion 21w3 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w is higher than the height of the base portion 21b3 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b, and the white key reaction force generating portion. The length in the direction of the axis Yw of the dome portion 21w1 of 21w is shorter than the length in the direction of the axis Yb of the dome portion 21b1 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. The height of the top portion 21w2 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w is the same as the height of the top portion 21b2 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. The overall height is substantially the same as the overall height of the black key reaction force generator 21b. In the installed state, the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b is slightly inclined to the horizontal side with respect to the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w. The angle between the two axis lines Yb and Yw is θ.

  The white key 11w and the black key 11b are under the white key 11b, and the white key reaction force generating unit 21w and the black key reaction force generating unit 21b are opposed to the top surfaces 21w2 and 21b2. Pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 for pressing the reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b from above are provided. The pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 are formed in a flat plate shape, and the lower surface thereof is a flat surface and is inclined so as to be lower on the front side and higher on the rear side than the lower surfaces of the white key 11w and the black key 11b. . As will be described in detail later, the inclinations of the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 are formed on the lower surfaces of the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 at the peak of the reaction forces of the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force generation portion 21b. The normal lines (straight lines perpendicular to the lower surface) are set to be parallel to the axis lines Yw and Yb of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the black key reaction force generator 21b, respectively. Further, at the peak of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b, the reaction force direction coincides with the directions of the axes Yw and Yb of the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b. Therefore, at the peak of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b, the reaction force direction is different between the white key 21w and the black key 21b, and the pressing direction of the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b at the peak of the reaction force. It can also be understood that this corresponds to the reaction force direction of the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b. In this case, the inclination of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b with respect to the horizontal (the lower surface of the black key 11b) is slightly more than the inclination of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w with respect to the horizontal (the lower surface of the white key 11w). large. If the normal lines of the lower surface including the pressing points of the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 are set to be parallel to the axis lines Yw and Yb at the peak of the reaction force, the lower surfaces of these pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 May be not spherical but spherical. Further, the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 may be configured by cross-shaped or H-shaped ribs or the like protruding downward from the inner upper surfaces of the white key 11w and the black key 11b.

  The keyboard device also includes white keys incorporated between the white key 11w and the black key 11b and the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31 at an intermediate position between the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 and the key support portion 32. An 11w spring 34w and a black key 11b spring 34b are provided. The springs 34w and 34b urge the white key 11w and the black key 11b upward with respect to the upper plate portion 31a. The springs 34w and 34b may be springs such as leaf springs as long as the white key 11w and the black key 11b can be urged upward without being coiled.

  The white key 11w includes an extending portion 11w2 extending downward from the front end portion thereof, and an engaging portion 11w3 protruding forward is provided at the lower end of the extending portion 11w2, and the engaging portion 11w3 is a key frame. Through the through hole provided in the upper plate portion 31a of 31, the lower part of the upper plate portion 31a is entered from above. Further, an upper limit stopper member 35 w is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the upper plate portion 31 a of the key frame 31. The upper limit stopper member 35w is composed of a cushioning member such as a felt, and restricts the upward displacement of the front end portion of the white key 11w by contacting the engaging portion 11w3 of the white key 11w. A lower limit stopper member 36 w is provided on the upper surface of the front end portion of the upper plate portion 31 a of the key frame 31. The lower limit stopper member 36w is also composed of a cushioning member such as felt, and restricts the downward displacement of the front end portion of the white key 11w by contacting the lower surface of the front end portion of the white key 11w.

  The black key 11b includes an extending portion 11b2 extending downward from the front end portion thereof, and an engaging portion 11b3 protruding rearward is provided at the lower end of the extending portion 11b2, and the engaging portion 11b3 is a key frame. Through the through hole provided in the upper plate portion 31a of 31, the lower part of the upper plate portion 31a is entered from above. An upper limit stopper member 35 b is provided on the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the upper plate portion 31 a of the key frame 31. The upper limit stopper member 35b is also composed of a cushioning member such as a felt, and restricts the upward displacement of the front end portion of the black key 11b by contact with the engaging portion 11b3 of the black key 11b. A lower limit stopper member 36b is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31. The lower limit stopper member 36b is also composed of a cushioning member such as a felt, and restricts the downward displacement of the front end portion of the black key 11b by contacting the lower surface of the front end portion of the black key 11b.

  An electric circuit board 37 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31a of the key frame 31 and slightly behind the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 so as to be parallel to the upper plate portion 31a. On the upper surface of the electric circuit board 37, dome-shaped key switches 38w and 38b for the white key 11w and the black key 11b are fixed, respectively. The key switches 38w and 38b change from the off state to the on state by pressing the protruding portions protruding from the lower surfaces of the white key 11w and the black key 11b when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, A key pressing operation of the black key 11b is detected. The detection of the key release operation by the key switches 38w and 38b is used for the generation control of the musical tone signal.

  Next, the manufacture and shape of the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 pours rubber, which is a liquid elastic material, into the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d, and the upper mold 25u and the lower mold in a state where the rubber is solidified. It is manufactured by removing the mold 25d and taking it out. In FIG. 5, the white key reaction force generation unit 21 w of the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 is shown. In this case, as described above, the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b are not parallel, and the angle between the axes Yw and Yb is θ. Therefore, the extraction direction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d is not the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating unit 21w, but the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating unit 21w as shown by the arrows in the drawing. In contrast, the black key reaction force generator 21b is slightly tilted in the direction of the axis Yb.

  Regarding the extraction direction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d, the following points must be considered. The dome portion 21w1 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w is formed thin to allow elastic deformation (particularly buckling deformation). Therefore, regarding the portions P1 and P2 in FIG. 5, the dome portion 21w1 is damaged at the time of extraction unless the extraction direction is set to be equal to or smaller than the minimum gradient angle θw with respect to the axis Yw of the dome portion 21w1. That is, if the upper die 25u and the lower die 25d are forcibly removed, the dome portion 21w1 is damaged and the function of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w cannot be performed. In this case, the minimum gradient angle θw is the smallest angle among the angles formed with respect to the axis Yw by the intersecting line where the plane including the axis Yw intersects the inner surface and the outer surface of the dome portion 21w1. 5, the top part 21w2, the base part 21w3, and the leg part 21w4 of the white key reaction force generating part 21w are thick, so that even if they are forcibly removed, they are not damaged. I do not receive it. The same applies to the black key reaction force generating portion 21b, and it is necessary to set the extraction direction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d to be equal to or smaller than the minimum gradient angle θb with respect to the axis Yb of the dome portion 21b1. The minimum gradient angle θb in this case is also the minimum angle among the angles formed with respect to the axis Yb by the intersecting line where the plane including the axis Yb intersects the inner surface and the outer surface of the dome portion 21b1. However, the inclination of the extraction direction with respect to the axis Yb is opposite to that of the white key reaction force generator 21w. Further, the portions corresponding to the portions P1 to P6 in the black key reaction force generating portion 21b are opposite to the white key reaction force generating portion 21w in the left-right direction with respect to the axis Yb.

  In consideration of such extraction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d, the minimum gradient angle θw of the white key reaction force generating part 21w with respect to the axis Yw of the dome part 21w1 and the black key reaction force generating part 21b The relationship between the minimum gradient angle θb with respect to the axis Yb of the dome portion 21b1 and the angle θ between the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for this purpose, and the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are arranged side by side on the left and right sides and indicated by solid lines. Actually, the black key reaction force generator 21b is positioned as indicated by a broken line, but at various angles described below, the white key reaction force generator 21w and the black key reaction force generator 21b are moved to the left and right. Therefore, the black key reaction force generator 21b indicated by the solid line is used in the following description. In FIG. 6, the angles θ, θw, and θb are exaggerated.

  The extraction direction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d is represented by a straight line K, and the direction of the minimum gradient of the dome portion 21w1 with respect to the axis Yw in the white key reaction force generation unit 21w is represented by a straight line Zw. The direction of the minimum gradient of the dome portion 21b1 with respect to the axis Yw in the portion 21b is represented by a straight line Zb. In this case, the straight lines K, Zw, and Zb are parallel to each other. In FIG. 6, the straight lines Zw and Zb are shown along the inner surfaces of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1, but the same applies to the outer surfaces of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1. Therefore, in this state, if the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d are extracted in the direction of the straight line K, the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 is mounted on the upper mold without damaging the thin dome portions 21w1, 21b1. 25u and the lower mold 25d can be integrally formed.

  In FIG. 6, the sum θw + θb of the minimum gradient angles θw and θb is equal to the angle θ formed by the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b. Is set to As a result, the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 whose angle between the axes Yw and Yb is θ is formed. FIG. 6 shows a state where the sum θw + θb is minimum, that is, when the angle between the axes Yw and Yb is θ, the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 is connected to the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d. Shows an example in which the sum θw + θb of the minimum gradient angles θw and θb that can be integrally formed is the smallest. Even if the straight lines Zw and Zb are designed as shown by the arrows in the drawing, that is, the minimum gradient angles θw and θb of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 are designed to be larger than the axes Yw and Yb, the upper mold 25u The dome type reaction force generating unit 20 can be integrally formed using the lower mold 25d. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sum θw + θb of the minimum gradient angles θw and θb is set to the axis Yw so that the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 can be integrally formed using the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d. , Yb is set to an angle θ or more.

  Next, the operation of the keyboard device according to the embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the performer starts to press the white key 11w and the black key 11b, the white key 11w and the black key 11b start swinging around the swing axes Cw and Cb against the reaction force of the springs 34w and 34b, The front ends of the white key 11w and the black key 11b are displaced downward to disengage the engaging portions 11w3 and 11b3 from the upper limit stopper members 35w and 35b, and then the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1 are the tops of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w. It abuts on the rear end of the upper surface of the top portion 21b2 of the portion 21w2 and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. When the white key 11w and the black key 11b are further pressed, the front end portions of the white key 11w and the black key 11b are displaced downward, and the dome of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w is pressed by the pressing portions 11w1 and 11b1. The dome portion 21b1 of the portion 21w1 and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b starts to be elastically deformed. As a result, the performer starts to feel the gradually increasing reaction forces of the dome portion 21w1 and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w in addition to the reaction force by the springs 34w and 34b ( FIG. 15).

  When the white key 11w and the black key 11b are further pressed, the reaction force of the white key reaction force generating part 21w and the black key reaction force generating part 21b reaches a peak, and then the dome parts 21w1, 21b1 are buckled. Start to transform. Thereby, the performer feels a clear click feeling. Note that the key switches 38w and 38b change from the off state to the on state by being slightly delayed from the buckling and by pressing the protruding portions protruding from the lower surfaces of the white key 11w and the black key 11b. In response to the change of the key switches 38w and 38b to the on state, a tone signal generation circuit (not shown) starts to generate tone signals.

  Further, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, the lower surfaces of the front ends of the white key 11w and the black key 11b come into contact with the lower limit stopper members 36w and 36b, and the swinging of the white key 11w and the black key 11b is finished. In this state, the elastic deformation of the dome portion 21w1 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the dome portion 21b1 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b is also finished. When the white key 11w and the black key 11b are released, the white key 11w and the black key 11b are generated by the reaction force of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w, the black key reaction force generation unit 21b, and the springs 34w and 34b. The front end of is displaced upward. In the process in which the front ends of the white key 11w and the black key 11b are displaced upward, the key switches 38w and 38b change from the on state to the off state, and the tone signal generation circuit (not shown) stops generating the tone signal. To control. Further, when the front end portions of the white key 11w and the black key 11b are displaced upward, the engaging portions 11w3 and 11b3 come into contact with the upper limit stopper members 35w and 35b, and the white key 11w and the black key 11b return to the key release state.

  Further, while explaining the operation of the keyboard device, the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b are not parallel, and the angle between the axes Yw and Yb. The reason why becomes θ will be described in detail. FIG. 7A shows the white key 11w and the black key 11b in a released state in which the white key 11w and the black key 11b are restricted from being displaced upward by the upper limit stopper members 35w and 35b. The white key 11w and the black key 11b in a key pressing end state (hereinafter referred to as a full stroke state) in which the downward displacement of the 11w and black key 11b is restricted by the lower limit stopper members 36w and 36b are indicated by broken lines. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the white key 11w is released (initial state) and the key 11w1 is in contact with the top portion 21w2 of the white key reaction force generator 21w (hereinafter referred to as top contact). State), a state in which the reaction force of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w reaches a peak (hereinafter referred to as a peak load generation state), and a full stroke state in which the key depression is finally completed. FIG. 7C shows the black key 11b in a key release state (initial state), a top contact state, a peak load generation state, and a full stroke state. FIG. 7D shows the white key 11w and the black key 11b in a peak load generation state.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D show the white key 11w in the key release state, the top contact state, the peak load generation state, and the full stroke state, respectively. FIG. 8E is an enlarged view of the white key reaction force generator 21w of FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8F is an enlarged view of the white key reaction force generator 21w of FIG. 8C. is there. FIGS. 9A to 9D show the black key 11b in the key release state, the top contact state, the peak load generation state, and the full stroke state, respectively. FIG. 9E is an enlarged view of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9F is an enlarged view of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b of FIG. 9C. is there. In FIG. 9E, in order to compare the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b with the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w, the white key reaction force generator 21w is indicated by a broken line. The angle θ is an angle formed by both axis lines Yb and Yw.

  In this keyboard apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7A, the height of the front end of the white key 11w (the height of the front end of the upper surface) and the height of the front end of the black key 11b (the lowest point of the front end inclined portion). The height is set to be the same in the key release state and the full stroke state. In other words, the white key 11w and the black key 11b have the same full stroke amount when the key is pressed. However, since the length of the black key 11b in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the white key 11w in the front-rear direction, the operating angle of the black key 11b is larger than the operating angle of the white key 11w. The rocking shaft Cw of the white key 11w and the rocking shaft Cb of the black key 11b are at the same position, and the position of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b in the front-rear direction and the position of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the vertical movement amount of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b is larger than the vertical movement amount of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w. Therefore, as described above, the height of the base portion 21b3 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b is made lower than the height of the base portion 21w3 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w, and the black key reaction force generating portion. The length in the direction of the axis Yw of the dome portion 21b1 of the 21b is made longer than the length of the dome portion 21w1 in the direction of the axis Yb of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w, thereby changing the deformation amount of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. It is larger than the deformation amount of the white key reaction force generating part 21w.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, in the top contact state and the peak load generation state, the height of the front end of the white key 11w (the height of the front end of the upper surface) and the black key 11b The height of the front end (the height of the lowest point of the front end inclined portion) is substantially the same. As described above, since the vertical movement amount of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b is larger than the vertical movement amount of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w, the pressing portion of the black key 11b in the key release state. 11b1 is set at a position higher than the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w. In the key release state, the black key 11b and the white key 11w have the front end inclined slightly higher than the rear end with respect to the horizontal.

  Thus, in the peak load generation state, as described above, the height of the front end of the white key 11w and the height of the front end of the black key 11b are substantially the same, and therefore, as shown in FIG. The rotation angle of the key 11b is larger than the rotation angle of the white key 11w, and the rotation direction of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b is slightly larger in the horizontal direction than the rotation direction of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w. That is, the pressing direction of the black key 11b against the black key reaction force generating portion 21b of the pressing portion 11b1 is an angle φ more horizontally than the pressing direction of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w against the white key reaction force generating portion 21w. Tilt. This angle φ is an angle formed by the illustrated straight lines Lb and Lw. The straight line Lb is a straight line in a plane orthogonal to the rocking axis Cb of the black key 11b, and the pressing point of the black key reaction force generator 21b pressed by the black key 11b in the peak load generation state and the black key 11b is a straight line passing through the swing axis Cb of 11b. The straight line Lw is a straight line in a plane orthogonal to the rocking axis Cw of the white key 11w, and the pressing point of the white key reaction force generator 21w pressed by the pressing of the white key 11w in the peak load generation state. And the swing axis Cw of the white key 11w.

  On the other hand, as described above, the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b is slightly inclined to the horizontal side with respect to the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w, and is between the axis lines Yb and Yw. The angle is θ (see FIG. 9E). In this embodiment, the angle θ between the two axis lines Yb and Yw is set equal to the angle φ between the straight lines Lb and Lw. Accordingly, the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are pressed in the directions of the axes Yw and Yb by the swinging of the white key 11w and the black key 11b in the peak load generation state. Further, in order to ensure that the entire top surface of the top portion 21w2 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w is pressed with an equal force, the normal line of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w ( The inclination angle of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11w1 is set so that the vertical line to the lower surface is parallel to the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w. In addition, in order to ensure that the entire top surface of the top portion 21b2 of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b is pressed with an equal force, the normal line of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b ( The inclination angle of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11b1 is set so that the vertical line to the lower surface is parallel to the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. The inclination angle of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w is slightly different from the inclination angle of the lower surface of the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b.

  Thereby, in this top load generation state, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force generation portion 21b are as shown in FIGS. 8 (F) and 9 (F). , Are uniformly deformed around the axes Yw and Yb. That is, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force generation portion 21b are in a state of being deformed in parallel in the vertical direction on the entire circumference of the axis lines Yw and Yb.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the directions of the axes Yw and Yb of the plurality of white key reaction force generation units 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are different between the white key 11w and the black key 11b. Thus, the plurality of white key reaction force generating portions 21w and the black key reaction forces 21w and the black key reaction force generating portions 21b and the black key reaction force generating portions 21b approach the axial direction of the reaction force. A key reaction force generator 21b is arranged. In particular, an angle θ formed by the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generation unit is represented by a straight line Lw, which represents the pressing direction of the white key 11w and the black key 11b. It was set equal to the angle φ formed by Lb. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, the reaction force immediately before buckling of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b made of a rubber dome is reduced. At the peak time, the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b corresponding to the white key 11w and the black key 11b are both pressed almost from the axial direction, and the white key 11w is pressed. Even when the black key 11b is pressed, a good key touch feeling with almost the same click feeling can be obtained.

  As described above, when the reaction force generation members 21w and 21b are in a peak load generation state, the reaction force generation directions of the reaction force generation members 21w and 21b coincide with the axes Yw and Yb. Therefore, the feature can be grasped as follows from another viewpoint. That is, in the peak load generation state of the reaction force generation members 21w and 21b, the reaction force direction is different between the white key 21w and the black key 21b, and the pressing direction of the reaction force generation members 21w and 21b in the peak load generation state is It is made to correspond to the reaction force generation direction of the reaction force generation members 21w and 21b. Thereby, even when the white key 11w is pressed and when the black key 11b is pressed, a good key touch feeling with almost the same click feeling can be obtained.

  In the dome type reaction force generation unit 20, the minimum gradient angle θw of the dome portion 21w1 of the white key reaction force generation portion 21w (that is, the inner surface and the outer surface of the dome portion 21w1) and the black key reaction force generation portion The sum θw + θb of the dome portion 21b1 of 21b (that is, the inner surface and the outer surface of the dome portion 21b1) and the minimum gradient angle θb is the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b. It is set to an angle θ or more with respect to the axis Yb. Therefore, the pulling direction of the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d is between the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generating part 21w and the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generating part 21b, A direction that is less than or equal to the minimum gradient angle θw with respect to the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w and less than or equal to the minimum gradient angle θb with respect to the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b Then, undercut does not occur in the dome portions 21w1 and 21b. Therefore, even if a slide mold is not used, the white key reaction force generating part 21b and the black key reaction force generating part 21b are different in the axial direction with a simple mold (upper mold 25u and lower mold 25d). The dome type reaction force generation unit 20 having the plurality of reaction force generation portions 21w and 21b can be manufactured by integral molding. Thereby, the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

b. Application Examples to Other Keyboard Devices Next, application examples to other keyboard devices of the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 according to the above embodiment will be described.

  First, a first application example will be described with reference to FIG. In the first application example, the rocking shaft Cb of the black key 11b is positioned above the rocking shaft Cw of the white key 11w. The position in the front-rear direction of the swing axis Cb of the black key 11b and the swing axis Cw of the white key 11w are the same. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Also in the first application example, the straight lines Lw and Lb described above for the white key 11w and the black key 11b, and the axis lines Yw and Yb of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are illustrated. And the angles θ and φ described above are also defined as shown in the figure.

  Next, a second application example will be described with reference to FIG. In the second application example, the black key reaction force generation unit 21b is positioned behind the white key reaction force generation unit 21w. The pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b is positioned to face the black key reaction force generating portion 21b, and the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w is also positioned to face the white key reaction force generating portion 21w. . Note that the position of the rocking axis Cb of the black key 11b and the rocking axis Cw of the white key 11w are the same in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Also in this second application example, the straight lines Lw and Lb described above for the white key 11w and the black key 11b, the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w, and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are The angles θ and φ described above are also defined as shown in the figure. In the second application example, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of white key reaction force generation units 21w and black key reaction force generation units 21b are arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction, and are dome-shaped. The reaction force generation unit 20 has a wider width in the front-rear direction than in the above embodiment.

  Next, a third application example will be described with reference to FIG. In the third application example, the rocking shaft Cb of the black key 11b is positioned in front of the rocking shaft Cw of the white key 11w. The vertical position of the swing axis Cb of the black key 11b and the swing axis Cw of the white key 11w are the same. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Also in the third application example, the straight lines Lw and Lb described above for the white key 11w and the black key 11b, and the axis lines Yw and Yb of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are illustrated. And the angles θ and φ described above are also defined as shown in the figure.

  In the third application example, the rocking shaft Cw of the white key 11w may be positioned in front of the rocking shaft Cb of the black key 11b. Further, the vertical position of the rocking shaft Cb of the black key 11b and the rocking shaft Cw of the white key 11w are made different, or the black key reaction force generating unit 21b and the white key reaction force generating unit 21w are moved in the front-rear direction. You may make it change a position.

  Also in the first to third application examples configured as described above, the rotation directions of the pressing portion 11w1 of the white key 11w and the pressing portion 11b1 of the black key 11b in the peak load generation state are different, and the white key reaction in the peak load generation state is different. The pressing directions of the force generator 21w and the black key reaction force generator 21b are different. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generator 21w is different from the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generator 21b. A dome type reaction force generation unit 20 in which a plurality of white key reaction force generation portions 21 w and black key reaction force generation portions 21 b are integrally formed is fixed to the upper plate portion 31 a of the key frame 31. Then, the angle θ formed by the axes Yw and Yb is set equal to the angle φ formed by the straight lines Lw and Lb described above. As a result, even in the first to third application examples, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, the reaction immediately before buckling of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b is performed. At the time of the peak of force, both the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b corresponding to the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed almost from the axial direction. Whether the key is pressed or the black key 11b is pressed, a good key touch feeling with the same click feeling can be obtained.

  Then, the directions of the axes Yw and Yb as in the first to third application examples are changed, and a dome-shaped reaction including a plurality of white key reaction force generation units 21w and black key reaction force generation units 21b. Also in the force generation unit 20, as described in the above embodiment, the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 is integrated with a simple mold (upper mold 25u and lower mold 25d) without using a slide mold. It can be manufactured by molding. That is, also in the first to third application examples, the sum θw + θb of the minimum gradient angles θw and θb of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b is expressed as white By setting the angle θ between the axis Yw of the key reaction force generating portion 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b or more, a simple mold can be used without using a slide mold. The dome type reaction force generating unit 20 can be manufactured by integral molding with the upper mold 25u and the lower mold 25d.

c. Example of application to a keyboard device having an oscillating body other than the key Next, an oscillating body that oscillates in conjunction with the oscillation of the white key 11w and the black key 11b is used for the white key reaction force generator 21w and the black key. An example of application to a keyboard device that presses the reaction force generator 21b will be described. FIG. 14 shows a keyboard device according to the third embodiment. This keyboard device includes hammers 41w and 41b as the rocking bodies corresponding to the white key 11w and the black key 11b.

  The hammers 41w and 41b are swingably supported by hammer support members 42 corresponding to the white key 11w and the black key 11b, respectively. The hammer support member 42 extends downward from the lower surface of the upper plate portion 31a at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the white key 11w and the black key 11b. The hammers 41w and 41b include base portions 41w1 and 41b1, connecting rods 41w2 and 41b2, and mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3, respectively. The base portions 41w1 and 41b1 are supported by the hammer support member 42 so as to be swingable around the swing axes Cw1 and Cb1 at their intermediate portions, and swing the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 in the vertical direction. The front portions of the base portions 41w1 and 41b1 are provided with leg portions that are divided into two forks. Between the leg portions, extended portions 43w and 43b that extend vertically from the lower surfaces of the white key 11w and the black key 11b, respectively. The drive shafts 43w1 and 43b1 provided in are slidably penetrated. The extending portions 43w and 43b penetrate the through holes provided in the upper plate portion 31a so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction. Thereby, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, the front ends of the base portions 41w1 and 41b1 are displaced downward. The connecting rods 41w2 and 41b2 extend in the front-rear direction and connect the bases 41w1 and 41b1 and the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3. The mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 urge the front end sides of the hammers 41w and 41b upward due to their weights.

  Below the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3, an upper limit stopper member 44 that restricts the downward movement of the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 is fixed to the frame FR. The upper limit stopper member 44 is also composed of a buffer member such as felt. Thus, in the key release state, the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 are positioned on the upper limit stopper member 44, and the upward displacement of the front end portions of the white key 11w and the black key 11b is restricted. Therefore, in this adaptation example, the upper limit stopper members 35w and 35b and the extending portions 11w2 and 11b2 of the above embodiment do not exist.

  The dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 is fixed to the lower surfaces of the support portions 31fw and 31fb provided on the upper plate portion 31a at positions facing the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3. The upper surfaces of the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 constitute flat pressing portions 41w4 and 41b4, and the pressing portions 41w4 and 41b4 have a white key reaction force generating portion 21w and a black key reaction force generating portion 21b in a released state. It faces the lower surface of the top portions 21w2 and 21b2 (corresponding to the upper surface of the above embodiment). When the key is pressed, the pressing portions 41w4 and 41b4 are displaced upward and come into contact with the lower surfaces of the top portions 21w2 and 21b2 to press the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b, respectively. . Also in this case, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b are elastically deformed by the pressing, and are buckled and deformed after the reaction force reaches a peak. Further, since the hammers 41w and 41b apply a reaction force to the key pressing operation of the white key 11w and the black key 11b, the springs 34w and 34b of the first embodiment may exist, but this application example Is omitted. Since other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the application example configured as described above, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed, the drive shafts 43w1 and 43b1 of the extending portions 43w and 43b are displaced downward, and the hammers 41w and 41b are driven by the peristaltic shaft Cw1, It swings counterclockwise around Cb1. Then, the pressing portions 41w4 and 41b4 of the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 of the hammers 41w and 41b press the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force generation portion 21b, and the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force generation portion 21w. The dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the key reaction force generating portion 21b are buckled after being elastically deformed. Further, when the key is pushed, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 are further elastically deformed, and the white key 11w and the black key 11b are pressed by the lower end stopper members 36w and 36b on the lower surfaces of the front ends. . At the time of this key pressing, the hammer 41w, 41b, and the white key reaction force generating unit 21w and the black key reaction force generating unit 21b give the player a reaction force against the key pressing.

  On the other hand, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are released, the hammers 41w and 41b swing clockwise due to the weight of the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3, and the front ends of the white key 11w and the black key 11b are displaced upward. To do. When the lower surfaces of the mass bodies 41w3 and 41b3 come into contact with the upper limit stopper member 44, the swinging of the white key 11w and the black key 11b stops, and the white key 11w and the black key 11b return to the original key release state. .

  Also in the keyboard device configured and operated in this manner, the direction of the axis Yw of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w is different from the direction of the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generation unit 21b. , Yb is set equal to the angle φ formed by the straight lines Lw, Lb similar to the case of the above embodiment. The straight line Lw in this case is a straight line in a plane orthogonal to the swing axis Cw1 of the hammer 41w for the white key 11w, and is for the white key pressed by the swing of the hammer 41w in the peak load generation state. It is a straight line passing through the pressing point of the reaction force generating portion 21w and the swing axis Cw1 of the hammer 41w. The straight line Lb is a straight line in a plane perpendicular to the swing axis Cb1 of the hammer 41b for the black key 11b, and generates a black key reaction force that is pressed by the swing of the hammer 41b in the peak load generation state. It is a straight line passing through the pressing point of the portion 21b and the swing axis Cb1 of the hammer 41b. Thereby, also in this case, when the white key 11w and the black key 11b are depressed, the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b are immediately before buckling of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1. At the peak of the reaction force, both the hammers 41w and 41b are pressed from the direction of the axes Yw and Yb, and the same is true whether the white key 11w is pressed or the black key 11b is pressed. It is possible to obtain a good key touch feeling with a click feeling.

  In the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 provided with a plurality of white key reaction force generation units 21 w and black key reaction force generation units 21 b with different directions of the axes Yw and Yb as in this application example. In addition, as described in the above embodiment, the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 can be manufactured by a single mold (upper mold 25u and lower mold 25d) by integral molding without using a slide mold. That is, also in this application example, the sum θw + θb of the minimum gradient angles θw and θb of the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b is determined as the white key reaction force generation. If the angle θ between the axis Yw of the portion 21w and the axis Yb of the black key reaction force generating portion 21b is set to be equal to or larger than a simple die (upper die 25u) without using a slide die. And the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 can be manufactured by integral molding with the lower mold 25d).

  Also in this application example, instead of the case of the white key 11w and the black key 11b in the case of the first to third application examples, the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the swing shafts Cw1, Cb1 of the hammers 41w, 41b Alternatively, the positions of the white key reaction force generator 21w and the black key reaction force generator 21b in the front-rear direction may be different between the white key 11w and the black key 11b.

d. Other Modifications and Application Examples In the embodiment and the first to third application examples, the heights of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b, That is, the lengths of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 in the directions of the axes Yw and Yb are made different over the entire circumference so that the white key reaction force generation portion 21w and the black key reaction force in the assembled state of the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 are obtained. The axis lines Yw and Yb of the force generator 21b are inclined with respect to the vertical. However, instead of this, the heights of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 of the white key reaction force generating portion 21w and the black key reaction force generating portion 21b, that is, the directions of the axes Yw and Yb of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3. The axes Yw and Yb of the white key reaction force generation unit 21b and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b in the assembled state of the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 are perpendicular to each other. Each may be tilted. In this case, the support portion 31d for assembling the dome type reaction force generation unit 20 may be appropriately inclined. In the keyboard device according to the application example provided with the hammers 41w and 41b, the heights of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b, that is, the bases are also described. Assembling state of the dome-type reaction force generation unit 20 by making the lengths of the axial portions Yw and Yb of the base portions 21w3 and 21b3 different over the entire circumference, making them the same, or making the support portions 31fw and 31fb horizontal The axis lines Yw and Yb of the white key reaction force generation unit 21w and the black key reaction force generation unit 21b in FIG.

  Further, the rocking fulcrum of the white key 11w and the black key 11b is not limited to the rocking center as described in the above embodiment and the first to third application examples, but the white key 11w and the black key 11b A hinge type in which a plate-like thin portion is provided at the rear end of the key 11b and the white key 11w and the black key 11b are swung by elastic deformation of the thin portion by supporting the rear end of the thin portion on a support member. The swing fulcrum may be used. However, in this case, the above-described peristaltic axes Cw and Cb change slightly with the perturbation of the white key 11 and the black key 11b, that is, the positions of the peristaltic axes Cw and Cb vary with time.

  In the embodiment, various application examples, and modifications, the reaction force generating members 21w and 21b are provided independently of the key switches 38w and 38b. However, instead of this, the key switches 38w, 38b may be configured in the same manner as the reaction force generating members 21w, 21b, and the key switches 38w, 38b may be used as the reaction force generating members. In this case, the dome portions 21w1 and 21b1 have a two-stage configuration including an inner portion and an outer portion, and a cylindrical switch portion with a small amount of deformation is provided between the inner portion and the outer portion. Then, a reaction force that increases against the key press is generated by the deformation of the outer portion, and the contact provided on the substrate is opened and closed by the switch portion, and the reaction force against the key press accompanied by buckling deformation by the deformation of the inner portion. Should be generated.

  Furthermore, the dome-type reaction force generating unit 20 according to the present invention is also applied to operators other than the white key 11w and the black key 11b of the keyboard device. That is, a plurality of dome parts with different axial directions are also applied to a plurality of operating elements operated by hands, feet, etc., when the pressing directions to the dome-type reaction force generating parts by the plurality of operating elements are different. A dome-type reaction force generating unit according to the present invention is applied.

FR ... Frame, 11w ... White key, 11b ... Black key, 20 ... Dome type reaction force generation unit, 21w ... White key reaction force generation unit, 21b ... Black key reaction force generation unit, 21w1, 21b1 ... Dome portion 21w2, 21b2 ... Top part, 21w3, 21b3 ... Base part, 25u ... Upper mold, 25d ... Lower mold, 31 ... Key frame, 32 ... Key support part, 34w, 34b ... Spring, 41w, 41b ... Hammer

Claims (2)

It is elastically deformed by being pressed in the axial direction by the operation of multiple operation elements, and the reaction force is increased from the beginning as the amount of elastic deformation increases, and after the reaction force reaches its peak, it buckles and decreases the reaction force. In the dome type reaction force generation unit which has a plurality of dome parts formed thinly and is integrally molded with an elastic material,
The plurality of dome portions include first and second dome portions having different axial directions by a predetermined angle,
A dome-type reaction force generating unit, wherein a sum of a minimum gradient angle with respect to the axis of the first dome portion and a minimum gradient angle with respect to the axis of the second dome portion is set to be equal to or greater than the predetermined angle. The plurality of operators are a plurality of white keys and black keys of a keyboard instrument,
2. The dome-type reaction force generating unit according to claim 1, wherein the first dome portion is pressed when the white key is pressed, and the second dome portion is pressed when the black key is pressed.

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