JP3379135B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device having a large number of keys swingably supported by a key support member, and more particularly to a key device having a key guide portion on the key support member side. , A keyboard device provided with its guided portion on the key side. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a keyboard device of this kind, for example, a keyboard device as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-7425 is known. This includes providing a key guide portion having a U-shaped slit on the key support member side, and providing a guided portion that slides in the slit of the key guide portion on one side wall on the key side. A number of grooves for grease pool are formed on the sliding contact surface between the key guide portion and the guided portion, each of the grooves being substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the key. [0003] However, in such a conventional keyboard device, when the number of times the key is pressed increases, grease stored in the grooves of the key guide portion and the guided portion is reduced. There is a problem in that the sliding motion of the key causes it to be scraped off and accumulated in a portion other than the sliding surface, resulting in a lack of smoothness in key movement and a sliding noise. Further, since only one of the side walls of the key is guided, the key is easily tilted in the width direction when the key is pressed or released.
There is a possibility that the key operation may not be smooth. Further, since a substantially horizontal groove is formed in the slit in which the width of the key guide on the key support member side is small,
If this groove is to be integrally formed, a part of the wall requires a very thin mold, and the life of the mold is extremely short. There was also a problem in that it was difficult to achieve accuracy. The only way to solve this problem is to form a groove after forming the key guide, but the groove width is extremely difficult due to the narrow slit width. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an inexpensive keyboard device that can smoothly move a key for a long period of time and can prevent the occurrence of lateral vibration and frictional noise. . [0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of keys, a key support member for swingably supporting these keys, and a key provided on the key support member. In a keyboard device having a guide portion and a guided portion provided on the key side and guided by the key guide portion, at least one of the key guide portion and the guided portion may be provided in a moving direction of the key. A sliding contact portion with the other is formed at a predetermined distance, and a convex portion or a non- contacting portion between the sliding contact portions is formed between these sliding contact portions.
Is formed with a concave portion having a concave portion for storing lubricant. In addition, a plurality of undulating portions, holes, through holes, etc. may be formed in the concave portion to increase the storage capacity of the lubricant. It is also possible to provide an inward claw portion that presses against the lubrication member, and to more reliably scrape the lubricant that moves with the key operation into the recessed portion. With the keyboard device according to the present invention constructed as described above, the lubricant that moves in the vertical direction as the key moves is scraped off by the upper and lower sliding contact portions, returned to the recessed portion, and stored. In addition, the minimum necessary lubricant is supplied to the sliding contact portion, so that the key can be smoothly moved for a long time. An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention in a state immediately before depressing and depressing a key, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration thereof, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing only the key guide, FIG. 5 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the key guide and the guided part in a normal state, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5. First, the overall structure of a keyboard device according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. A white key 1 'and a black key 1 "(hereinafter, referred to as" key 1 ") are integrally formed of resin or the like into a U-shaped cross section with an open lower surface, and a fulcrum of a projection 1c formed integrally at the rear end. The part is swingably supported on a keyboard frame (hereinafter simply referred to as a “frame”) 2 serving as a key support member, and the key 1 is biased clockwise in the figure by a key return spring 3 engaged with the frame 2. ing. L-shaped stopper pieces 1b, 1b hanging down from both side walls 1a, 1a are provided vertically below both side walls 1a, 1a at the lower part of the front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the key 1, and these stopper pieces 1b, 1b
Is brought into contact with a lower limit stopper 4a and an upper limit stopper 4b, such as felts, adhered to both front and back surfaces of the frame 2, thereby restricting the movement range of the key 1 and a pair of stopper pieces 1
The key guide 5 shown in FIG. 3 is inserted between b and 1b to prevent the key from swaying and rolling. This key guide 5
An L-shaped key guide piece 2b formed by cutting out a part 2a of the frame 2 is integrally formed by outsert molding with resin, and is used for a white key having a low height and a black key having a high height. There are two types. A substrate 6 is fixed on the back surface (or the front surface) of the frame 2, and a flexible contact rubber member 7 having a bowl-shaped bulging portion disposed on the substrate 6 corresponding to each key. Are projected upward through the through-hole 2c of the frame 2, and the contact rubber member 7 is pressed by the actuator (not shown) of the key 1, thereby turning on the key switch and generating a musical sound of each key. On the back side of the frame 2, behind the substrate 6, a front half of a key fall-off preventing member 8 made of a vinyl chloride sheet is adhered. When the key 2 is inserted through the slit 2d of the frame 2, the rear half of the key drop-off preventing member 8 is pressed downward by the projection 1d, and the projection 1d is inserted into the slit 2d, and at the same time, the key fulcrum 1c is moved toward the frame 2 To the fulcrum.
In this state, a slight gap is formed between the rear end surface of the key fall-off preventing member 8 and the projection 1c, and even when the key 1 is pulled forward against the key return spring 3, the key 1 falls off the frame 2. I will not do it. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the key guide 5 described above.
Sliding contact portions 5a are protrudingly provided at substantially both ends in the longitudinal direction of the surfaces in sliding contact with the side walls 1a, 1a and the inner wall surfaces of the stopper pieces 1b, 1b, and the key 1 is provided between the sliding contact portions on each surface. The recess 5b is formed with a slightly widened gap. The concave portion 5b is provided with a number of horizontal undulations 5c formed in a wavy shape, and the envelope surface of the ridges of the undulations 5c is in contact with the upper and lower sliding contact portions 5a. The surface is made slightly concave, and its valley is particularly filled with the lubricant reservoir. The height difference d between the sliding portion 5a and the concave portion 5b is allowed to be about 0.05 to 0.5 mm,
It is desirable to set it to about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Since this embodiment has the above-described configuration, the key guide 5 has a sufficient width and thickness, does not cause deformation due to sink marks, and can ensure high dimensional accuracy. Also, since the surface area of the undulating portion 5c is much larger than the surface area of the inner wall surfaces of the stopper pieces 1b, 1b of the key 1, the lubricant applied to the recessed portion 5b is firmly held in the undulating portion 5c, especially in its valley portion, The amount of movement of the stopper pieces 1b, 1b attached to the inner wall surfaces of the stopper pieces 1b, 1b becomes extremely small as the element 1 moves in the vertical direction. Most of the lubricant that has adhered to the inner wall surfaces of the stopper pieces 1b, 1b of the key 1 has moved due to the sliding contact portions 5a, 5a whose inner wall surfaces protrude above and below the key guide 5. It is scraped and returned into the concave portion 5b, and a very small part thereof is guided between the stopper pieces 1b, 1b and the sliding contact portions 5a, 5a to exert a lubricating effect. Moreover, the sliding contact portion 5a drastically reduces the outflow of the lubricant, and enables smooth key operation for a long period of time. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a key guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
A part or the whole of the wavy undulating portion 15c formed in the concave portion 15b between 5a and 15a is provided obliquely in the key operation direction. Also in this embodiment, the storage capacity of the lubricant is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment unless the direction of the undulating portion 15c is parallel to or close to the key operation direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a key guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
A plurality of thin horizontal folds 25c are formed in the depressions 25b between the folds 25a instead of the wavy undulations, and each fold 2c is formed.
The amount of the stored lubricant is further increased by storing the lubricant during 5c. Also in the case of this embodiment, the direction of each fold 25c may be obliquely provided not in the horizontal direction but in the key operation direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a key guide according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
A conical hole 35c is formed in the recess 35b between the holes 35a, and the hole 35c is used for the lubricant reservoir.
The operation, effects and the like are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment. In addition,
The shape of the hole 35c is a cone, a pyramid, a rectangular parallelepiped,
Any shape, such as a hemisphere, is possible. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a key guide according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
A horizontal through-hole 45c penetrating between the pair of recessed portions 45b, 45b is provided between the pair of recesses 45a, 45a, and the through-hole 45c is applied to the lubricant storing portion, so that a larger amount of lubricant can be stored. It was done. The cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 45c is not limited to a circular shape as shown, but may be any shape. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a key guide according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the key guide 55 is made of an elastic resin material, and sliding contact portions 55a and 55a formed above and below the key guide 55 are formed. Claw portions 55a ', 55 facing each other
a '. And each sliding contact part 55
The claw portions 55a ', 55a' of a, 55a have an outward spring property so as to be pressed against the inner wall surface of the key side wall, and a concave portion 55b is formed between the upper and lower sliding contact portions 55a, 55a. . According to this embodiment, the lubricant stored in the concave portion 55b and moving with the key operation is almost completely scooped by the claw portion 55a 'and returned into the concave portion 55b. This prevents the lubricant from flowing out to the maximum,
Smooth key operation can be obtained over a long period of time. In addition,
In this embodiment, the concave portion 55b has a smooth surface, but it is also possible to provide the undulating portion, the hole or the through-hole as shown in the first to fifth embodiments in this portion. Further, the claw portion may have a shape in which the tip portion is curved like a cat's claw. In this case, since the lubricant always flows out to the appropriate sliding contact portion 5a, the lubrication effect is sufficient, and there is no depletion due to scraping. In each of the first to sixth embodiments described above, the key guide provided on the frame side is provided with a pair of sliding contact portions on the surface in sliding contact with the key. However, in the seventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 12, the key guide 65 formed by outsert molding on the key guide piece 2b on the frame side is made flat, and the stopper piece 61b on the key 61 side is formed. , 61b are formed above and below the inner wall surface of the inner wall surface of the key guide 65.
A slight gap is provided in the key guide 65 between c and 61c to form a concave portion 61d, and a horizontal or oblique mesh-like undulating portion 61e is formed in the concave portion 61d. In this embodiment, the lubricant stored in the concave portion 61d formed on the inner surface of the key stopper piece 61b moves up and down with the key operation, but the moved lubricant contacts the sliding contact portion 61c with the concave portion. Edge portion 6 forming a boundary portion with portion 61d
At 1f, it is almost scooped and returned into the recessed portion 61d, and a very small portion is guided to the sliding surface between the key stopper piece 61b and the key guide 65 to enable smooth key operation. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an essential part showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention in which a part of the seventh embodiment is modified. The key guides 7 are provided above and below inner wall surfaces of stopper pieces 71b, 71b of the key 71.
5 are formed as sliding contact portions 71c, 71c.
A claw portion 71 having a concave portion 71d formed between c and 71c and opposing each other at a boundary portion with the sliding contact portion 71c and having an inward spring property.
f, 71f. According to this embodiment, the key stopper piece 71b
Since the claw portions 71f formed on the inner wall surface of the key guide 75 are pressed against both side surfaces of the key guide 75, the lubricant stored in the recessed portion 71d is depressed when the claw portion 71f slides on the side surface of the key guide 75. It is returned to the inside of the portion 71d and is prevented from flowing out. In this embodiment, it is also possible to provide an undulation on the inner wall of the recess 71d. In the above embodiment, the case where the key guide provided on the frame side is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the key has been described. FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a pair of sliding portions 81c and 81c and a concave portion 81d are provided.
May be provided on the outer wall surface of the key stopper piece 81b. In addition, although an example has been described in which one of the sliding contact surfaces is a concave portion and the other is a flat surface, both sides may be concave portions. Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the present invention is applied to a keyboard device of a keyboard electronic musical instrument, the present invention can be applied to general keyboard musical instruments such as an organ and a piano without any inconvenience. Also, the recess need not be substantially vertical, and the larger the lower, the better the recess is, so that the lubricant can easily accumulate. As described above, in the keyboard device according to the present invention, the key moving direction is provided on one of the key guide portion provided on the key support member side and the guided portion provided on the key side. A sliding contact portion with the other is formed at a predetermined distance from the other, and a concave portion for storing lubricant is formed between these sliding contact portions. There is no danger of being scraped off by the part and being returned again into the recessed part and flowing out. Since only the minimum necessary lubricant is supplied between the sliding contact portion and the other, smooth key operation can be performed for a long period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a key-depressed state of a first embodiment of the present invention with a part thereof cut away. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of the same. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a key guide on the keyboard frame side. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing only the key guide. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a positional relationship between a key guide and a guided portion in a normal state. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing only a key guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing only a key guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing only a key guide according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing only a key guide according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing only a key guide according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a key and a key guide according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Description of Signs] 1, 61, 71, 81: Key, 1a: Side wall, 1b, 61
b, 71b, 81b: key stopper piece (guided portion),
5b, 15b, 25b, 35b, 45b, 55b, 61
d, 71d, 81d: recessed portion, 2: keyboard frame (key support member), 2b: key guide piece, 3: key return spring, 4a ...
Lower limit stopper, 4b: Upper limit stopper, 5, 15, 25,
35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 ... key guide, 5
a, 15a, 25a, 35a, 45a, 55a, 61
c, 71c, 81c: sliding contact portion, 6: substrate, 7: contact rubber member, 8: key falling-off prevention member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-224662 (JP, A) JP-A-5-143059 (JP, A) JP-A-4-85386 (JP, U) Utility model registration 2534163 ( JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G10B 3/12 G10C 3/12 G10H 1/34

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] A plurality of keys, a key support member for swingably supporting the keys, a key guide portion provided on the key support member side,
In a keyboard device having a guided portion provided on the key side and guided by the key guide portion, at least one of the key guide portion and the guided portion is separated by a predetermined distance in a moving direction of the key. Forming a slidable contact portion with the other, and between the slidable contact portions, a convex portion not in contact with the other
Alternatively, a keyboard device having a concave portion for storing a lubricant having a concave portion.