JP3675726B2 - Electronic musical instrument operation mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation mechanism for controlling musical tone elements such as timbre, volume and various effects of musical tone of an electronic musical instrument.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In addition to electronic keyboard instruments such as an electronic organ and synthesizer, there are many types of electronic musical instruments equipped with operating elements (operation keys) such as an electronic drum, a rhythm machine, a sequencer, an electronic wind instrument, and a MIDI controller.
[0003]
For example, a key of an electronic keyboard instrument functions as an operator that generates a sound of a specific pitch, changes the volume and tone of a musical tone during or after the start of sounding, tremolo, vibrato, pan, repeated hits, etc. It may also be used as a control operator for diversifying musical tones that add decorative effects. Unlike the case where a controller or the like is provided separately from the key, simultaneously with the key pressing operation for performance, for example, by adjusting the pressing force, both sound generation and control can be performed, so-called aftertouch control. A variety of performances can be performed. As a mechanism that enables such control, all parallel keys or a plurality of keys in a certain range are used as control operators, and the key pressing pressure at the time of key pressing or after key pressing is detected by a pressure sensor. In many cases, musical tone control according to the key pressing pressure is possible. In these mechanisms, a band-like pressure sensor extending over the parallel width of the control key or its interlocking member is installed at a position to receive the key pressing pressure. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the key pressing pressure applied to any one of the control keys, and the control unit controls the musical sound according to the signal.
[0004]
However, since such a band-shaped pressure sensor is usually used with a length ranging from several keys to several tens of keys, there is a problem that the cost and labor of manufacturing and mounting the pressure sensor increase. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of an electronic keyboard instrument using such a pressure sensor has also been increased.
[0005]
On the other hand, an after touch control mechanism having a sensor that acts on a plurality of keys in common has been proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-35716). The keyboard support frame extending in the key arrangement direction of the keyboard device can be rotated in the vertical direction, a shutter plate is attached to one portion of the support frame, and a shutter is provided between the lamp and the photoconductor attached to the instrument body. The plate is positioned to constitute a sensor mechanism. In this mechanism, when the support frame is rotated by the key depression, the shutter plate is rotated according to the rotation amount and the amount of light reaching the photoconductor from the lamp is changed, so that the volume change according to the key pressing pressure is changed. It is to be obtained. However, in this mechanism, since the support frame extending in the key arrangement direction of the keyboard device is provided, there is a disadvantage that the support frame is always moved when the key is pressed, and the touch feeling becomes heavy, and the manufacturing cost is high.
[0006]
In addition, there has been proposed a switch device including a member that acts in common on a plurality of operating elements (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-189515). In this device, a plurality of operating elements constitute a slide switch that is slid perpendicularly to the arrangement direction thereof, and interlocking members such as wires and threads extending in the arranging direction of the operating elements are stretched by a spring, and the operating element Is engaged. In this apparatus, when one operation element is slid from the neutral position, the interlocking member is bent in a V shape against the spring force in the sliding direction, and when another operation element is further slid, the movement member is moved. The previous operation element is pulled back to the neutral position. As a result, only one operator can be moved to the slide position, and the structure for selecting the timbre of the electronic musical instrument is simplified. However, since this switch device has only a function of switching on and off by sliding the operation element, it is not suitable for accurate aftertouch control corresponding to the key pressing pressure.
[0007]
In addition, in electronic musical instruments, sound intensity and decoration effects are controlled by operating an operator other than the keyboard, and there is a demand for a mechanism that can perform the operation easily and reliably. is there.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic musical instrument operating mechanism that can solve the problems of the conventional techniques and accurately perform aftertouch control and other musical tone operations with a simple structure.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides at least one movable member that is reciprocated by an external operation for sound generation, a holding frame that holds the movable member,
Changes in the longitudinal direction of a plurality of tension members having substantially the same length and expansion characteristics supported by the holding frame and bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member is operated Detecting portions provided on each tension member so as to detect the elastic member connected to the holding frame and one end of each tension member;
An electronic musical instrument operation mechanism comprising a reference value output mechanism for calibrating the output from the detection unit, wherein the movable member leaves at least one tension member in an off state with respect to the tension member, The reference value output mechanism is arranged so as to come into contact with the tension member of the off-state tension material when the movable member is operated. The present invention provides an operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument characterized in that an output is output as a reference value for calibrating the output of the detecting portion of the on-state stretched material (first invention).
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention also provides at least one movable member reciprocated by an external operation for sound generation, a holding frame for holding the movable member,
At least one tension member that is supported at both ends of the holding frame so as to face the movable member, and in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member is operated A detecting portion provided on the tension member so as to detect a change, and substantially the same length and expansion characteristic as the tension member, and substantially parallel to the tension member so as to maintain a tensile force on the tension member by the holding frame. An operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument characterized by comprising a long reference material supported by the instrument (second invention).
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention further provides a holding frame that holds a key, a detection tension member that is supported by the holding frame and extends in a key arrangement direction at a position where the key or a member that interlocks with the key can be contacted, and the holding The sensing tensioning material supported by the frame and extending substantially parallel to the sensing tensioning material, and detecting the change in the longitudinal direction of the tensioning material due to bending caused by contact with the key or a member interlocking with the key when the key is depressed. A detecting unit provided on the tension member and outputting a detection value as a musical sound control parameter of the electronic musical instrument, and the compensation tension member is used as a reference material for eliminating the influence of disturbance factors on the longitudinal change of the detection tension member An operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument characterized by being provided is provided (third invention).
[0012]
Preferably, the operation mechanism is supported by a detection spring and a mounting spring having a spring force stronger than the detection spring at a position separated so as to sandwich a key to be detected or a member interlocking with the key. One end of the detection tension member is supported by the detection spring and the other end is supported by the attachment spring, and a tensile force is applied. The compensation tension member has one end at the holding frame and the other end at the attachment spring. It is assumed that a larger tensile force than that of the tension member for detection is applied.
[0013]
In the operation mechanism including the detection spring and the attachment spring, the detection unit may be a strain gauge coupled to the detection spring.
[0014]
In the operation mechanism including the detection spring and the attachment spring, it is preferable that the compensation tension member has a higher tensile rigidity than the detection tension member.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the several embodiment demonstrated below, the same number is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or the same kind.
[0016]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the basic operation mechanism leading to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows an operation mechanism, and the mechanism includes a movable member 1 configured by an operation element or configured to be interlocked with the operation element, and a tension member 2 pressed by the movable member. ing. Throughout the description of the embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, one movable member is shown in the figure, but in general, a plurality of similar movable members are used side by side. The movable member 1 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction across the tension member. In the direction crossing the tension member, the y direction that is perpendicular and horizontal to the parallel direction x in the figure, the z direction that is perpendicular to the parallel direction x and vertical, or these y direction and z direction In addition, both the direction including the direction component along the yz plane and the direction including the x-direction component are included.
[0017]
The movable member 1 can be a musical sound operation part of various electronic musical instruments. For example, in addition to the keys of an electronic keyboard instrument, operation keys of an electronic percussion instrument that emits a sound such as a cymbal or a hand clamp by operating a finger or a palm, The electronic wind instrument finger operation keys, foot volume operated by foot, pedals, switches, etc. can be used as multiple operation parts to control the sound, and the operation can be moved by pushing down, pulling up, twisting, etc. Various motions such as linear motion, rotational motion, or a combination thereof can be generated. In addition, the movable member is subjected to a spring force so that the player moves in one direction by applying force to the operation element and then reciprocates by returning to the original position when the force is released. However, the reciprocation may be performed by the player's operation. The movable member includes not only a directly operated part but also a part that operates from a directly operated part via a mechanical or fluid transmission unit such as a link mechanism, a winding mechanism, or a fluid transmission device.
[0018]
The tension member 2 can be composed of various linear bodies such as strings, wires, tapes, coil springs, and the like. As a result of the tension member 2 being engaged with the movable member 1, the tension member 2 bends in various directions according to the moving direction of the movable member 1 or its interlocking member, and elastically restores its position by releasing the operation. Even when a plurality of movable members are operated, the tension member 2 bends according to the moving direction of each movable member or its interlocking member.
[0019]
In addition, when there are a plurality of movable members, the tension member 2 is stretched along the parallel direction. FIG. 2 shows various tensioning forms of the tensioning material when the keyboard of the electronic keyboard instrument is used as an operator. In the illustrated example, for the sake of simplicity, the tensioning material is bent by touching the tensioning material somewhere on the lower surface of the keyboard, thereby performing additional control such as a change in sound quality with respect to the sound produced by the key depression. Suppose that As shown in the drawing, the tension member 2a is shown in a case where it is arranged in parallel with the parallel direction of the movable member. The tension member 2b is inclined with respect to the parallel direction of the movable members, but the tension member 2b is located in a range where the operation of the range A of the movable member for controlling the musical sound can be received. The tension member 2c is parallel to the parallel direction of the movable member, but extends over a range B of the movable member that contributes to musical tone control. As described above, it is desirable that the tensioning direction of the tensioning material is parallel to the parallel direction of the movable member, but even if it is inclined with respect to the parallel direction or the vertical direction, it can bend by receiving the operation of the movable member. Any range within the range may be used. The arrangement in which the movable member parallel direction and the tension member stretching direction are provided in directions other than parallel is an effective means for continuously changing the sensitivity between the high-pitched sound side and the low-pitched sound side. Further, the tensioning range of the tensioning material 2 may be a range that can receive the operation of the movable member 1.
[0020]
Therefore, for example, in an electronic keyboard instrument, when providing a tensioning material that is stretched below the keyboard in the parallel direction of the keys and takes a bending position when the key is pressed, the tensioning material is provided in a direction other than parallel to the key parallel direction. It is possible.
[0021]
This operation mechanism detects the change in the physical quantity of the tension member bent by the movable member by the detection unit 3 and performs the musical sound control. The musical tone to be controlled can be applied to various musical tone control in an electronic musical instrument to which the present mechanism is mounted, such as sound generation, mute timing, volume, tone color, pitch, and panning. Usually, it is intended for the control of musical sounds simultaneously with the sound produced by the operation of the operator or after the start of sound production.
[0022]
By the way, in the operation mechanism of this basic structure, while a long tension member is used for musical tone control, it is necessary to detect even a very small change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member by an operator for accurate control. However, if the tensioning material expands or contracts due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity in the tensioning material, or external loads due to external force during performance of the operation mechanism attached to the instrument body, etc. An error occurs and accurate musical tone control cannot be performed. Based on the basic mechanism, the present invention realizes an operation mechanism that is not easily affected by expansion and contraction of the tension member due to environmental changes and external loads. The embodiment will be described below.
[0023]
FIG. 3 schematically shows an operation mechanism, which includes a plurality of movable members 1 that are reciprocated by a performance operation, and a holding frame 4 that holds the movable members. And a plurality of tension members 2 having expansion characteristics and supported by the holding frame. The expansion characteristic is typically a linear expansion coefficient due to heat, but depending on the material and environment used, an expansion coefficient due to humidity and other expansion characteristics may be emphasized. In this example, the one provided with two tension members is shown. The tension member 2 can be, for example, a metal string such as a piano wire. Each tension member 2 is provided at one end thereof with a detection unit 3 so as to detect a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member 1 is operated. The detection unit 3 is a displacement sensor that detects a displacement associated with a change in the length of the tension member, or a pressure sensor that detects a change in the support force at the support portion caused by a change in the length of the tension member and a tensile force generated by the elastic member 5. For example, various sensors can be used. The detection unit 3 is connected to a control unit 6 including a comparator, an arithmetic device, and the like. One end of each tension member 2 is fixed to the holding frame 4, and the other end is supported by the holding frame 4 via an elastic member 5 built in the detection unit 3. In this embodiment, the movable member 1 contacts only one tension member 2a and does not contact the other tension member 2b when operating the operator. Therefore, the tension member that contacts the movable member 1 to form an ON state and the tension member that maintains the OFF state without contact are fixedly determined. In this embodiment, a mechanism for generating an output of the off-state tension material, such as the tension material 2b and the elastic member 5 and the detection unit 3 related thereto, constitutes the reference value output mechanism 7. Here, the on state refers to a state where the movable member is in contact with the tension member, and the off state refers to a state where the movable member does not contact the tension member.
[0024]
The operation mechanism of FIG. 3 operates as follows. When the movable member 1 is moved by operating the operating element, the tension member is bent by contacting the tension member 2a. As a result, the output corresponding to the change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member 2 can be obtained from the detection unit 3 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. Since the tension member 2 expands and contracts due to environmental changes and external loads as described above, even if the operation of the operating element and the movement state of the movable member 1 associated therewith are the same, when the tension member is extended, When the change is small, and when it is contracted, the output from the detection unit 3 is obtained as if the change after the operation is large.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the operation mechanism of FIG. 3, the output from the tension member 2b by the reference value output mechanism 7 does not receive the contact pressure of the movable member 1, and is obtained as an output reflecting the expansion and contraction due to environmental changes and external loads. It is done. Therefore, the control unit 6 uses the detection unit output value of the off-state stretching material 2b as a reference value and subtracts it from the detection unit output of the on-state stretching material 2a, so that an output value that is not affected by disturbance factors such as environmental changes and external loads can be obtained. can get. In particular, since the two tension members 2 have substantially the same length and the same expansion characteristics, the influences of disturbance factors are the same, and high accuracy is guaranteed.
[0026]
That is, when the outputs from the detection unit 3a of the on-state tension member 2a and the detection unit 3b of the off-state tension material 2b when operating the operator are Sa and Sb, respectively, the drive signal S output from the control unit 6 is
S = Sa-Sb
As a result, the disturbance factor is canceled out, and an output value by the operation of a pure movable member that is not affected by the disturbance factor is obtained. The output Sb includes information on the change in the distance between the end points of the stretched material, and an accurate output value can be obtained by subtracting this from the detection unit of the on-state stretched material.
[0027]
In addition to the difference algorithm as described above, such output value processing can be performed while ignoring the output of the detection unit 3a while the output of the detection unit 3b is being detected. Also, if one tension member is more susceptible to disturbance factors than the other tension material due to mounting restrictions, etc., calculate the output of the sensitive tension member detection part by multiplying its output by a coefficient that reduces sensitivity. It is also possible. Again,
S = f (Sa, Sb)
There is an advantage that the drive signal S can be obtained.
[0028]
The operation mechanism shown in FIG. 4 has a structure in which the movable member 1 can be rotated around a shaft 1a like a toggle switch, and either one is pushed down by operation of the operation element. Therefore, according to the operation of the movable member 1, the tension member 2 that comes into contact is turned on, and the tension member 2 that does not come into contact is turned off. The reference value output mechanism 7 cooperates with the switching mechanism provided in the control unit 6 to turn on the output from the tension member 2 on the movable member 1 that cannot be pushed down in conjunction with the operation of the movable member 1. Output as a reference value for output calibration of the tension member detection unit 3. The switching mechanism linked to the operation of the movable member 1 can be various, such as a link mechanism connected to the movable member 1 or a mechanism using a switch that is switched by the operation of the movable member 1.
[0029]
As described above, in the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit output value of the tension member 2 that is not pushed down is used as a reference value, and is subtracted from the detection unit output of the on-state tension member 2a. An output value that is not affected by is obtained.
[0030]
The operation mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a large number of tension members 2 (four in the illustrated example), and movable members 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f are arranged corresponding to the tension members 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f. Yes. By providing a large number of tension members 2 as described above, it is possible to change the sensitivity to the operation of the operator or change the type of decoration effect for each tension member. For example, the movable members that are in contact with the same tension member can be made into one group, and the operation elements can be grouped correspondingly to determine the position on the keyboard device for each group. Thereby, a different decoration effect can be set for each area in the keyboard device.
[0031]
In this operation mechanism, the control unit 6 can discriminate a tension member that does not have a sharp change with time, and can output the output of the detection unit as a reference value for output calibration of the detection unit of the on-state tension member. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an off-state may be secured by providing an interlocking mechanism in which at least any one tension member 2 does not come into contact with the movable member 1 when any operator is operated. Alternatively, the off state may be ensured by grouping the operating members and the movable members corresponding to a group of sounds that are not used in the combination of the operating members according to normal performance in music theory.
[0032]
In this manner, in the operation mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the output from at least one of the off-state stretcher detection units can be output as a reference value for output calibration of the on-state stretcher detection unit. it can.
[0033]
The operation mechanism shown in FIG. 7 includes a movable member 1, a holding frame 4 that holds the movable member, and a tension member 2 that is supported by the holding frame at both ends and faces the movable member 1. . The tension member 2 is provided with a detection unit 3 that detects a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member 1 is operated. Further, a long reference material 8 is disposed substantially parallel to the tension member.
[0034]
The reference material 8 has substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tension member 2. In order to make the expansion characteristics, in particular, the linear expansion coefficient due to heat substantially the same, for example, the tension member 2 can be a piano wire and the reference material 8 can be a stainless angle material.
In this embodiment, the reference material 8 is a rod having a rectangular cross section, and is supported on the holding frame 4 with a degree of freedom to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction. One end portion of the reference material 8 fixedly supports one end of the tension member 2, and the other end portion is provided with a locking portion 9, and the other end of the tension material 2 via the elastic member 5 at the locking portion. Is supported. As described above, the reference material 8 is supported by the holding frame 4 substantially in parallel with the tension member 2 so as to maintain the tensile force of the tension member 2 by the elastic member 5.
[0035]
The detection unit 3 is provided at the end of the tension member 2 on the side of the locking unit 9. In this embodiment, the detection unit 3 is built in a cylindrical part provided at the upper end of a columnar part standing on the reference material 8. As described above, the detection unit 3 is a displacement sensor that detects a displacement associated with a change in the length of the tension member, or a pressure that detects a change in the support force at the support portion caused by a change in the length of the tension member and a tensile force by the elastic member 5. Various sensors such as a sensor can be used.
[0036]
As described above, in the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 7, the reference material 8 is substantially parallel to the tensioning material 2 that supports the tensioning material 2 and has substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tensioning material 2. It extends. Therefore, even if the environmental change in temperature or humidity occurs, the reference material 8 that supports the tension member 2 is similarly subject to the environmental change. As a result, the dimensional change due to the environmental change is canceled between the tension member 2 and the reference material 8 and does not substantially appear in the detection unit 3. In addition, with respect to an external load such as the action of an external force, the rod-shaped reference material 8 has high rigidity, so that the influence on the tension member 2 can be kept small.
[0037]
In the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 8, the reference member 8 is also formed of a tension member, and is supported on the holding frame 4 together with the tension member 2. That is, one end of each is fixedly supported by the holding frame 4 and the other end is supported by one side of the intermediate member 12. The other side of the intermediate member 12 is coupled to the holding frame 4 via a mounting spring 13. A detection unit 3 is provided at one end of the tension member 2. An elastic member 5 for tensioning the tension member 2 is disposed inside the detection unit 3. Therefore, the reference material 8 is supported by the holding frame 4 so as to maintain the tensile force of the tension member 2 by the elastic member 5. Also in this embodiment, the reference material 8 has substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tension member 2. The attachment spring 13 applies a tension T higher than the maximum tension tmax acting on the tension member 2 when the movable member 1 is in contact with the reference material 8 (T> tmax). Thereby, even when the maximum tension acts on the tension member 2, the movable member 1 does not loosen.
[0038]
Also in the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 8, the reference material 8 that supports the tension member 2 has substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tension member 2, and extends substantially parallel to the tension member 2. Therefore, even if an environmental change in temperature or humidity occurs, the dimensional change due to the environmental change is canceled between the tension member 2 and the reference material 8 and does not substantially appear in the detection unit 3. Further, external loads such as the action of external force are absorbed to some extent by the mounting spring 13, so that the influence on the tension member 2 can be kept small. In order to increase the degree of external load absorption, it is desirable to increase the amount of deformation at the time of tension by increasing the spring force of the mounting spring 13. Furthermore, it is desirable that the reference material 8 has high rigidity.
[0039]
FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which the elastic member 5 in FIG. 8 is a leaf spring supported by the intermediate member 12, and the detection unit 3 is constituted by a strain sensor 3a attached to one surface of the leaf spring. Therefore, as in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the detection unit 3 can obtain a stable output against disturbance factors.
[0040]
In FIG. 10, the intermediate member 12 and the mounting spring 13 in FIG. 9 are provided on the side opposite to the detection unit 3, and the elastic member 5 (plate spring) is directly supported by the holding frame 4. Also in this embodiment, as in FIG. 9, a stable output can be obtained from the detection unit 3 against disturbance factors.
Next, an example in which an operation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in an electronic piano will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the player side of the keyboard device is referred to as the front, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear.
[0041]
11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 are a plan view, a right side view, and a left side view, respectively, of an electronic piano keyboard device. In this keyboard apparatus, the entire key is supported by a keyboard frame 20 (part of a holding frame), and the keyboard frame 20 is supported by a shelf plate 23. The key 22 is composed of a white key and a black key. Each key functions as a first movable member operated by the performer, and is supported by a support portion 27 extending in the key arrangement direction behind the keyboard frame 20. It is supported so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around a rotation center R20 in the vicinity of the contact point with the part. The second movable member 30 is supported by the keyboard frame 20 below the key 22. The second movable member 30 as a whole extends substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction, and is supported by a support piece 24 erected on the front side of the keyboard frame 20 and a recess 31 for receiving the support piece 24. Is rotated about a rotation center R30. In order to maintain the engagement state between the tip of the support piece 24 and the recess 31, one end of the S-shaped spring 41 is formed of a recess formed on the back side of the recess 31 in the second movable member 30 and formed on both sides. The spring locking portion 32 is pressed. The spring locking portion 32 is formed by a rib having a constant width in the thickness direction of the second movable member, and a thin plate portion extends vertically in the center portion in the width direction of the rib in the spring locking portion 32. . The end portion of the S-shaped spring 41 that engages with the spring locking portion 32 has a bifurcated shape having a slit at the center, and the thin plate portion is inserted into the slit for engagement. The middle part of the spring 41 is in contact with the edge of the spring through hole 411 at the center of the keyboard frame 20 in the front-rear direction, and the other end of the spring 41 presses the spring receiving part at the lower rear part of the key. It is configured. As a result, the S-shaped spring 41 acts to press the second movable member 30 against the tip of the support piece 24 at the position of the spring locking portion 32 and to push the rear portion of the second movable member from the rotation center R30. doing.
[0042]
The front end portion of the second movable member 30 is in contact with the lower end portion of the hanging piece 21 of the key 22, and is rotated in conjunction with the key when the key 22 is pressed. Near the lower part of the front end of the second movable member 30, a switch board 42 is supported by the keyboard frame 20, and a key switch 43 formed of dome-shaped rubber is fixed on the board. On the lower surface of the front portion of the second movable member 30, a switch drive unit 33 having a pair of legs extending downward at a position corresponding to the conductive member 42 is provided. The switch drive unit 33, the switch board 42, and the key switch 43 constitute a key pressing switch that senses the key pressing speed by using the conduction start time difference at the time of key pressing due to the difference in distance between the two contacts in the key switch. Yes.
[0043]
The second movable member 30 extends to the rear portion of the keyboard frame 20 and is supported in the vicinity of the rear end portion by a felt stopper member 25 fixed on the keyboard frame 20 in the rest position (non-key-pressed state). When the key 22 is pressed, the second movable member 30 moves from the rest position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12 to the key pressing position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. A stopper member 26 is held immediately behind the key 22 in the keyboard frame 20 and serves to stop the second movable member 30 that has reached the key pressing position. The stopper member 26 covers the cushioning felt 26a with a protective sheet 26b, and the rear end portion of the second movable member 30 presses the cushioning felt 26a via the protective sheet 26b. The cushioning felt 26a is generally configured by overlapping felts having different stiffnesses so as to provide a buffering action against a collision of the rear end portion of the second movable member 30 and a reliable stop feeling against the player's fingers. The second movable member 30 is made of plastic from the front part to the vicinity of the rotation center R30, and is formed so that a metal bar extends from the rear part thereof. Cause inertial resistance.
[0044]
An operation mechanism 50 according to the present invention is configured at the rear portion of the keyboard frame 20. The operation mechanism 50 generally has a structure in which two tension members are supported on both sides of the keyboard. Of the two tension members, one tension member 51 is for sensing and is held between the buffer felt 26a of the stopper member 26 and the protective sheet 26b and extends in the key arrangement direction of the keyboard device. The other tension member 52 is for compensation provided to eliminate or reduce the influence of the disturbance factor on the detection tension member 51, and corresponds to the reference material in the examples of FIGS. The compensation tension member 52 extends in parallel with the detection tension member 51 at a position slightly away from the stopper member 26 so as not to contact the second movable member 30.
[0045]
A tensioning part 60 supported by the keyboard frame 20 is provided on the outer left side of the keyboard row. The tension portion 60 includes a holding member 61 fixed to the keyboard frame 20 and a mounting plate spring 62 attached to the holding member 53. The attachment leaf spring 62 extends rearward from the holding member 61 and is then folded back to form a V-shape. A small groove is formed at the free end of each of the end portions of the detection tension member 51 and the compensation tension member 52. Supports to pull.
[0046]
A detection unit 70 supported by the keyboard frame 20 is provided outside the right end of the keyboard row. The detection unit 70 has a structure in which a detection leaf spring 72 extends from the detection circuit board 71. The detection leaf spring 72 has a base end fixed to the circuit board 71 with a screw 78 and a tip formed with a small groove to support the end of the detection tension member 51. A strain sensor 73 is attached near the base end of the detection leaf spring 72. In this example, the strain sensor 73 is configured using a piezo element. The circuit board 71 is provided with a circuit (not shown) for detecting an output signal from the strain sensor 73 and an adjustment element 74 for fine adjustment thereof. The circuit is further connected to an aftertouch controller (not shown). The end of the compensating tension member 52 on the right side of the keyboard row is fixedly supported by the keyboard frame 20.
[0047]
In the operation mechanism 50, the following settings are further made. The attachment leaf spring 62 is stronger than the detection leaf spring 72. Further, the tension member 52 for compensation has higher tensile rigidity than the tension member 51 for detection. In other words, the compensation tension member 52 is fixedly supported at the right end by the keyboard frame 20, and the left end is pulled by the mounting plate spring 62, and is in a predetermined extension state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the detection tension member 51 has the leaf spring 62 as a common holding portion and the left end thereof is held together with the compensation tension member 52, and the right end deflects the detection leaf spring 72 and its free end. Is held in. Therefore, in order to stabilize the position of the left end in a state in which the compensation tension member 52 is pulled, the spring force of the attachment leaf spring 62 is increased so that the detection leaf spring 72 does not bend greatly. The tensile rigidity of is increased.
[0048]
Next, the operation of this keyboard apparatus will be described. FIG. 11 shows a pause state before key depression. When the key is pressed from this state, the key 22 rotates downward about the rotation center R <b> 20 and the hanging piece 21 presses down the second movable member 30. As a result, the second movable member 30 rotates about the rotation center R <b> 30, and the switch drive unit 33 moves downward toward the key switch 43. The switch drive unit 33 of the key 22 is in contact with the key switch 43, turns on the key depression switch, operates the sound generation mechanism, and generates sound. During this time, the second movable member 30 raises the rear part from the rotation center R30. Then, immediately after the switch drive unit 33 comes into contact with the key switch 43, the rear end portion of the second movable member 30 comes into contact with the stopper member 26, whereby the rotation of the second movable member 30 and the key 22 is stopped.
[0049]
The operation mechanism 50 operates as follows. When the key pressing force is increased or decreased in the key pressing state, the rear end portion of the second movable member 30 changes the amount of bending of the stopper member 26, particularly the buffer felt 26a. The detecting tension member 51 is held between the buffer felt 26a of the stopper member 26 and the protective sheet 26b. Therefore, when the amount of bending of the buffer felt 26a changes, the amount of meandering of the detection tension member 51 accompanying the bending also changes. When the amount of meandering increases, the distance between the ends of the detection tension member 51 decreases, and accordingly, the deflection of the detection leaf spring 72 increases. Therefore, the output of the strain sensor 73 increases. By picking up this output change, it is possible to detect a change in the pressing force applied to the key after the key is pressed, and after touch control can be performed if the volume, sound quality, etc. are changed accordingly. By appropriately selecting the flexibility of the cushioning felt 26a and the protective sheet 26b of the stopper member 26, even when a plurality of keys are pressed, the bending of the stopper member 26 due to each key pressing can be detected. Reflecting on the meandering, accurate aftertouch control can be performed.
[0050]
However, the tension member used in the operation mechanism is a long one extending along the keyboard row. Therefore, the change in length due to disturbance factors such as temperature and humidity after being attached to the keyboard device also becomes large. If both ends of the tension member for sensing are fixed to the keyboard frame, the expansion characteristics of the tension member and the holding frame will be different, so if the original conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) differ depending on the disturbance factor, The distortion amount of the strain sensor interposed in the sensor is disturbed. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with these disturbance factors for accurate aftertouch control. In this operation mechanism, two tension members are used, and a detection tension member 51 is provided in parallel with the compensation tension member 52. Then, the tension member 52 is stretched by applying the spring force of the attachment leaf spring 62 to the compensation tension member 52, and one end of the detection tension member 51 is supported on the attachment leaf spring 62 at the same position as the compensation tension member 52. In this state, the detection tension member 51 itself receives the spring force of the detection leaf spring 72. Therefore, even if a disturbance factor acts, the influence is absorbed by the compensating tension member 52, and the spreading to the detection tension member 51 is prevented. That is, even if thermal expansion occurs due to temperature rise after attachment to the keyboard device, the support point by the attachment plate spring 62 moves by the amount of extension. The amount of thermal expansion is the same between the compensation tension member 52 and the detection tension member 51. Does not affect thermal expansion at the edges. This compensation action is similarly performed with respect to the influence of humidity between the compensation tension member 52 and the detection tension member 51 having the same elongation rate due to humidity. Depending on the external force at the time of attachment or performance, the keyboard frame may be distorted and the extension length of the extension member may change. On the other hand, the effect can be reduced by increasing the tensile rigidity of the compensating tension member 52 and increasing the spring force of the mounting leaf spring.
[0051]
In the operation mechanism according to the present invention, the tension per unit cross-sectional area of the tension member (including the case where the reference material is composed of the tension material in the second invention [embodiment: FIGS. 7 to 10]) is made substantially equal. Is desirable. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), when the tension members S and M are made of a single wire material, the tension T acting on each tension material is shown._S, T_M And cross-sectional area A_S, A_M Relationship
T_S/ A_S≒ T_M/ A_M
It means to become. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), when one stretched material is composed of a plurality of wire rods, the total cross-sectional area of one stretched material is A._S, A_M
It is only necessary to satisfy the previous equation.
[0052]
This is because the behavior of the tension member with respect to the tension is performed based on the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 16 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. The tension member stretched by the holding frame 12 and the mounting plate spring 13 is expressed as a structure in which a spring and a damper (dashpot) are arranged in parallel, as indicated by an approximate symbol at each intermediate portion. That is, the strain state is determined by a combination of an elastic element (spring) in which the external force is reflected in the strain amount and a viscous element (damper) in which the external force is reflected in the strain rate. Therefore, when the viscoelastic properties of the stretching materials S and M are approximate, if the tension T per unit cross-sectional area is the same, the time until the stretching speed settles to zero is the same when the stretching materials S and M are stretched. become.
[0053]
In particular, as shown in FIG. 15, when one stretched material is constituted by a plurality of wire rods, even if the stretched materials are greatly different in diameter, they can be similarly affected by heat and humidity. . That is, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), when the tension member is formed of a single wire material, the effect of heat and humidity is less likely to penetrate into the inside of a material having a large diameter than that of a material having a small diameter. Delays the expansion and contraction reaction of the tension material. As a result, the difference in the stretched state between the tension members appears as a drift of the sensor output value of the detection unit. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17 (b) [showing the interval between the filaments exaggerated], when a single tension member is constituted by a plurality of filaments, the contact area to the surrounding environment is reduced in diameter. Regardless of the size, it is almost constant and follows the change in the environment at almost the same speed, so that the influence of the change in the environment is offset.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic musical instrument operating mechanism that provides the following effects.
[0055]
That is, in the present invention, the operation mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention supports a plurality of tension members having substantially the same length and expansion characteristics with respect to the holding frame that supports the movable member via the elastic member, And a reference value output mechanism for calibrating the output from the detection unit. The detection unit detects a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member. The plurality of movable members are disposed so as to leave at least one tension member in an off state with respect to the tension member, and come into contact with another tension member to turn it on. A reference value output mechanism When the movable member is operated, the output from at least one of the off-state tension member detection units is output as a reference value for output calibration of the on-state tension member detection unit. Therefore, the output from at least one of the detection units of the off-state tension member out of the tension members having substantially the same length and the same expansion characteristics is output as a reference value for output calibration of the detection unit of the on-state tension material. On the basis of this, it is possible to perform musical tone control such as aftertouch control with high accuracy by canceling disturbance factors.
[0056]
In the present invention, the operation mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a detection unit that supports at least one tension member via an elastic member and detects a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member on the holding frame that supports the movable member. A long reference material having substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tension member and supported substantially parallel to the tension member so as to maintain a tensile force to the tension member by the holding frame is provided. Therefore, even if the environmental change in temperature or humidity occurs, the reference material that supports the tension member similarly receives the environmental change and similarly expands and contracts. As a result, the dimensional change due to the environmental change is canceled between the tension member and the reference material, and does not substantially appear in the detection unit. Further, for external loads such as the action of external force, the influence on the tension member can be reduced by using a highly rigid reference material.
[0057]
In the present invention, the operation mechanism according to the second aspect of the present invention is the detection tension member and the compensation tension member supported by the holding frame and extending in the key arrangement direction, and the detection mechanism so as to detect a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member when the key is depressed. The compensation tension member is provided as a reference material that eliminates the influence of disturbance factors on the change in the longitudinal direction of the detection tension member. Therefore, the detection unit provided in the detection tensioning material can produce an output that eliminates the influence of disturbance factors on the longitudinal change of the detection tensioning material by the action of the compensation tensioning material, such as highly accurate aftertouch control. Musical sound control can be performed.
[0058]
In any of the above-described inventions, since the operation of the movable member is detected using the bending deformation of the tension member, the structure is simple, and the detection mechanism can be shared even if there are a plurality of movable members.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an operation mechanism for an electronic musical instrument having a basic structure leading to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating positions when the electronic musical instrument operating mechanism according to the invention is attached to an electronic piano.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (first invention).
FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (first invention).
FIG. 5 is a bottom view schematically showing still another example of the operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (first invention).
6 is a cross-sectional view of the operation mechanism shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an operation mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (second invention).
FIG. 8 is a front view schematically showing another example of the operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (second invention).
FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing still another example of the operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention (second invention).
FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing still another example of the electronic musical instrument operating mechanism according to the present invention (second invention).
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a keyboard device portion of an example in which an electronic musical instrument operating mechanism according to the present invention (second invention, third invention) is incorporated in an electronic piano.
12 is a right side view of the keyboard device portion of FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a left side view of the keyboard device portion of FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a tension member used in the operation mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a tension member used in the operation mechanism according to the present invention.
16 is an explanatory diagram of the behavior of the tension member in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the influence of the environment on the tension member shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Movable member, 2, 2a, 2b: Stretching material, 3, 3a, 3b: Detection part, 4: Holding frame, 5: Elastic member, 7: Reference value output mechanism, 8: Reference material, 13: Leaf spring for attachment 20: Keyboard frame (holding frame) 22: Key

Claims (3)

At least one movable member reciprocated by an external operation, and a holding frame for holding the movable member;
A plurality of tensioning members having substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as each other and supported by the holding frame;
Detection that is provided in each tension member so as to detect a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member is operated, and outputs a detection value as a musical sound control parameter of the electronic musical instrument And
An elastic member connected to the holding frame and one end of each tension member;
An operation mechanism for an electronic musical instrument comprising a reference value output mechanism for calibrating the output from the detection unit,
The movable member is disposed so as to leave at least one tensioning material in an off state with respect to the tensioning material, and contact with another tensioning material so as to be in an on state, and the reference value output mechanism includes: When the movable member is operated, an output from at least one of the detection units of the off-state stretchable material is output as a reference value for output calibration of the detection unit of the on-state stretchable material. Operation mechanism. At least one movable member reciprocated by an external operation for sound generation; and a holding frame for holding the movable member;
At least one tension member supported at both ends of the holding frame and facing the movable member;
Detection that is provided in the tension member to detect a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with the movable member when the movable member is operated, and that outputs a detection value as a parameter for controlling musical sound of an electronic musical instrument And
And a long reference material that has substantially the same length and expansion characteristics as the tension member and is supported substantially parallel to the tension member so as to maintain a tensile force to the tension member by the holding frame. The operation mechanism for electronic musical instruments. A holding frame for holding the key;
A tension member for detection that is supported by the holding frame and extends in the key arrangement direction at a position where it can come into contact with a key or a member that interlocks with the key;
A compensation tension member supported by the holding frame and extending substantially parallel to the detection tension member;
Detection that is provided in the detection tension member so as to detect a change in the longitudinal direction of the tension member due to bending caused by contact with a key or a member that interlocks with the key when the key is pressed, and that outputs a detection value as a parameter for musical sound control of an electronic musical instrument With
The operating mechanism for an electronic musical instrument, wherein the compensation tension material is provided as a reference material for eliminating the influence of disturbance factors on the longitudinal change of the detection tension material.

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