JP6979836B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a keyboard device that is applied to an electronic keyboard instrument or the like and realizes a key operation similar to that of an acoustic grand piano by using a key having a relatively short length.

Generally, in an acoustic grand piano keyboard device, the key is configured to be relatively long (for example, 50 to 60 cm) and swings around a balance pin provided near the center in the length direction as a fulcrum. ing. When a keyboard device having such a long key is applied to an electronic piano or the like, its depth dimension becomes large. For this reason, as a keyboard device having a key length shortened, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

This keyboard device is arranged in a frame having a predetermined shape, a base end portion provided at the rear end portion of the frame, and in front of the base end portion, each of which extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged side by side in the left-right direction. It is composed of a plurality of keys and a link portion provided between each key and the base end portion. Further, an electronic board is provided on the frame, and a plurality of key switches are arranged for each key on the electronic board. Each key rests on the corresponding key switch near the center in its length direction.

The link portion between the rear end of each key and the front surface of the base end portion is integrally molded with resin together with the key and the base end portion. Specifically, the link portion is composed of two arms, each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged on the left and right sides of each other. Each arm is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness, and the front connecting portion connected to the key and the rear connecting portion connected to the base end are thinned by a semicircular concave portion that opens downward. It is formed.

In the keyboard device configured as described above, when the front end portion of the key is pushed down, the key rotates downward about the connecting portion on the rear side of both arms in the link portion. Further, in this case, since the front and rear connecting portions of both arms function as hinges, the amount of movement of the key downward at the predetermined position of the rear portion is larger than that in the case where the key rotates with the rear end as a fulcrum. The difference from the amount of downward movement of the front end of the key becomes small. As a result, the key supported via the link portion operates so as to rotate around a virtual rotation fulcrum that is supposed to be located behind the key, and the length of the key is that of a grand piano. Even if it is shorter than that, it is possible to obtain a keyboard that closely resembles the operation of a grand piano key.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-286694

However, in the above-mentioned conventional keyboard device, each key is supported in a cantilevered state by the link portion at the rear end, and each arm of the link portion is made of resin. Operation tends to be unstable. In addition, due to long-term use of the keyboard device, each arm of the link portion is likely to be deformed due to aging, and in particular, since the front and rear connecting portions of each arm are formed to be thin, cracks and breakage may occur. There is. In such a case, the desired operation of the key cannot be obtained. As described above, in the keyboard device in which the rear end of the key is supported by the above-mentioned resin link portion, the same operation as that of a grand piano key cannot be stably obtained for a long period of time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and while the key length is shorter than that of a grand piano, the key operation similar to that of a grand piano keyboard is stable for a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device capable of being obtained in a compact manner and having a compact depth dimension.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a base and a plurality of keys arranged above the base in a state in which each extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and is arranged side by side with each other in the left-right direction. And, it is provided on the base so as to support the corresponding keys from below, and when the front end of the key is pushed down, the amount of downward movement of the rear end of the key is below the front end of the key. It is provided with a plurality of link mechanisms configured to operate the key so as to be about 1/2 of the amount of movement to the base, and the link mechanisms are provided on the base at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The front and rear supports protruding upward from the base, and the front support extends forward by a predetermined length toward the predetermined position of the front of the corresponding key, and the rear end is the upper end of the front support. while being rotatably connected to the part, and the front link is pivotally connected to the predetermined position of the front the front end a lock bars are configured shorter than the front link bar, corresponding from rear support portion The rear end of the key extends forward by a predetermined length toward the predetermined position of the rear part of the key, the rear end portion is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the rear support portion, and the front end portion rotates to the predetermined position of the rear portion of the key. It has a freely connected rear link bar, and the rear end of the rear link bar connected to the rear support is from the rear end of the front link bar connected to the front support. Is also characterized by being held in a high position.

According to this configuration, a plurality of keys, each extending a predetermined length in the front-rear direction, are arranged above the base in the left-right direction. Further, a plurality of link mechanisms for supporting the corresponding key from below are provided on the base. As a result, unlike the conventional keyboard device in which the rear end of the key is supported in a cantilevered state, the key can be stably supported when the key is pressed, and stable operation of the key can be ensured. Further, in the above link mechanism, when the front end portion of the corresponding key is pushed down, the downward movement amount of the rear end portion of the key is about 1/2 of the downward movement amount of the front end portion. It is configured to be.

As described above, the key of a general grand piano keyboard device is relatively long (for example, 50 to 60 cm) and swings around a balance pin provided near the center in the length direction as a fulcrum. It has become like. Further, in the keyboard device, the portion exposed to the outside and visible from the performer side is about half of the portion on the front side of the balance pin of the key. Therefore, in a grand piano keyboard device, for example, when the key is pressed all the way down, the front end of the key is pushed down by about 10 mm, and the rear end of the exposed part of the key is about 5 mm. Move down. That is, the amount of downward movement of the exposed portion of the key at the time of pressing the key is about ½ of that of the front end portion of the key.

Therefore, even if each key of the present invention is constructed to be relatively short with a length similar to the portion exposed to the outside of the key of the grand piano, the corresponding link mechanism provides the rear end of the key at the time of key pressing. Since the amount of downward movement of the portion is about ½ of the amount of downward movement of the front end portion of the key, it is possible to realize a key operation similar to that of a grand piano key when a key is pressed.

Further, the link mechanism supporting each key has a front link bar and a rear link bar having the above configuration. Specifically, the rear end portions of both link bars are rotatably connected to the upper end portions of the front side support portion and the rear side support portion protruding upward from the base, respectively. Further, the front link bar extends forward from the front support portion toward a predetermined position of the front portion of the corresponding key, and the front end portion is rotatably connected to the front portion of the key. The rear link bar, on the other hand, is shorter than the front link bar, extends forward from the rear support towards a predetermined position on the rear of the corresponding key, and the front end is rotatably connected to the rear of the key. ing. Further, the rear end portion of the rear link bar connected to the rear support portion is held at a position higher than the rear end portion of the front link bar connected to the front support portion. The front and rear link bars of the link mechanism configured in this way support the front and rear of the key from below, so that when the front end of the key is pushed down during key pressing, it is linked to it. Then, the rear end of the key moves downward while maintaining a certain relationship with the front end of the key.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to stably obtain the same key operation as that of a grand piano keyboard for a long period of time while making the key length shorter than that of a grand piano. Since the length of the key is shortened, the depth dimension of the keyboard device and the keyboard instrument to which the keyboard device is applied can be compactly configured.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the keyboard device according to claim 1 further includes a returning means for returning the key to the released state by urging the pressed key upward. And.

According to this configuration, the pressed key is urged upward by the return means, so that the key can be stably and surely returned to the released state.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the second aspect, the returning means is provided on the base for each of a plurality of keys, and the keyboard device is provided with a plurality of urging force applying units for imparting an urging force upward. , Each of the plurality of keys is provided with a contact portion that abuts on the corresponding urging force applying portion from above.

According to this configuration, a plurality of urging force applying portions are provided for each of a plurality of keys on the base, and the abutting portion provided on the key is in contact with the corresponding urging force applying portion from above. .. In this state, when the key is pressed down, the corresponding urging force applying portion is pressed from above through the contact portion of the key, and the upward urging force as a reaction force of the urging force applying portion is the key. Acts on. As a result, when the pressed key is released, the pressed key is urged upward by the urging force of the urging force applying unit and returns to the key release state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the keyboard device according to the third aspect, the urging force applying portion is provided on a leaf spring extending by a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and a base, and immovably supports one end of the leaf spring. It has a leaf spring support portion, and the contact portion is arranged so as to abut on the other end portion of the leaf spring from above.

According to this configuration, the urging force applying portion has a leaf spring extending by a predetermined length in the front-rear direction, and one end of the leaf spring is immovably supported by the leaf spring support portion on the base and the plate. The contact portion of the corresponding key abuts on the other end of the spring from above. In this state, when the key is pushed down, the other end of the corresponding leaf spring is pressed from above and bent through the contact portion of the key, and the urging force as the reaction force acts on the key. As described above, the urging force applying portion can be easily configured by using the leaf spring as described above.

It is a figure for demonstrating the key device by one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the side view of the key device in a key release state, (b) is the side view which shows the key and the link mechanism disassembled. It is a side view which shows the operation of the key of the key board device, (a) shows the key release state, (b) shows the key press state. It is a figure for demonstrating the keyboard device which applied the modification of the return spring, (a) is the side view of the key device in a key release state, (b) is the side view which shows the key and the link mechanism disassembled. .. 3 is a side view showing the operation of the key of the keyboard device of FIG. 3, where FIG. 3A shows a key release state and FIG. 3B shows a key press state.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are side views of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A shows a key release state and FIG. 1B shows a state in which a key and a link mechanism are disassembled. This keyboard device 1A is applied to an electronic keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano.

The key device 1A extends from a horizontally arranged plate-shaped base 2 and above the base 2 in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1A), and extends in the left-right direction (FIG. 1A). A plurality of keys 3 arranged side by side (in the depth direction of) (only one white key is shown in FIG. 1), and a plurality of keys 3 provided on the base 2 so as to support the corresponding keys 3 from below. A plurality of sets of link mechanisms 4 (only one set is shown in FIG. 1) and a plurality of keys provided between the base 2 and the front end of each key 3 for returning the pressed key 3 to the released state. It is provided with a return spring 5 (return means, only one is shown in FIG. 1) and the like.

The key 3 is made of a molded product such as a synthetic resin and has a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. For example, the key 3 has a length (for example, 15 cm) about half of the length from the front end of a general grand piano key to the balance pin which is a fulcrum when the key swings. ing. Further, the key 3 is composed of an upper wall 3a, left and right side walls 3b and 3b, and a front wall 3c, and is formed in a hollow shape that opens downward and rearward (left side in FIG. 1).

The link mechanism 4 of each set includes a front link bar 6 in which the front end is connected to a predetermined position on the front of the key 3, and a rear link bar 7 in which the front end is connected to a predetermined position on the rear of the key 3. It has a front support portion 8 and a rear support portion 9 that are fixed on the base 2 and rotatably support the rear end portions of the front side link bar 6 and the rear side link bar 7, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 are both formed into a predetermined shape by an elongated metal plate. Specifically, the front link bar 6 extends diagonally upward and forward (to the right in FIG. 1) from the front support portion 8 on which the rear end is supported toward a predetermined position on the front portion of the key 3. There is. Further, pin holes 6a and 6b are formed in the front end portion and the rear end portion of the front link bar 6, respectively.

On the other hand, the rear link bar 7 is configured to be shorter than the front link bar 6 described above, and has a predetermined length diagonally upward and forward from the rear support portion 9 on which the rear end portion is supported toward a predetermined position of the rear portion of the key 3. It is extended. Further, pin holes 7a and 7b are formed in the front end portion and the rear end portion of the rear link bar 7, respectively.

The front support portion 8 and the rear support portion 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction from each other, and the front shape of the upper end portion when viewed from the front side is formed in, for example, a U shape, and the front side is formed. The link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 are configured to be supported while being sandwiched from both the left and right sides. Further, pin holes 8a and 9a are formed at the upper ends of the front support portion 8 and the rear support portion 9, respectively.

In the link mechanism 4 configured as described above, the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 are connected to the key 3 as follows. A front key connecting pin 11 extending horizontally between the left and right side walls 3c and 3c is fixed to the key 3 at a predetermined position on the front side thereof, while the left and right side walls 3c and 3c are fixed at a predetermined position on the rear side. A rear key connecting pin 12 extending horizontally is fixed.

The front end of the front link bar 6 is inserted into the front key connecting pin 11 of the key 3 via the pin hole 6a, whereby the front end of the link bar 6 is rotatably connected to the front of the key 3. On the other hand, the front end of the rear link bar 7 is inserted into the rear key connecting pin 12 of the key 3 via the pin hole 7a, whereby the rear link bar 7 is rotatably connected to the rear of the key 3. There is.

Further, the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 are connected to the front support portion 8 and the rear support portion 9, respectively, as follows. That is, the front end of the front link bar 6 is inserted through the front support pin 13 fixed to the pin hole 8a of the front support portion 8 via the pin hole 6b, whereby the rear end of the front link bar 6 is rotated with respect to the front support portion 8. It is connected freely. On the other hand, the rear end of the rear link bar 7 is inserted into the rear support pin 14 fixed to the pin hole 9a of the rear support portion 9 via the pin hole 7b, whereby the rear support portion 9 is inserted. On the other hand, they are rotatably connected.

The return spring 5 is composed of, for example, a compression coil spring, and is provided so as to urge the key 3 upward when the key 3 is pushed down from the released state.

In the electronic keyboard instrument to which the keyboard device 1A configured as described above is applied, the link mechanism 4 and the return spring 5 on the lower side of the key 3 are covered with an outer case (not shown) so as not to be seen from the outside. It is covered. Further, on the rear side of the key 3, a front panel P that stands up from the vicinity of the rear end of the upper surface of the key 3 and forms a part of the outer case is provided. Therefore, in this keyboard device 1A, almost the entire key 3 is exposed to the outside.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the key 3 of the key device 1A at the time of key pressing will be described. Figures (a) and (b) show the key release state when the front end of the key 3 is not pressed down, and the key press state when the key 3 is pressed down, respectively.

As shown by the white arrows in FIG. 2A, when the front end of the key 3 is pushed down by a performer or the like against the urging force of the return spring 5, the front link bar 6 and the rear link are linked. The bars 7 rotate clockwise about the front support pin 13 and the rear support pin 14, respectively. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the front end portion of the key 3 is pushed down to the lowest position, the front end portion thereof is at a distance F (as compared with the case of the key release state in FIG. 2A). For example, it is located below by 10 mm), and the rear end is located below by distance R (for example, 5 mm), which is about 1/2 of the distance F.

Further, when the finger is released from the pressed key 3, the key 3 moves upward due to the urging force of the return spring 5, and the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 move to the front support pin 13 and the rear, respectively. It rotates counterclockwise around the support pin 14. As a result, the key 3 returns to the original key release state. Although not shown, the key 3 has a stopper for preventing the key 3 from moving upward beyond the position in the key-released state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the key 3 is stably supported from below by the link mechanism 4 at two locations, the front portion and the rear portion thereof, so that the rear end of the key is cantilevered. Unlike the conventional keyboard device supported, stable operation of the key 3 can be ensured. Further, the link mechanism 4 is configured such that when the front end portion of the key 3 is pushed down, the downward movement amount of the rear end portion is about ½ of the downward movement amount of the front end portion. Has been done.

Therefore, even if the key 3 has a length similar to the portion exposed to the outside of the key of the grand piano and is relatively short, the corresponding link mechanism 4 provides the rear end portion of the key 3 when the key is pressed. Since the amount of downward movement of the key 3 is about ½ of that of the front end of the key 3, it is possible to realize a key operation similar to that of a grand piano key when a key is pressed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the key operation similar to that of a grand piano keyboard can be stably obtained for a long period of time while the length of the key 3 is shorter than that of a grand piano. By making the length of the keyboard device 1A shorter, the depth dimension of the keyboard device 1A and the keyboard instrument to which the keyboard device 1A is applied can be compactly configured.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the above-mentioned keyboard device 1A, instead of the return spring 5, a return mechanism 21 (return means) for returning the pressed key 3 to the released state is provided. The key device 1B will be described. In this keyboard device 1B, the parts other than the return mechanism 21 are the same as those of the keyboard device 1A. Therefore, in the following description, the return mechanism 21 will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the return mechanism 21 is provided for each of a plurality of keys 3 between the front support portion 8 and the rear support portion 9 on the base 2, and imparts an upward urging force to the corresponding keys 3. A plurality of urging force applying portions 22 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) and a contact that is provided so as to project downward at a predetermined position at the rear of the key 3 and abuts on the urging force applying portion 22 from above. It is provided with a unit 23.

The urging force applying portion 22 is a leaf spring support portion 25 provided immediately in front of the rear side support portion 9, and a plate whose rear end portion is immovably supported by the leaf spring support portion 25 and extends by a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. It has a spring 26. The leaf spring 26 is made of a predetermined metal, has a rectangular planar shape, and is composed of a thin plate having a radius that is convex downward and gently curved in the width direction (front and back directions in FIG. 3). Further, when the leaf spring 26 exceeds a predetermined displacement due to pressing from above, the leaf spring 26 is temporarily bent and deformed, for example, like a convex (steel tape measure), due to the configuration with the above radius. ing. As a result, when the key 3 is pushed down to a predetermined position at the time of key pressing, the urging force of the leaf spring 26 is sharply reduced, and accordingly, the load when pushing down the key 3 is also sharply reduced. In this case, it is possible to obtain a touch feeling similar to the so-called let-off feeling felt by the performer at the fingertip when the key of the grand piano is pressed.

On the other hand, the contact portion 23 of the key 3 has a block-shaped screw mounting portion 27 provided in a state of hanging from the rear key connecting pin 12 inside the key 3, and the screw mounting portion 27 can be freely moved forward and backward from below. The head 28a at the lower end thereof has an adjusting screw 28 that comes into contact with the front end portion of the leaf spring 26 from above. The height of the head 28 in the key-released state of the adjusting screw 28 can be changed according to the amount of screwing into the screw mounting portion 27. In this case, the lower the height of the head 28, the more the leaf spring 26 bends forward and downward, and the deflection at the initial displacement thereof increases, so that the urging force of the leaf spring 26 also increases. This also applies when the curvature of the radius of the leaf spring 26 in the width direction is increased. Therefore, the urging force of the leaf spring 26 can be adjusted by changing the screwing amount of the adjusting screw 28 or changing the curvature of the radius of the leaf spring 26 in the width direction, and accordingly, when the key 3 is pushed down. The load and its maximum load can be changed.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the key 3 of the keyboard device 1B at the time of key pressing, as in FIG. 2 described above. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 4A, when the front end portion of the key 3 is pushed down, the front side link bar 6 and the rear side link bar 7 are centered on the front side support pin 13 and the rear side support pin 14, respectively. While rotating clockwise, the adjusting screw 28 of the key 3 presses the front end portion of the leaf spring 26 downward. As a result, the leaf spring 26 bends forward and downwards, and as described above, when the predetermined displacement is exceeded, the leaf spring 26 is deformed into a bent state. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the front end portion of the key 3 is pushed down to the lowest position, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the key 3 are compared with the key release state as in the keyboard device 1A. Are located below the distances F and R, respectively.

Further, when the depressing of the key 3 is released, the restoring force of the bent leaf spring 26 exerts an urging force on the key 3 from below via the adjusting screw 28. As a result, the key 3 moves upward, and the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 rotate counterclockwise around the front support pin 13 and the rear support pin 14, respectively, and are separated from the original. Return to the key state. As with the key device 1A, the key 3 of the key device 1B is also prevented from moving upward beyond the position of the key release state by a stopper (not shown).

As described above, this keyboard device 1B can also obtain the same effect as the above-mentioned keyboard device 1A. Further, by adjusting the height of the head 28a of the adjusting screw 28 in the return mechanism 21, the magnitude of the urging force acting on the key 3 from below in the key release state can be adjusted. Thereby, the touch feeling, which is the weight when the key 3 is pressed down, can be adjusted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be carried out in various embodiments. For example, in the key devices 1A and 1B, a link mechanism 4 having a front link bar 6 and a rear link bar 7 arranged so as to extend diagonally upward and forward is exemplified as a support for the key 3. However, various link mechanisms can be adopted as long as the key 3 at the time of key pressing can obtain the same key operation as the key of a grand piano. In the link mechanism 4, the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7 can be connected by another link bar.

Further, although the synthetic resin is exemplified as the material of the key 3, the key is not limited to this, and may be composed of various other materials (for example, a composite material). Further, although metal is exemplified as the material of the front link bar 6 and the rear link bar 7, the link bar is not limited to this, and may be composed of various other materials (for example, carbon fiber resin). Is.

Further, in the return mechanism 21 of the keyboard device 1B, a metal leaf spring 26 is adopted as the urging force applying portion 22, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the leaf spring 26 is made of another material. Further, instead of the leaf spring 26, for example, a compression coil spring extending in the vertical direction or an elastic block made of rubber can be installed between the base 2 and the adjusting screw 28. It is also possible to use the return spring 5 of the keyboard device 1A and the return mechanism 21 of the keyboard device 1B together.

Further, in the embodiment, the case where the keyboard device of the present invention is applied to an electronic keyboard instrument has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to, for example, a practice keyboard device that does not emit sound. It is also possible. In that case, devices such as sensors, switches, and electronic boards for detecting key press information are not required. Further, the detailed configurations of the keyboard devices 1A and 1B shown in the embodiment are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

1A keyboard device 1B keyboard device 2 base 3 key 4 link mechanism 5 return spring (return means)
6 Front link bar 7 Rear link bar 8 Front support 9 Rear support 11 Front key connecting pin 12 Rear key connecting pin 13 Front support pin 14 Rear support pin 21 Return mechanism (return means)
22 Energizing force application part 23 Contact part 25 Leaf spring support part 26 Leaf spring

Claims (4)

With the base
Above this base, there are multiple keys, each of which extends a predetermined length in the front-back direction and is arranged side by side with each other in the left-right direction.
The corresponding key is provided on the base so as to support the corresponding key from below, and when the front end of the key is pressed down, the amount of downward movement of the rear end of the key is the front end of the key. A plurality of link mechanisms configured to operate the key so that the amount of movement of the part downward is about 1/2.
Equipped with
The link mechanism is
An anterior support portion and a rear support portion that are provided on the base at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and project upward from the base.
A predetermined length extends forward from the front support portion toward a predetermined position of the front portion of the corresponding key, the rear end portion is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the front support portion, and the front end portion is connected to the upper end portion. A front link bar rotatably connected to the predetermined position on the front of the key,
It is configured to be shorter than the front link bar, extends forward by a predetermined length from the rear support portion toward a predetermined position of the corresponding rear portion of the key, and the rear end portion rotates to the upper end portion of the rear support portion. A rear link bar that is freely connected and whose front end is rotatably connected to the predetermined position at the rear of the key.
Have and
The rear end portion of the rear link bar connected to the rear support portion is held at a position higher than the rear end portion of the front link bar connected to the front support portion. Keyboard device. The keyboard device according to claim 1, further comprising a return means for returning the key to the released state by urging the pressed key upward. The return means is
On the base, a plurality of urging force applying portions provided for each of the plurality of keys to apply urging force upward, and
A contact portion provided on each of the plurality of keys and in contact with the corresponding urging force applying portion from above, and a contact portion.
2. The keyboard device according to claim 2. The urging force giving unit
A leaf spring that extends a predetermined length in the front-back direction,
A leaf spring support portion provided on the base and immovably supporting one end of the leaf spring, and a leaf spring support portion.
Have,
The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion is arranged so as to abut on the other end of the leaf spring from above.

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