JPH04166994A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer a device by which a smooth touch of a keyboard can be obtained and which can realize reduction of the number of parts and simplification of the work of assembling the parts by rotatably mounting a hammer arm to a keyboard chassis, and also providing a click feeling giving portion which gives a feeling of clicking. CONSTITUTION:When a protrusion 43 for sliding contact climbs over a protrusion 46 for causing a feeling of clicking, a load acting on a key 11 is rather increased and then decreased and so a player is made to feel smoothed when touching the key and the touch of the key approximating that of an acoustic piano can be obtained. Since the protrusion 46 is provided on the lower face of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, the protrusion may be of a simple form such as a semicircle and so a hammer arm 41 can be easily manufactured at low cost. Since the protrusion 43 is brought into sliding contact with the lower face of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, the rotary limit position of the hammer arm 41 which rotates and returns as the key 11 is released can be regulated in the same direction as the key 11 and as a result the function of regulating the initial position of the hammer arm 41 can be provided and so no special hammer position regulating member is required and the cost can be reduced and the work of assembling parts is made easy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a keyboard device for a keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano.

[Prior art and its problems] In keyboard instruments such as electronic pianos, hammers with a predetermined weight are placed below the keys in order to obtain a key touch feeling similar to that of an acoustic piano. The arm is rotatable in the vertical direction, and the hammer arm rotates against its own weight as the key is pressed, thereby applying a predetermined action load to the key. many.

However, in conventional keyboard instruments like this, if the hammer arm is simply rotatably attached to the keyboard chassis that rotatably supports the keys, it is possible to apply a predetermined action load to the keys. It is not possible to obtain a key touch feeling that approximates the clear key touch feeling that can be obtained on a piano.

Therefore, in order to be able to obtain such a key touch feeling, there is a system in which the non-pressing surface of the hammer arm that is pressed by the key is a cam surface with a complicated shape. There was a problem that manufacturing was troublesome and the cost was high.

In addition, in such conventional keyboard instruments, a hammer position regulating member for regulating the initial position of the rotatable hammer arm is attached to the keyboard chassis. A means for attaching it to the chassis is required, which results in a large number of parts, and the assembly work is also troublesome, resulting in an increase in cost.

[Object of the Invention] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a key with a simple hammer arm shape that approximates the key touch feeling that can be obtained with an acoustic piano. It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device that can provide a touch sensation, reduce the number of parts, and facilitate assembly work.

[Summary of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a hammer arm rotatably attached to a keyboard chassis, a hammer arm that slides into contact with the lower surface of the key, and a key presser on the lower surface of the key. The main point is that a click feeling giving part is provided which gives a click feeling to the sliding contact part of the hammer arm that comes into sliding contact with the lower surface of the key when the hammer arm is rotationally displaced in accordance with the operation. [Example] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Examples.

FIG. 1 shows the main parts of an electronic keyboard instrument to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

This electronic keyboard instrument includes a keyboard chassis 1 made of synthetic resin (or sheet metal). In the keyboard chassis 1, the rear chassis part 3 on the left side is higher than the front chassis part 2 on the right side in FIG. It has a slightly sloping structure that gradually increases in height. When this keyboard chassis 1 is assembled into a portable musical instrument body case (not shown), a certain amount of space is formed below the rear chassis section 3 compared to the section below the front chassis section 2. A dry battery storage section 5 is configured by a part of the battery storage section 5.

On the top side of the keyboard chassis 1 are a plurality of keys (white keys and black keys; however, only the white keys will be explained) 11 made of synthetic resin.
are arranged in parallel. The key 11 has a protrusion 12 formed at the rear end thereof connected to a band-shaped buffer member 1 made of non-woven fabric or the like provided at the rear of the upper surface of the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis 1.
3, the attachment part 15, which has an inverted U-shaped cross section and is formed at the rear of the protrusion 12 via a thin elastically deformable hinge part 14, is attached to the rear chassis of the keyboard chassis 1. A screw 16 is inserted into the rear portion of the upper surface of the portion 3, and the hinge portion 14 is elastically deformed so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The portion of the key 11 in front of the protrusion 12 is an upper plate 17.
．． It consists of two side plates 18 (see FIG. 2) and a front plate 19.

The key 11 is urged upward by the elastic return force of the hinge portion 14, but normally, as shown by the solid line in FIG. The piece 21 passes through the hole 22 formed in the middle chassis part 4 of the keyboard chassis 1 and passes through the middle chassis part 4 of the keyboard chassis l.
It is positioned at a predetermined initial position (upper limit position) by coming into contact with a band-shaped upper limit stopper member 23 made of rubber or the like provided on the upper inner surface of.

The upper surface of the front chassis portion 2 of the keyboard chassis l below the front plate 19 of the key 11 is made of rubber or the like for regulating the lower limit position of the key 11 by abutting the lower end of the front plate 19 of the key 11. A band-shaped lower limit stopper member 24 is provided. A key guide portion 25 is provided on the upper surface of the front chassis portion 2 of the keyboard chassis 1 on the rear side of the lower limit stopper member 24 to prevent the key 11 from swinging laterally and to guide the vertical movement of the key 11. ing. On the upper surface of the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis l below the center of the side plate 18 of the key 11, there is a band-shaped band made of rubber or the like to prevent the occurrence of abnormal noise due to contact with the lower end of the center of the side plate 18 of the key 11. A buffer member 26 is provided.

#! At two predetermined locations on the lower central surface of the upper plate 17 of 11 are first and second switch pressing protrusions 31 each having a substantially cross-shaped cross section.
．． 32 protrudes downward. 1st and 2nd
First and second rubber switches 33, 34 are arranged below each of the switch suppressing protrusions 31, 32. The first and second rubber switches 33 and 34 are provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 disposed on the lower surface side of the rear chassis section 3 of the keyboard chassis 1, and are provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 disposed on the lower surface side of the rear chassis section 3 of the keyboard chassis 1. It projects upwardly through the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis 1 through holes 36 and 37. The circuit board 35 is
One end side is supported by a substantially I-shaped support part 38 formed on the lower surface of the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis l, and the other end side is supported by a substantially U-shaped support part 38 formed on the lower surface of the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis 1. It is supported by the free end of a letter-shaped elastic support member 39.

The key 1 between the front plate 19 of the key 11 and the stopper piece 21
A hammer arm 41 is disposed in the internal space of 1. The hammer arm 41 is made of iron or the like, has a shaft portion 42 (see FIG. 2) on both sides of the central portion, and has a sliding protrusion 43 (see FIG. 2 and (See Figure 3). With the rear portion of the hammer arm 41 positioned near the stopper piece 21 of the key 11, the hammer arm 41 is inserted into a predetermined position on the upper surface of the front chassis portion 2 of the keyboard chassis l with both shaft portions 42 as shown in FIG. It is rotatably attached by being press-fitted from above into bearing holes 45 formed in a pair of hammer support parts 44 provided at two locations.

The hammer arm 41 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 1 around the shaft portion 42 by its own weight, but is normally shown as a solid line in FIG. 1 and also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG.
It is positioned at a predetermined initial position by coming into contact with the lower surface of.

At a predetermined location on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11 on the front side of the sliding contact protrusion 43 of the hammer arm 41, a click sensation imparting protrusion 46 having an approximately semicircular cross section is provided (second
(See Figure and Figure 3).

The width of the hammer arm 41 is less than half the width of the front part of the key 11, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. At a predetermined location on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 in the front part of the key 11, in cooperation with one side plate 18 of the key 11,
A hammer guide portion 47 is provided to prevent horizontal vibration of the hammer arm 41 and to guide vertical movement of the hammer arm 41.

Next, the operation of this electronic keyboard instrument will be explained.

fill is the elastic force of the hinge portion 14 and the hammer arm 4
When the key 11 is pressed against the weight of the key 11, the key 11 is displaced clockwise downward in FIG. 1 while bending the hinge portion 14. Then, the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11 presses the sliding protrusion 43 of the hammer arm 41, so that the hammer arm 41 resists its own weight and the sliding protrusion 43 moves over the key 11. While sliding the lower surface of the plate 17 to the right in FIG. 1 to get over the click sensation imparting protrusion 46, the plate 17 is rotated clockwise about the shaft portion 42 as shown by the dashed line in the same figure. . At this time, the resistance force of the hammer arm 41, which is biased counterclockwise in FIG. . Such action loads will be explained in detail later.

On the other hand, the first and second switch pressing protrusions 31.32, which are rotated integrally with the key 11, press the first and second rubber switches 33.34, respectively, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. Then, the first and second rubber switches 33.
34 are sequentially switched with a time difference corresponding to the pressing speed of the key 11. And the second rubber switch 34
By switching, key-on data is obtained that instructs the sound source section (not shown) to start producing musical tones, and the time difference t provides initial control of data related to the key press speed, that is, musical tone characteristics such as the volume and timbre of musical tones. Initial touch data will be obtained.

When the key press operation on the key 11 is released, the key 11
is upwardly displaced in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by the elastic restoring force of the hinge portion 14, and when the stopper piece 21 comes into contact with the upper limit stopper member 23, it is returned to the original initial position shown by the solid line in the same figure. In addition, along with this, the hammer arm 41 slides the slide contact protrusion 43 on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11 to the left in FIG. Shaft 4
2 in the counterclockwise direction and returned to the original initial position shown by the solid line.

Here, the action load (key load) in this electronic keyboard instrument will be explained in detail. First, at the initial stage of key pressing,
As indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 4, a load consisting of the sum of the elastic force of the hinge portion 14 of the key 11 and the resistance force of the hammer arm 41 acts on the key 11. When the key 11 is further displaced downward and reaches the point indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 4, the first and second switch pressing protrusions 31.32 begin to press the first and second rubber switches 33.34. Then, the fourth
As indicated by C in the figure, a load consisting of the elastic resistance of the first and second rubber switches 33, 34 acts on the key 11. Then, at the time indicated by the symbol in FIG. 4, the first rubber switch 33 buckles and turns on, and then, at the time indicated by the symbol E in FIG. 4, the second rubber switch 34 buckles. It turns on.

Therefore, as a result of the key-on data and the initial touch data being sent to the sound source section, a musical tone having a volume, tone, etc. corresponding to the initial touch data at this time is generated.

After this, as shown by reference numeral F in FIG.
The key 11 is the load due to the resistance force generated when riding on 6.
When the sliding contact protrusion 43 overcomes the click sensation imparting protrusion 46, the load due to the resistance force generated at this time no longer acts on the key 11. Therefore, the second
After the rubber switch 34 is turned on, the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly larger, and then the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly smaller. The key 11 is further displaced downward,
At the time indicated by symbol G in FIG. 4, the lower end of the front plate 19 of the key 11 comes into contact with the lower limit stopper member 24, and the key 11
The downward displacement of is regulated.

In this way, in this electronic keyboard instrument, a predetermined action load is applied to the pressed key 1 due to the resistance force of the hammer arm 41, and the player feels that the key 1i111 is heavy. will be given.

Furthermore, when the sliding contact protrusion 43 passes over the click sensation imparting protrusion 46, the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly larger, as shown by the symbol F in FIG. Since the key 11 is smaller, the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly smaller, giving the player a feeling of being released. In this way, this electronic keyboard instrument provides a key touch feeling that is similar to that of an acoustic piano.

In addition, in this electronic keyboard instrument, since the click feeling protrusion 46 is provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, the sliding contact protrusion 43 of the hammer arm 41 has a simple semicircular cross section. The hammer arm can therefore be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

In addition, in this electronic keyboard instrument, since the sliding contact protrusion 43 of the hammer arm 41 is brought into sliding contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, the hammer arm 41 returns to rotation when the key 11 is released. The rotation limit position in the same direction can be regulated by the sliding contact protrusion 43 coming into contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, and as a result, the initial position of the hammer arm 41 can be regulated by It is possible to have the function of regulating the Therefore, there is no need for a dedicated hammer position regulating member for regulating the initial position of the rotatable hammer arm 41, and the number of parts is reduced accordingly.
Cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since there is no need to assemble a dedicated hammer position regulating member, the work of assembling the parts becomes easier.

Furthermore, in this electronic keyboard instrument, both shaft portions 42 of the hammer arm 41 are rotatably attached to the hammer support portion 44 of the keyboard palm l, as shown in FIG. This eliminates the need for a dedicated shaft for supporting the device, which further reduces the number of parts and further reduces costs. Further, when attaching the shaft portion 42 of the hammer arm 41 to the hammer support portion 44 of the keyboard palm I, it is only necessary to press fit it from above, so that the hammer arm 41 can be easily assembled.

Further, in this electronic keyboard instrument, the hammer arm 41 is rotatably provided in the internal space of the key 11 between the front plate 19 of the key 11 and the stopper piece 21, so that the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis l Even if the dry battery storage part 5 is configured by a part of the space of a certain size formed below, the dry battery storage part 5 and the hammer arm 41 do not overlap, so that the dry battery storage part 5 and the hammer arm 41 cannot be stored under the hammer arm 41. Compared to the case where the section 5 is provided, the overall thickness of the musical instrument can be made thinner.

In the first embodiment, the click feeling projection 46 is provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the key 11, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
A click feeling recess 51 having a semicircular cross section is provided on the lower surface of the first plate 17, so that when the hammer arm 41 is rotated in response to the key 11 being pressed, the sliding contact protrusion 43 engages the key 11. It may be configured such that the bottom surface of the plate 17 is slid in the right direction in FIG. 5 so that the contact that enters into the click sensation imparting recess 51 comes out.

With this configuration, when $11 is pressed, the second rubber switch 3
4 buckles and turns on, as shown by symbol E, as shown by symbol I'' in FIG. The load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly smaller, giving the player a feeling of being pulled out, and then the sliding protrusion 43 comes out of the click feeling recess 51, so the load acting on the key 11 is slightly reduced. growing.

Note that the cross-sectional shape of the click-feel-imparting protrusion 46 or the click-feel-imparting recess 51 is not limited to a semicircular shape.

For example, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape of the click sensation imparting protrusion 46 is arranged so that the right side in the figure is a circular arc surface and the left side is an inclined surface that rises somewhat gently from the bottom of this arc surface. It is also possible to have a cross-sectional shape. In this way, by appropriately selecting the cross-sectional shape of the click-feel imparting protrusion 46 or the click-feel imparter four parts 51, the key 11 can be
q The click feeling given can be subtly changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the click feeling providing protrusion 46 or the click feeling providing four parts 5 are provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 17 of the ill.
1, but it is not limited to this.

For example, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a projection 46 for giving a click feeling may be provided on the lower end surface of the side plate 18 of the key 11, and a recess for giving a click feeling may be provided, although not shown. Good too.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the rubber switch 33.32 of the rear chassis portion 3 of the keyboard chassis 1 is made to protrude upward by the switch suppression protrusion 31.32 provided on the central lower surface of the plate 17 of the key 11. 34 respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, it may be configured as the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the rear part of the hammer arm 41 is extended rearward, and this extended part is inserted into the hole 2 of the middle chassis part 4.
2 and located below the rear chassis part 3, and the upper surface of the part located below the rear chassis part 3 constitutes a switch pressing part 61. In this case, the lower surface of the portion of the hammer arm 41 located on the right side of the hole 22 in the middle chassis portion 4 in FIG.
This abutment surface 6 is formed on a lower limit stopper member 63 for a black key (not shown) provided on the rear upper surface of the front chassis section 2.
2 comes into contact with the hammer arm 41, thereby braking the hammer arm 41 which rotates back to the initial position.

On the other hand, a circuit board 35 is attached to the upper surface of the rear chassis portion 3 of the keyboard chassis 1 with screws 64, and rubber switches 33 and 34 are provided on the lower surface of this circuit board 35. These rubber switches 33 and 34 are projected downward from the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis l through holes 36 and 37 formed in the rear chassis part 3 of the keyboard chassis 1, and are protruded from the switch pressing part of the hammer arm 41. It is designed to face 61. In this case, the rubber switch 33.
An upper limit stopper member 21 is integrally formed on the lower surface of one end of the 34 common base sheets 65, and this integrally formed upper limit stopper member 21 passes through a hole 66 formed in the rear chassis section 3 and then passes through the rear chassis section 3. is projected downward.

In this case, when the hammer arm 41 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 as the key 11 is pressed, the switch suppressing portion 61 of the hammer arm 41
After pressing the rubber switch 33.34 to turn it on, the hammer arm 41 is brought into contact with the upper limit stopper member 21, so that the rubber switch 33. 34(
A desired musical tone can be generated by operating the musical tone generation start instructing means). Further, there is no need to form the switch pressing protrusions 31 and 32 having a cross-shaped cross section on the key 11, and the mold for injection molding the key 11 does not have a complicated shape, so that the key 11 can be manufactured at low cost. I can do it.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to white keys has been explained. Next, the case where the present invention is applied to black keys will be explained with reference to FIG. 10. however,
In FIG. 10, parts with the same names as those in FIG. 9 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

In the electronic keyboard instrument shown in FIG. 10, the rear end of the black key 71 is rotatably attached to a synthetic resin key support member 72 provided at the rear end of the keyboard chassis 1 via a shaft 73. ing. The black key 71 is the hammer arm 4 which will be explained later.
1 is biased clockwise in FIG. 10 by the action of 1, but normally, as shown by the solid line in the same figure, the stopper piece 74 comes into contact with the upper limit stopper member 23, so that the stopper piece 74 reaches a predetermined initial position (upper limit position). ).

A projection 75 for providing a click feeling is provided at a predetermined location on the lower surface of the upper plate 74 of the black key 71 . The cross-sectional shape of the click sensation imparting projection 75 is such that the left side in FIG. 10 is the upper plate 74.
The cross-sectional shape is a plane that is almost perpendicular to the bottom surface of the body, and the right side is an inclined plane that rises slightly from the bottom of the vertical plane.

On the other hand, the hammer arm 41 has a structure in which a weight 41b is embedded in a hammer arm body 41a made of synthetic resin, and the center portion of the hammer arm body 41a is attached to a predetermined location of a keyboard chassis l made of sheet metal with screws 81. The hammer support member 82 is rotatably attached via a shaft 83 to a hammer support member 82 made of synthetic resin. hammer arm 4
1 is biased clockwise in FIG. 10 by the weight of the weight 41b, but normally, as shown by the solid line in the same figure, the sliding contact protrusion 43 located above the keyboard chassis l is pressed against the black key. By coming into contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 74 of 71, it is positioned at a predetermined initial position. The cross section of the switch suppressing portion 61 of the black key 71 is shaped like a blank print. A belt-shaped hammer stopper member 84 made of rubber or the like is provided on the lower surface of the keyboard chassis 1, which faces the upper surface of the tip end of the hammer arm 41 located below the keyboard chassis 1.

In this electronic keyboard instrument as well, it is possible to apply a predetermined action load due to the resistance force of the hammer arm 41 to the pressed keys 11, thereby giving the player the feeling that the keys 11 are heavy. I can do it. Also,
When the sliding contact protrusion 43 passes over the click sensation imparting protrusion 75, the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly larger, and then the load acting on the key 11 becomes slightly smaller, as shown by the symbol F in FIG. 4, for example. Therefore, it is possible to give the performer a sense of freedom.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the hammer arm is rotatably attached to the keyboard chassis, and the hammer arm is brought into sliding contact with the lower surface of the key. There is no need for a dedicated hammer position regulating member to regulate the possible initial position of the hammer arm.
Therefore, the number of parts is reduced accordingly, and the assembly work becomes easier, resulting in cost reduction. In addition, a click-feeling section is provided on the bottom surface of the key to give a click sensation to the sliding contact portion of the hammer arm that slides into contact with the bottom surface of the lock when the hammer arm rotates as the key is pressed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a key touch feeling similar to that of an acoustic piano with a hammer arm having a simple shape, and therefore the hammer arm can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the hammer arm is provided with a pressing portion that presses the musical sound generation start instructing means to activate the musical sound generation start instructing means, so that the pressing portion is linked to the rotational displacement of the hammer arm. The desired musical tone can be generated by activating the musical tone generation start instructing means at a good timing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of an electronic keyboard instrument to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 1, and FIG. A cross-sectional view along line ■1■ of
FIG. 4 is a diagram shown to explain the key load in this electronic keyboard instrument, FIG. A seventh diagram shown to explain the key load in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of an electronic keyboard instrument to which the third embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 8 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of the electronic keyboard instrument to which the fourth embodiment of the invention is applied; FIG. 9 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of an electronic keyboard instrument to which the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of the electronic keyboard instrument to which the invention is applied to black keys. It is a diagram. ]...Keyboard chassis, 11...Key (white key), 33.34...Rubber switch (musical sound generation start instruction means), 41...Hammer arm , 42
... Hammer arm shaft part, 43 ... Hammer arm sliding contact protrusion, 44 ... Hammer support part, 46.75 ... Click feeling giving protrusion,
51... Concavity for providing click feeling, 61...
Switch pressing part of hammer arm, 71...black key. Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a keyboard device equipped with a hammer arm that is rotatably displaced in accordance with the pressing operation of a key provided on a keyboard chassis and applies an action load to the key, the hammer arm is attached to the keyboard chassis. The hammer arm is rotatably attached, and the hammer arm is slidably in contact with the lower surface of the key. A keyboard device characterized in that a click feeling imparting section is provided for imparting a click feeling to a sliding contact section that slides into contact with the lower surface of the key. (2) The hammer arm includes:
2. The keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing section that presses a musical sound generation start instructing means for outputting a musical sound generation instruction signal in response to a key depression operation, and operates the musical sound generation start instructing means. Device.