JPH04347896A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for extra components such as return springs which differ in spring constant and a weight which is variable in mass as to an electronic keyboard musical instrument, to prevent the assembling operation from becoming complicate, and to reduce a key pressing force from a low frequency range side to a high frequency range side. CONSTITUTION:The centers of rotation of keys 5 which are arrayed in scale order and displaced by rotating when pressed are arranged on a slanting line S which gradually increases in the distance from the depression-side tip part 5a of the keys 5 from the low frequency range side to the high frequency range side, and the rotational center parts of hammer arms which place action loads on the keys 5 by rotational displacement as the keys 5 are pressed are arranged along a slanting line T which is parallel to the array of the rotational center parts of the keys 5 or a slanting line Y which gradually decreases in the distance to the rotational center parts of the keys 5 from the low frequency range side to the high frequency range side.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device for an electronic piano or the like.

0002

[Prior Art] In electronic keyboard instruments such as electronic pianos, in order to obtain a key touch feeling similar to that of an acoustic piano, a hammer arm with a predetermined weight is placed below the keys up and down. A hammer arm has been developed that is rotatable in the direction of the key, and the hammer arm rotates against its own weight as the key is pressed, thereby applying a predetermined action load to the key. ing. In such electronic keyboard instruments, the action load of the key is constant from the low to high range (but different for white keys and black keys), so the key pressing force becomes lighter as you go from the low range to the high range. I can't get the feel of the keys on an acoustic piano. Therefore, in order to obtain such a key touch feeling, various structures have been proposed in the past. For example, in the electronic keyboard instrument disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-60254, there is a structure between the keyboard chassis in which the keys are arranged and each key so that the pressing force becomes lighter from the low range to the high range. The structure is equipped with a return spring for this purpose. In addition, the electronic keyboard instrument disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-103885 has a structure in which a weight whose mass distribution is variable is provided on the key or the hammer arm, or both, so as to change the key touch feeling depending on the pitch or range. is adopted.

0003

However, in the above-mentioned former electronic keyboard instrument, the spring constant of the return spring is adjusted for each key or within the range of the key so that the key press force becomes lighter from the low range to the high range. Since the return springs have to be changed for each block, there are many types of return springs, which not only complicates parts management but also makes assembly work troublesome. In addition, in the latter type of electronic keyboard instrument, a cutout is provided in the weight that changes the feel of the key touch depending on the pitch or range, and by removing this cutout, the mass of the weight can be varied, or the required weight can be added to the weight. Since it is necessary to change the mass of the entire weight by changing the weight, the structure of the weight is not only complicated, but also the work of changing the mass distribution of the weight is required, making the assembly work complicated. The purpose of this invention is to reduce the force of key presses as they move from the low range side to the high range side, without using separate parts such as return springs with different spring constants or weights with variable mass, and without complicating the assembly work. To provide a keyboard device that can be made lightweight.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention as claimed in claim 1 is a method for adjusting the center of rotation of a key arranged in the order of a musical scale and rotating in response to a key depression operation to a distance from the tip of the key on the key depression side. It is characterized by being arranged in an inclined state that gradually becomes longer from the bass region side to the treble region side. The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a hammer arm that imparts an action load to the key by rotationally displacing as the key is pressed, and the center of rotation of the hammer arm is connected to the center of rotation of the key. It is characterized by being arranged in parallel with the arrangement or in an inclined state in which the distance to the center of rotation of the key gradually becomes shorter from the low range side to the high range side. The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the center of rotation of the hammer arm is arranged in an inclined state such that the distance from the center of rotation of the key to the center of rotation of the key gradually becomes shorter from the low range side to the high range side.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic keyboard instrument will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this electronic keyboard instrument, as shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard chassis 2 made of sheet metal is mounted on the top side of a musical instrument main body case 1 made of synthetic resin, and a chassis support plate 3 made of sheet metal and screws 4
It is provided via etc. On the top side of the keyboard chassis 2, a plurality of keys (white keys and black keys, however, only the white keys will be explained) 5 made of synthetic resin are arranged in parallel in the order of musical scales, as shown in FIG. The rear end of the key 5 is attached to a synthetic resin key support member 6 provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the keyboard chassis 2 via a shaft 7 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The key 5 is urged upward by the action of a hammer arm 21, which will be explained later, and is normally pressed by a substantially L-shaped stopper piece 9 hanging from the lower front end of one side plate 8.
is positioned at a predetermined initial position (upper limit position) by passing through a hole 10 formed in the keyboard chassis 2 and coming into contact with a band-shaped stopper member 11 made of felt or the like provided on the lower surface of the keyboard chassis 2. There is. A band-shaped stopper member 12 made of felt or the like is provided on the upper surface of the keyboard chassis 2 below the stopper piece 9 to regulate the lower limit position of the key 5. Furthermore, a guide member 13 is provided at the front end of the keyboard chassis 2 to prevent the key 5 from moving laterally.

A hammer arm 21 is disposed below the central portion of the lower surface of the key 5. The hammer arm 21 has a central portion 22a, one arm portion 22b, and the other arm portion 22.
The arm body 22 is made of synthetic resin and consists of c. The arm body 22 has the other arm portion 22c positioned below the key 5, and one arm portion 22b positioned above the keyboard chassis 2 through a hole 23 formed in the keyboard chassis 2. In this state, the central portion 22a is attached to a hammer support member 25 made of synthetic resin attached to the keyboard chassis 2 via a shaft 26 so as to be freely rotatable in the vertical direction. A weight 27 is embedded in the other arm portion 22c. The tip of one arm portion 22b has a T-shaped planar shape, and a pressed member 28 made of a smooth material is provided on the upper surface thereof. Hammer arm 21 has weight 2
7, the upper surface of the pressed member 28 is pressed clockwise in FIG. 1 by the weight of the key 5.
It is positioned at a predetermined initial position by coming into contact with the lower surface of. A band-shaped stopper member 29 made of rubber or the like is provided on the lower surface of the keyboard chassis 2 facing the upper surface of the tip end of the other arm portion 22c.

The other arm portion 22 of the hammer arm 21
On the upper surface of the proximal end of c is a switch pressing part 3 which is approximately cross-shaped in plan view.
1 is provided. A rubber switch 32 is arranged above the switch pressing part 31. The rubber switch 32 is provided on the lower surface of a circuit board 34 that is attached to the upper surface of the keyboard chassis 2 with screws 33, and projects downward from the keyboard chassis 2 through a hole 35 formed in the keyboard chassis 2. The rubber switch 32 includes first and second switch parts 36 and 37, and when the key 5 is pressed,
The first and second switch portions 36 and 37 are configured to sequentially switch with a time difference corresponding to the pressing speed of the key 5.

By the way, in this electronic keyboard instrument, the pressing force of the key 5 varies from the low range side (the left side in FIG. 2) to the high range side (the left side in FIG. 2).
The center of rotation of the key 5 and the center of rotation of the hammer arm 21 are provided in the following relationship so that the weight gradually decreases toward the right side in the figure. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 7, which is the center of rotation of the key 5, has a distance from the tip 5a of the key 5 on the key pressing side (lower end in the figure) at the rear end of the keyboard chassis 2 to the lower end of the key 5. They are arranged along an inclined line S that gradually becomes longer from the side toward the treble range side. Therefore, in the low range side, the distance from the center of rotation of the key 5 to the tip 5a of the key 5 is short, and in the high range side, the distance from the center of rotation of the key 5 to the tip 5a of the key 5 is long. As will be explained later, the pressing force of the key 5 is heavier in the lower range than in the higher range, and lighter in the higher range than in the lower range. Accordingly, the shaft 26, which is the center of rotation of the hammer arm 21, is disposed at the lower center of the key 5 along an inclined line T parallel to the arrangement of the center of rotation of the key 5. It should be noted that the rubber switch 32 moves the switch pressing portion 3 along an inclined line parallel to the arrangement of the center of rotation of the hammer arm 21.
1.

Next, the operation of this electronic keyboard instrument will be explained. When the key 5 is pressed against the weight of the weight 27 of the hammer arm 21, the key 5 moves around the shaft 7 as shown in FIG.
, the key 5 is displaced downward in the counterclockwise direction, and the lower surfaces of the side plates 8 of the key 5 press the upper surface of the pressed member 28 of the hammer arm 21 . Then, the hammer arm 21 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 about the shaft 26 against the weight of the weight 27. At this time, the hammer arm 21 is
At the initial stage of rotational displacement in the counterclockwise direction, the resistance force of the hammer arm 21, which is biased clockwise in the figure by the weight of the weight 27, pushes the key 5 through the upper surface of the pressed member 28. Since the action load acts on the lower surfaces of the side plates 8, a large action load is applied to the key 5, giving the player the feeling that the key 5 is heavy. At an intermediate stage when the key 5 further moves downward and the hammer arm 21 rotates due to inertia prior to this downward movement, the pressed member 2 of the hammer arm 21
Since the upper surface of the key 8 will be separated from the lower surface of the side plates 8 of the key 5, the resistance force of the hammer arm 21 will no longer act on the key 5, resulting in a load drop (feeling that it is coming off), which will cause the player to feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, it gives the feeling that the key 5 is lighter. Furthermore, at the final stage when the key 5 is displaced downward, the top surface of the tip end of the other arm portion 22c of the hammer arm 21 comes into contact with the stopper member 29, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. is regulated, the action load will rise rapidly,
This gives the player the feeling that the key 5 has suddenly become heavier.

[0011] Thus, in this electronic keyboard instrument, not only the above-mentioned key touch feeling can be obtained, but also the pressing force of the keys 5 becomes lighter especially from the low range side toward the high range side. In other words, the distance from the tip 5a of the key 5 to the shaft 7, which is the center of rotation, is shorter in the low range side and longer in the higher range side, so the pressing force of the key 5 is lower by the difference in distance. The high range side is lighter than the high range side. In this case, the hammer arm 21
has the same weight across all keys 5, and the shaft 26, which is the center of rotation thereof, is arranged along the inclined line T parallel to the arrangement of the center of rotation of the keys 5. The action load for the sound acts the same on both the low and high range sides. Therefore, with this electronic keyboard instrument, it is possible to give the performer the feeling that the key pressing force gradually becomes lighter from the low range side to the high range side, which more closely approximates the touch feel of the keys on an acoustic piano. You can feel the touch of a key.

In addition, in this electronic keyboard instrument, the shaft 7, which is the center of rotation of the key 5, is arranged in an inclined state such that the distance from the tip 5a of the key 5 gradually increases from the low range side to the high range side. There is no need to use separate parts such as conventional return springs with different spring constants or variable mass weights, and the number of parts does not increase and the assembly work does not become complicated.

In the above-described embodiment, the shaft 26, which is the center of rotation of the hammer arm 21, is arranged along the inclined line T, which is parallel to the arrangement of the shaft 7, which is the center of rotation of the key 5.
For example, the hammer arm 21 is not limited to this, but the hammer arm 21 can be moved along an inclined line (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The center of rotation may be arranged. In this way, the same action load is not applied to all the keys 5 when pressing the keys 5 to rotationally displace the hammer arm 21, and the rotation centers of the keys 5 are aligned. The difference in the slope of the arrangement of the center of rotation of the hammer arm 21 with respect to the slope line S makes it heavier on the bass side and lighter on the treble side, so that it is pushed even more between the bass and treble sides. You can make a difference in key strength.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the hammer arm 21 is provided to apply an action load to the key 5, but the hammer arm 21 does not necessarily have to be provided. In this case, the rubber switch 32 is connected to the circuit board 3.
The key 5 may be provided with a switch pressing section which is provided on the upper surface of the key 4 and which presses the rubber switch 32.

[0015]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the invention of claim 1, the center of rotation of the keys arranged in the order of musical scales and which rotationally displaces in accordance with the key depression operation can be adjusted to the tip of the key depression side. The return springs with different spring constants,
There is no need to use separate parts such as weights with variable mass, and the number of parts does not increase, so the key press force can be gradually reduced from the low range side to the high range side without complicating the assembly work. Can be done. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the hammer arm is provided which rotationally displaces and applies an action load to the key as the key is pressed, the hammer arm gradually moves from the low range side to the high range side. In addition to providing a key touch feeling that requires less force when pressing a key, it is also possible to approximate the key touch feeling when pressing a key to that of an acoustic piano. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the center of rotation of the hammer arm is arranged in an inclined state such that the distance from the center of rotation of the key gradually decreases from the low range side to the high range side. , the same action load is not applied to all the keys, and it is possible to further differentiate the key pressing force between the low range side and the high range side.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing the main parts of an electronic keyboard instrument.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electronic keyboard instrument showing the arrangement relationship between the center of rotation of a key and the center of rotation of a hammer arm.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Key 5a Tip of key 7. The shaft that is the center of rotation of the key 21 Hammer arm

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: The center of rotation of the keys, which are arranged in the order of musical scales and are rotated as the key is pressed, is directed from the lower end of the key to the higher end. A keyboard device characterized in that the keyboard is arranged in an inclined state that gradually becomes longer. 2. A hammer arm that imparts an action load to the key by rotationally displacing as the key is pressed, the center of rotation of the hammer arm being aligned with the center of rotation of the key. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard device is arranged parallel to the array. 3. According to claim 2, the center of rotation of the hammer arm is arranged in an inclined state such that the distance to the center of rotation of the key gradually decreases from the low range side to the high range side. A keyboard device featuring: