JPH06149230A - Keyboard device of musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce friction between a key side fulcrum part and a key support side fulcrum part and a noise when a key is played by making the fulcrum part on the side of a key support member and the key side fulcrum part come into point contact having one contact point on the lengthwise axis of the key. CONSTITUTION:A comic projection fulcrum part 9 which is formed integrally at the rear end part of the key 2 abuts on and engages the recessed fulcrum part 8 on the side of the key support member 7. The conic axis of this projection fulcrum part 9 is aligned with the lengthwise axis of the key 2. Further, the projection fulcrum part 9 has its axis set longer than the axis of the recessed fulcrum part 8. Further, the comic angle of the projection fulcrum part 9 is set smaller than that of the recessed fulcrum part 8. Then while the projection fulcrum part 9 is fitted in the recessed fulcrum part 8, only the tip of the projection fulcrum part 9 abuts on the internal edge of the recessed fulcrum part 8 and the recessed fulcrum part 8 and projection fulcrum part 9 come into point contact having one contact point 10 on the length axis of the key 2.

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 a musical instrument such as an electronic piano, and more particularly to an improved keyboard device for reducing friction and noise when a key is played.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional keyboard devices for musical instruments are disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 1-28956 (hereinafter referred to as the first conventional example) and Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 45-8828 (hereinafter referred to as the second conventional example). Some are disclosed.

In the former first prior art example, a substantially L-shaped engaging projection provided on the lower surface of the rear end portion of the key is engaged with an engaging hole formed in the key supporting member to lock the key. The key support member is supported rotatably in the vertical direction with the contact portion between the engagement protrusion and the edge portion of the engagement hole as a fulcrum, and the fulcrum portion and the guide member allow the left and right directions and the rolling direction of the key ( The movement in the direction of rotation about the axis of the key along the front-back direction is suppressed.

In the latter second prior art example, the rear end of the key and the key support member have a line contact state having one contact line extending in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) and a substantially middle part in the left-right direction. To 1
By making contact with each other in a point contact state having two contact points, the key is supported by the key support member in a vertically rotatable manner with the contact portion as a fulcrum, and by the fulcrum portion and the guide member, the left and right of the key are supported. The movement in the rolling direction and the rolling direction is suppressed.

[0005]

In the first conventional example described above, the fulcrum portion restrains the movement of the key in the left-right direction and the rolling direction, and the guide member also restrains the movement of the key in the left-right direction and the rolling direction. is doing. Therefore, even if there is a slight error in the processing accuracy or mounting accuracy of the components such as the warp / twist of the key itself, the inclination / twist of the guide member, or the distortion of the engaging protrusion, the key does not bend the guide member. This causes the noise to occur, the key does not operate smoothly, and the touch feeling (operation feeling) of the key deteriorates. Further, since the dimension between the lower surface of the key and the engagement protrusion does not exactly match the plate thickness dimension of the key support member, a gap is generated in the engagement portion between the engagement protrusion and the engagement hole, and rattling occurs. By doing so, noise is generated.

Further, since the second conventional example is not constructed so as to be able to absorb the shift of the key in the left-right direction, if the key is set with the shift, the rattling occurs when the key is depressed. Generates noise at. Further, since the line contact portion is in the line contact state having one contact line extending in the left-right direction, a guide member for suppressing the movement of the key in the rolling direction is required, and the friction portion of the key increases accordingly. , The key does not work smoothly and the touch feeling of the key becomes poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a keyboard device for a musical instrument in which friction and noise between the fulcrum portion on the key side and the fulcrum portion on the key supporting member side are reduced when a key is played. It is what

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has a fulcrum portion provided on a key support member which is brought into abutting engagement with each other while the fulcrum portion of the key is pressed by the pressing means. A keyboard device for a musical instrument, wherein the key is rotatable in the up-and-down direction with the fulcrum portions contacting each other as fulcrums, and the key is biased upward by a key returning means.
One of the two fulcrum portions has a concave shape having a wall surface that gradually expands toward the opening end side, and the other fulcrum portion has a convex shape having a wall surface that gradually decreases toward the tip end side. It is characterized in that the contact state of both fulcrums is a point contact having one contact point on the longitudinal axis of the key.

[0009]

Operation: One of the fulcrum portion on the key support member side and the fulcrum portion on the key side is a concave shape having a wall surface that gradually expands toward the opening end side, and the other fulcrum portion moves toward the tip side. Because of the convex shape having the gradually decreasing wall surface, the contact state of the both fulcrums is a point contact having one contact point on the longitudinal axis of the key. Therefore, the key can move up and down, left and right, and in the rolling direction within the range of movement used as a keyboard.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a key part of a keyboard device of a musical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard frame made of a metal plate or the like, and a large number of keys (white keys and black keys) are arranged in parallel on the upper surface thereof, but in FIG. 1, one key (white key) is provided. Only 2 are shown. The key 2 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open bottom surface.

A rear end wall 3 is bent and formed vertically upward at the rear end edge of the keyboard frame 1. A front end wall 4 is bent and formed vertically downward at the front end edge of the keyboard frame 1. A horizontal wall 5 is formed by bending at the lower end edge of the front end wall 4 toward the front in the horizontal direction. A front edge wall 6 is formed at the front edge of the horizontal wall 5 so as to be vertically upward and set at a height of about ¼ of the height of the front end wall 4.

A key support member 7 is provided on the upper surface of the keyboard frame 1 on the rear end side.

The key support member 7 is in the shape of an elongated rod having a rectangular cross section. The key support member 7 is set on the upper surface of the keyboard frame 1 with its rear surface in close contact with the front surface of the rear end wall 3, and is fixed by a bolt (not shown). It is fixed to the keyboard frame 1.

Inside the key support member 7, concave fulcrums 8 open at the front surface thereof are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction from the key 2
Are provided in a number corresponding to (only one is shown in FIG. 1). The concave fulcrum portion 8 has a conical shape having a wall surface 9 that gradually expands toward the opening end side.

A conical convex fulcrum 9 formed integrally with the rear end of the key 2 is fitted into the concave fulcrum 8 as shown in FIGS. The conical axis of the convex fulcrum 9 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the key 2. Also,
The axial length of the convex fulcrum portion 9 is set longer than that of the concave fulcrum portion 8. The cone angle of the convex fulcrum portion 9 is set smaller than that of the concave fulcrum portion 8. Then, in the state where the convex fulcrum portion 9 is fitted into the concave fulcrum portion 8, only the tip of the convex fulcrum portion 9 contacts the inner end of the concave fulcrum portion 8,
Therefore, the contact state between the concave fulcrum portion 8 and the convex fulcrum portion 9 is a point contact having one contact point 10 on the longitudinal axis of the key 2.

With the contact point 10 as a fulcrum, the key 2 moves up and down (see FIG. 2).
The center, arrow Y direction), the left and right (in FIG. 2, arrow X direction), and the rolling direction (in FIG. 2, arrow R direction) are rotatable by a predetermined angle within a range of movement used as a keyboard.

The key 2 is a leaf spring (key returning means and pressing means).
While being urged to rotate upward by 11, the tip of the convex fulcrum portion 9 is pressed in a direction in which the tip end of the convex fulcrum portion 8 is pressed against the inner end portion of the concave fulcrum portion 8 (direction of arrow Z in FIG. 4). Leaf spring 11
As shown in FIG. 1, the front end portion is locked to the spring receiving member 12 provided on the upper surface of the keyboard frame 1, and the rear end portion is locked to the spring receiving member 13 provided on the inner surface of the rear concave portion of the key 2. .

A substantially L-shaped stopper arm 14 is integrally projectingly provided on the lower edge of one side wall of the key 2 on the front end side, and a vertical piece 14a of the stopper arm 14 is formed on the front surface of the front end wall 4. They are facing each other. Further, the horizontal piece 14b of the stopper arm 14 is formed in a vertically elongated guide hole 15 which is formed in the front end wall 4 at intervals in the longitudinal direction thereof (only one is shown in FIG. 1). It is movably inserted and extends to the lower surface side of the keyboard frame 1. The width (widthwise dimension) of each guide hole 15 is determined by the stopper arm 1
It is set to 2 to 3 times the plate thickness of No. 4. Therefore, the horizontal piece 1 of the stopper arm 14 of the two keys 2 adjacent to each other
4b is inserted into one guide hole 15.

The upper end edge of the horizontal piece 14b of the stopper arm 14 is brought into contact with an upper limit stopper 16 made of felt or the like attached to the lower surface of the front end edge of the keyboard frame 1 so that the upper limit position of the key 2 is increased. Regulated. Further, the lower end edge of the horizontal piece 14b of the stopper arm 14 has a horizontal wall 5
The lower limit position of the key 2 is regulated by contacting the lower limit stopper 17 made of felt or the like attached and fixed to the upper surface of the key 2.

A switch pressing member (actuator) 18 is integrally provided on the inner surface of the concave portion of the key 2. A lower end portion of the switch pressing member 18 is movably inserted into an insertion hole 19 formed in the keyboard frame 1 and extends inward of the key switch assembly 20. And key 2
Is pressed downward against the urging force of the leaf spring 11, the switch pressing member 18 causes the key switch assembly 20 to move.
When the switch section (not shown) is pressed and closed, the sound generation control circuit (not shown) is driven, and a tone of a scale corresponding to the pressed key 2 is generated.

The key switch assembly 20 is arranged on the lower surface of the keyboard frame 1. Also, keyboard frame 1
The upper surface of the front edge side of the
Is projected. The guide member 21 is fitted in the concave portion of the key 2 to guide the movement of the key 2 in the vertical direction and to regulate the movement of the key 2 in the horizontal direction and the rolling direction.

In the above structure, the contact state between the concave fulcrum portion 8 and the convex fulcrum portion 9 is a point contact having one contact point 10 on the longitudinal axis of the key 2, so that the key 2 is a keyboard. Within the range of motion used as, the contact point 10 can be pivoted up and down, left and right, and in the rolling direction by a predetermined angle.

Accordingly, the convex fulcrum portion 9 on the key 2 side and the concave fulcrum portion 8 on the key supporting member 7 side are in contact with each other only at one contact point 10, and the movement used for the keyboard of the key 2 is made. The movement in the vertical, horizontal, and rolling directions is allowed within the range, and since there is no sliding at both fulcrums 8 and 9, the friction is substantially zero, the movement of the key 2 is smooth, and the touch feeling of the key 2 is It is good and does not generate noise.

Further, even if the guide member 21 restricts the movement of the key 2 in the left-right direction and the rolling direction, the key 2
Does not exert a bending action force on the guide member 21.

Further, since the tip of the convex fulcrum 9 constantly contacts the inner end of the concave fulcrum 8 due to the pressing force of the leaf spring 11, the processing accuracy and the assembly accuracy of the component parts are low, or the time elapses. Accordingly, even if the tip of the convex fulcrum portion 9 or the inner end of the concave fulcrum portion 8 is worn, the self-aligning action is performed and no gap is generated at the contact points 10 of the fulcrum portions 8 and 9, so that the rattling occurs. And does not generate noise.

As described above, the fulcrum structure itself does not restrain the movement of the key 2 in the left-right direction. Therefore, by vibrating the roll keyboard, that is, the key 2 slightly in the left-right direction, vibrato, tremolo, and pan. , It becomes easy to apply to a keyboard that can be played with a modulation effect such as reverb. In this case, a pressure-sensitive sensor composed of a silver battery based on a polyester film and a pressure-sensitive film may be attached as a roll sensor to a portion of the guide member 24 that comes into contact with the inner surfaces of both side walls of the key 2. The pressure sensitive sensor may be a pressure sensitive rubber.

A dedicated spring or weight may be provided as the key returning means.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In the present invention, the same conical concave fulcrum portion 8 as in the first embodiment described above is provided at the rear end portion of the key 2, and the conical convex fulcrum portion 9 is provided at the key support member 7. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment,
The description is omitted.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, a conical concave fulcrum portion 8 similar to that of the first embodiment, which opens at the rear surface, is provided inside the key support member 7, and the inner surface of the rear end portion of the key 2 has the first embodiment. A convex fulcrum portion 9 having the same conical shape as the above is provided so as to project toward the front, and the key support member 7 is configured so that it can be fitted into the concave portion of each key 2.
The convex fulcrum portion 9 is fitted in the concave fulcrum portion 8 and the key 2 is pressed in the arrow Z direction by a pressing means (not shown).

Since the other constructions and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the concave fulcrum portion 8 has a conical shape,
The convex fulcrum portion 9 is formed in a regular quadrangular pyramid shape, and since the other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the concave fulcrum portion 8 has a regular triangular pyramid shape and the convex fulcrum portion 9 has a conical shape. The other constructions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. Omit it.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the concave fulcrum portion 8 has a substantially semi-elliptical spherical shape, and the convex fulcrum portion 9 has a substantially bullet shape, and other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. ,
The description is omitted.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the concave fulcrum portion 8 has a substantially hemispherical shape, and the convex fulcrum portion 9 has a spherical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the concave fulcrum portion 8. In this case as well, the convex fulcrum portion 8 has a convex fulcrum portion. When 9 is brought into contact, the contact state becomes a point contact state having one contact point 10 on the longitudinal axis of the key (not shown).

The rest of the configuration, functions and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0043]

As described in detail above, according to the keyboard device for a musical instrument of the present invention, the contact state between the fulcrum portion on the key support member side and the fulcrum portion on the key side is 1 on the longitudinal axis of the key. It becomes a point contact having one contact point, and allows a predetermined angle of movement in the vertical, horizontal, and rolling directions within the range of movement used as the keyboard of the key.

Therefore, the friction during the operation of the key becomes substantially zero, the movement of the key becomes smooth, the touch feeling of the key is improved, and noise is not generated.

Further, since both the fulcrums are pressed in the direction in which they are pressed against each other by the pressing means, the processing accuracy and the assembly accuracy of the component parts are low, or the contact parts of the fulcrums wear with time. Even in such a case, the self-aligning action is performed, and no gap is generated at the contact points of the fulcrums, so that there is no rattling and no noise is generated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part of a keyboard device of a musical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion in the device of FIG. 1 in a non-engaged state.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state where a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion are in an engaged state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion in a disengaged state in a keyboard device for a musical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an engagement state of a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion in a keyboard device of a musical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the engagement state of the concave fulcrum portion and the convex fulcrum portion in the keyboard device for a musical instrument according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the engagement state of the concave fulcrum portion and the convex fulcrum portion in the keyboard device of the musical instrument according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of essential parts of a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion in an engaged state in a keyboard device of a musical instrument according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of a state where a concave fulcrum portion and a convex fulcrum portion are engaged with each other in a keyboard device of a musical instrument according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 key 7 key support member 8 concave fulcrum portion 9 convex fulcrum portion 10 contact point 11 leaf spring (key return means and pressing means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A key supporting member is abuttingly engaged with a fulcrum portion provided on a key supporting member in a state in which the fulcrum portion of the key is pressed by a pressing means, and the key is moved up and down with the mutually abutting portions of the fulcrum parts being fulcrums. In a keyboard apparatus of a musical instrument, which is rotatable in any direction and biases the key upward by a key returning means, one of the two fulcrums is gradually moved toward the opening end side. The fulcrum having the expanding wall surface and the other fulcrum part having a convex shape having a wall surface that gradually decreases toward the tip side, and the contact state of these fulcrum parts is one contact point on the longitudinal axis of the key. A keyboard device for musical instruments, characterized in that it is configured to have point contact with.