JPH0887269A - Keyboard musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a keyboard musical instrument with which easy position adjustment of hammer sensor units is possible. CONSTITUTION: This keyboard musical instrument has keys S, hammer mechanisms 40 for striking strings in correspondence to turning when these keys S are pushed and the sensor units 72 consisting of plural sensors 77 for detecting the prescribed points of the hammer mechanisms 40 in the prescribed positions just before the positions where the hammers 44 of the hammer mechanisms 40 strike the strings S and a frame 16 which supports the sensor units 72. The sensor units 72 are supported by means of elastic members 80 on the frame 16. The instrument is provided with moving means 82 which maintain these elastic members 80 in the state of elastically deforming the members by coming into contact or engagement with at least either of the sensor units 72 and the elastic members 80 and move the sensor units 72 in a direction approaching the hammer mechanisms 40 or parting therefrom by moving.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard instrument such as a piano configured to detect the operation of a hammer assembly which is operated by pressing a key, and more particularly to the position of a hammer sensor unit for detecting the operation of the hammer assembly. The present invention relates to a keyboard instrument whose adjustment is simplified.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a mute piano is provided with a mechanism for preventing further rotation of a hammer assembly before a hammer rotated by pressing a key hits a string. In a mute performance using such a muffling mechanism, a hammer motion is detected by a sensor instead of generating a string striking sound, and a musical tone having a pitch and a strength corresponding to a key depression can be electronically generated. It is like this. In the conventional silence playing piano, the shutter is attached to the hammer shank of each hammer assembly, and the hammer sensor assembly in which the optical sensor is arranged for each hammer is arranged slightly ahead of the pivot end of the hammer shank. The operation of the hammer is detected by the shutter being blocked by the shutter.

That is, the shutter is formed with a window through which the light of the optical sensor can pass. The optical sensor has a timing at which the front edge of the shutter makes the optical sensor in a light blocking state, and a window of the shutter crosses the optical sensor. The timing to shield the light again after the light receiving state is set is detected. Then, when the detection signals are supplied to the controller, the controller
The string striking speed Hv is calculated and output from the time from the first light shielding timing to the second light shielding timing, and the second light shielding timing is output as the string striking timing Ht. Then, the string striking speed Hv and the string striking timing Ht are stored in the storage means together with the key code indicating the depressed key, or output to the outside through the interface.

The hammer sensor unit as described above is attached to an action bracket which constitutes the skeleton of the action part of an upright piano, for example. This action bracket is arranged at the boundary of each range so that the action part is divided into three ranges of low range, middle and high range and high range, and the hammer sensor unit should be installed on each action bracket. Are arranged for each range.

[0005]

By the way, since the second light-shielding timing of the optical sensor is output as the string striking timing, the positioning accuracy of the hammer sensor unit is determined by the performance or performance that is output to the outside at the same time as the mute performance. It has a great influence on the reproduction accuracy of the performance reproduced by automatic performance after being stored. For this reason, in the conventional keyboard instrument, a spacer is interposed between the hammer sensor unit and the action bracket to adjust the position of the hammer sensor unit.

However, the above adjusting method requires the work of replacing some kinds of spacers until the position of the hammer sensor unit is determined, and each time the hammer sensor unit is removed from the action bracket, Must be installed. Therefore, there has been a problem that a great deal of labor is required to adjust the position of the hammer sensor unit.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard instrument in which the position of the hammer sensor unit can be easily adjusted.

[0008]

A keyboard instrument according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a key, a hammer mechanism that pivots to strike a corresponding string when the key is pressed, and a hammer of the hammer mechanism. In a keyboard instrument including a sensor unit including a plurality of sensors that detect a predetermined position of the hammer mechanism at a predetermined position before striking the string, and a frame that supports the sensor unit, the sensor unit includes an elastic member. The sensor by being supported by the frame via the frame and contacting or engaging at least one of the sensor unit and the elastic member to keep the elastic member elastically deformed and moved. It is characterized in that a moving means for moving the unit in a direction approaching or separating from the hammer mechanism is provided.

A keyboard musical instrument according to a second aspect is the keyboard musical instrument according to the first aspect, wherein the elastic member is a flexibly deformable strut having one end supported by the frame and the other end supporting the sensor unit. It is characterized in that the moving means is screwed into the frame and the tip portion is formed of a screw member for pressing the sensor unit or the support.

[0010]

In the keyboard instrument according to the first aspect, the degree of elastic deformation of the elastic member changes by moving the moving means, and the relative position of the sensor unit with respect to the hammer mechanism changes. At this time, the elastic member or the sensor unit and the moving unit are brought into close contact with each other due to the elastic force of the elastic member, so that the position of the sensor unit is not displaced.

In the keyboard instrument according to the second aspect of the present invention, the deflection of the support column is changed by rotating the screw member,
The relative position of the sensor unit to the hammer mechanism changes. At that time, the elastic force of the supporting column brings the supporting column or the sensor unit into close contact with the screw member, so that the sensor unit is positioned with high accuracy.

[0012]

EXAMPLES A. First Embodiment (1) Configuration of the First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an upright piano having a sound deadening function.
The structure of the hammer action part which transmits the operation | movement of the one key to a hammer and hits a string is shown. The hammer action section shown in the figure includes a key 10, a string striking mechanism 20 driven by the operation of the key 10, a hammer assembly 40 driven by the operation of the string striking mechanism 20 to strike a string S, and a string S.
And a damper mechanism 50 for pushing. The key 10 is rotatably supported by a support member (not shown) extending over the entire length of the keyboard. When the key is depressed, the rear end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 1) of the key 10 rises, and the capstan 12 attached thereto pushes up the string striking mechanism 20 described below.

In the drawing, reference numeral 15 is an action bracket, and the action brackets 15 are arranged at a plurality of positions on both sides of the upright piano and their intermediate portions. The hammer action part is the bass part,
The action bracket 15 is arranged separately in three sections, that is, the middle treble section and the treble section, and in a gap provided between the sections, together with the frame of the upright piano and the like. A center rail 16 is installed on the action bracket 15,
These action bracket 15 and center rail 16
The frame of the hammer action part is composed of and. At the lower end of the center rail 16, one wippen flange 22 is attached for each key 10. At the lower end of the whip pen flange 22, one end of a whip pen 23 whose longitudinal direction is oriented in the front-rear direction of the upright piano is rotatably supported by a pin 22a.
The whip pen 23 has a plate shape, and a whip pen heel 24 is attached to the lower surface of the other end. The lower surface of the whip pen heel 24 is supported by the capstan 12, so that the whip pen 23 is kept in a substantially horizontal initial position.

A jack flange 25 projecting upward is attached to the whip pen 23, and an upper end portion of the jack flange 25 has a substantially L-shaped jack 2.
6 is rotatably supported near the bent portion. The jack 26 is composed of a large jack 26a extending obliquely upward and a small jack 26a substantially orthogonal to the large jack 26a. The jack 26 is urged in the clockwise rotation direction in the drawing by the jack small 26b being pushed up by the jack spring 27 attached to the whip pen 23. Also,
The turning range of the jack 26 is restricted by a jack stop felt 29 attached to the center rail 16 via a jack stop rail 28.
The position of the jack stop felt 29 can be adjusted by rotating the jack stop rail screw 30.

On the other hand, on the center rail 16, a regulating rail 32 extending over the entire length of the keyboard 10 is attached via a bracket 31. A regulating button 34 whose vertical position is adjustable by a screw 33 is attached to the regulating rail 32, and the lower end surface of the regulating button 34 is jacked when the whip pen 23 is rotated to a predetermined position. A felt pad 35 with which the tip of the small 26b abuts is attached.

Next, reference numeral 41 in the figure denotes a butt forming the base of the hammer assembly 40. The bat 41 is rotatably attached to a bat flange 42 attached to the center rail 16 via a center pin 42a. A hammer shank 43 extending obliquely upward is attached to the butt 41, and a hammer 44 is attached to an upper end portion of the hammer shank 43. Further, a catcher shank 45, which is substantially orthogonal to the hammer shank 43, is attached to the bat 41.
A catcher 46 is attached to the tip portion of 5.
Further, a butt spring 47 for urging the bat 41 in the counterclockwise rotation direction is attached to the upper right end portion of the bat 41. Further, a butt under felt 41a and a bat under cloth 41b that covers the bat under felt 41a are attached to the lower surface of the bat 41.
The upper end surface of the large jack 26a is in contact with.

On the other hand, a hammer rail 36 extending over the entire length of the keyboard is attached to the action bracket 15 via a hammer rail hinge 36a. Plunger 37 is attached to hammer rail 36 for each hammer assembly 40. This plunger 37
The holder 37a is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction, and its inner end portion is supported by a vibration absorbing filling member (not shown) such as rubber provided in the holder 37a.
Under this structure, the hammer shank 43 of the hammer 44 hit by striking the string contacts the plunger 37, and the filling member in the holder 37a absorbs the kinetic energy of the hammer 44 to prevent the hammer shank 43 from rebounding. It is supposed to do. The hammer rail hinge 36a is formed in an L shape in order to avoid a stopper 66 for a catcher 46 described later. The hammer assembly 40 is held at the initial position where the hammer shank 43 is brought into contact with the plunger 37 by the urging force of the butt spring 47.

A back check 38 is attached to the free end of the whip pen 23 so as to elastically receive the catcher 46 of the hammer assembly 40 that returns to the initial position. Furthermore, next to the back check 38,
A bridle wire 39a is attached, and the upper end of the bridle wire 39a and the catcher 46 are connected by a bridle tape 39b. Bridle tape 39b
Is used to remove the rotation of the hammer assembly 40.
This is to prevent double striking of the string S due to rebound of the hammer assembly 40 by following the rotation return of the.

Next, on the center frame 16, a damper lever 51 whose longitudinal direction is oriented in the vertical direction is rotatably supported by a damper lever flange (not shown),
At the upper end of the damper lever 51, the damper wire 52
A damper 53 is attached via. The damper lever 51 is urged in the clockwise rotation direction by the damper lever spring 54 attached to the damper lever 51 and the damper lever flange so that the damper 53 is normally rotated.
Prevents the resonance when another string S is hit by pressing the string S. On the other hand, when the whip pen 23 is rotated clockwise by pressing the key, the damper spoon 55 attached to the whip pen rotates the damper lever 51 counterclockwise against the urging force of the damper lever spring 54, and the damper 53 is moved. Separate from the string S. After that, the hammer 44
Strikes the string S to generate a striking sound. Incidentally, reference numeral 5 in the drawing
6 is a damper rod, and this damper rod 56
Is to separate all the dampers 53 from the strings S by being driven by a pedal, for example.

The above is the general structure of the hammer action part in the upright piano, but the hammer action part according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following silencing mechanism 60 in addition to the above structure. That is, on the side surface of each action bracket 15, as shown in FIG.
1 is attached, and a bearing 62 is attached to the attachment fitting 61. In the figure, reference numeral 62a is an inner lining of the bearing 62, and the inner lining 62a is made of felt, for example. A shaft 63 is rotatably supported by the bearing 62, and a motor M for rotating the shaft 63 is provided at one end of the shaft 63.
The rotary shaft (not shown) is attached.

A spacer 65 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 63.
The stopper 66 is fixed via. Stopper 66
Is a cushion material 66 made of felt, for example.
and a pad 66b provided on the upper surface of the cushion material 66a and made of synthetic leather or the like for protecting the cushion material 66a. In the sound deadening mechanism 60 configured in this manner, the stopper 66 is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction (shown by the solid line in FIG. 1) to bring the hammer assembly 40 into a normal performance state in which normal rotation of the hammer assembly 40 is allowed. it can. On the other hand, from the state shown in FIG.
By turning the stopper 66 substantially downward (shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1), the rotating catcher 46 comes into contact with the stopper 66, and further rotation of the hammer assembly 40 is prevented. It can be in a playing state.

Next, a shutter 71 is attached to the axially intermediate portion of the hammer shank 43. Shutter 7
1 has an L-shape, and a window 71a is formed by cutting out the material in a rectangular shape at the tip thereof. On the other hand, a hammer sensor unit 72 is arranged at an intermediate portion between the hammer shank 43 and the damper 53. 3 to 5 are views showing the hammer sensor unit 72. As shown in FIG.
A stay 80 having a longitudinal direction oriented vertically is attached to the center rail 16 with a screw 81. The stay 80 is arranged so as to face the action brackets 15 located on both sides of the upright piano.

The stay 80 is composed of a tough metal plate which is a material for the spring. The material of the stay 80 is phosphor bronze, nickel silver, brass, spring steel (SU
P material) or stainless steel can be used. The stay 80 is attached to the center rail 16 by screws 81.
The base portion 80a is attached to the base portion 80a, and the support column 80b extends upward from the base portion 80a. The angle formed by the base portion 80a and the column 80b is set to be larger than 90 °. Therefore, the pillar 80b takes a slightly tilted posture toward the action bracket 15 side in the unloaded state. A protrusion 16 a is formed on the upper surface of the center rail 16, and the stay 80 has a base portion 80.
It is positioned by bringing a into contact with the protrusion 16a.

On the other hand, the action bracket 15 is formed with a thick portion 15a located at the upper end of the stay 80,
A screw 82 having a tip protruding toward the stay 80 is attached to the thick portion 15a. The tip of the screw 82 abuts on the stay 80 and elastically bends the stay 80.
As a result, the stay 80 presses the screw 82 with the elastic force directed in the arrow X direction in FIG. Then, the hammer sensor unit 72 is attached to the upper end portion of the stay 80 configured as described above with the screw 83.

In the figure, reference numeral 73 is a casing which is a framework of the hammer sensor unit 72. The casing 73 has a U-shaped side cross section and extends over the entire length of the keyboard. On the side surface of the casing 73,
A slit 73a through which the shutter 71 is inserted is formed. The optical sensor 77 is provided inside the casing 73.
Is attached to each slit 73a such that the slit 73a is sandwiched between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. An end surface of an optical fiber having a common optical axis is exposed at the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77, and the other end surface of this optical fiber is a light emitting element or a light emitting element provided in a controller (not shown). It faces the light receiving element. As a result, the light emitted by the light emitting element is guided to the light emitting unit via the optical fiber for light emission, and a certain amount of light is projected from the light emitting unit toward the light receiving unit. Further, the light received by the light receiving section is guided to the light receiving element via the light receiving fiber, and the light receiving state in the light receiving section is detected. In addition,
Reference numeral 78 in the drawing is a felt that elastically receives the damper wire 52.

Further, as shown in FIG.
.. are also divided into three sections, a low-pitched sound portion L, a middle-high-pitched sound portion M, and a high-pitched sound portion H, according to the position of the hammer action portion. The window 71 of the shutter 71
The rear end edge of the a (the edge on the side of the hammer shank 43) is provided at a position that shields the optical axis P immediately before the catcher 46 abuts the stopper 66 during mute performance. As a result, the length of the shutter 71 can be shortened so that the shutter wire does not come into contact with the damper wire 52 when the tip edge of the shutter 71a comes closest to the damper wire 52 (that is, the moment when the hammer 44 hits the string during normal performance). Can be Also, for the same purpose, the leading edge of the shutter 71 and the window 71
The distance from the trailing edge of a is the minimum value of the distance at which the hammer speed can be accurately detected.

The hammer sensor unit 72 configured as described above is urged in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 5 by the elastic force of the column 80b. Then, by rotating the screw 82 in the tightening direction to project the tip thereof,
The column 80b bends in the direction of the arrow Y in the figure, and the hammer sensor unit 72 moves in the same direction. This delays the timing at which the rear edge of the window 71a of the shutter 71 blocks the optical axis P of the optical sensor 77. Further, when the screw 82 is rotated in the opposite direction to pull back its tip, the elastic force causes the column 80b to return in the direction of the arrow X in the drawing, and the hammer sensor unit 72 moves in the same direction. As a result, the timing at which the rear edge of the window 71a of the shutter 71 shields the optical axis P of the optical sensor 77 is accelerated.

Further, in this embodiment, an optical sensor 85 for detecting the leading edge of the hammer 44 is provided (see FIG. 1). This optical sensor 85 is used when the rear edge of the window 71a of the shutter 71 shields the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77, that is,
It is for adjusting the position of the hammer 44 when the light receiving portion is shielded for the second time, and is arranged so that its optical axis Q is orthogonal to the string S and is separated from the string S by the distance L to the hammer 44 side. There is. Then, when the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, the tip edge of the hammer 44 is separated from the string S by the distance L.
The position of the hammer sensor unit 72 is adjusted so that it reaches the front side.

Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the lower side of the keyboard. The upright piano of this embodiment is configured so that a solenoid SOL for driving a key can automatically play. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a shutter KS is provided on the lower side of the keyboard, and the key sensor KS is provided on the upper surface of the shelf 11 facing the shutter KS.
E is provided. The key sensor KSE is provided with an optical sensor at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction (not shown),
When the key 10 is pressed, the upper optical sensor is shielded first, and then the lower optical sensor is shielded. On the contrary, when the key is released, the lower optical sensor first becomes the light receiving state, and then the upper optical sensor becomes the light receiving state. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the key-off is detected based on the output signal of the key sensor KSE.

Next, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller in this embodiment. The controller 200 shown in the figure detects the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv from the light-shielded state of the optical sensor 77. Based on this, a musical tone signal is electronically generated. Further, the controller 200 in this embodiment is configured to perform various processes such as automatic performance as will be described later. Hereinafter, the controller 200 will be described in detail.

In FIG. 7, 201 is a CPU for controlling each part of the apparatus. A ROM 202 stores a program used in the CPU 201.
Is a RAM in which various data are temporarily stored. 204
Is a panel switch section composed of various operators, and has a mute switch SW1 for instructing mute performance, a recording switch SW2 for instructing recording of performance data, a reproduction switch SW3 for instructing reproduction of performance data, and the like. There is. The panel switch unit 204 also has an adjustment mode instruction switch (not shown) for setting an adjustment mode described later.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a sensor interface, which outputs to the CPU 201 a signal according to the light receiving state of the optical sensor 77 provided corresponding to each hammer shank 43. In this case, the CPU 201 recognizes which key is operated based on the signal supplied from the sensor interface 205, outputs the key code KC corresponding to this, and outputs the light-blocking timing to the string-striking timing Ht and the striking timing. The chord velocity Hv is detected. The key-on signal KON is output at the string striking timing Ht, and the key velocity KV corresponding to the string striking speed Hv is output. When the CPU 201 receives a signal from the key sensor KSE from the sensor interface 205, the CPU 201 outputs a key-off signal KOF indicating a key-off timing based on the signal. That is, the key-off signal KOF is output at the timing when the upper and lower optical sensors in the key sensor KSE are both shielded from light and the upper optical sensor is changed to the light receiving state.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a MIDI interface, which has a key velocity K according to the key code KC, the key-on signal KON, the key-off signal KOF and the string striking speed Hv.
V is converted to a MIDI signal and output to an external device. When a MIDI signal is supplied from an external device, the key code KC, the key velocity KV, etc. are extracted from the MIDI signal and the CPU 2
Transfer to 01. Actuator interface 20
Under the control of the CPU 201, 7 supplies an exciting current to the solenoid SOL shown in FIG. The exciting current in this case is controlled to have a current value corresponding to the key velocity KV at the timing when the key-on signal KON is output. When the key-off signal KOF is output, the exciting current is stopped and the solenoid SOL is in the non-excited state. The motor drive circuit 208 rotates the motor M under the control of the CPU 201.

Next, 209 is an external storage device, for example, a floppy disk driver is used. When the external storage device 209 reads performance data from a removable storage medium (for example, a floppy disk or the like), R
Transfer (direct memory access) to a predetermined area of the AM 203. The external storage device 209 is the CPU 20.
Under the control of 1, the performance data recorded in the predetermined area of the RAM 203 is written in the recording medium.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a tone generator circuit, which is the CPU 201.
Key code KC, key-on signal KON, supplied from
It is a circuit that creates a tone signal according to the key-off signal KOF and the key velocity KV. The tone generator circuit 210 stores tone waveforms similar to those of the upright piano, and also stores tone waveforms of other musical instruments. The timbre is selected by a timbre designating switch (not shown) in the panel switch section 204, and a musical tone waveform corresponding to the designated timbre is selected. In this case, the waveform is read at a speed corresponding to the key code KC from the time when the key-on signal KON is supplied. As a result, the read waveform data has a frequency corresponding to the key code KC. Further, the amplitude and envelope of the waveform are controlled according to the key velocity KV. In this way, a musical tone signal corresponding to the key depression touch is formed. When the key-off signal KOF is supplied, the tone signal is stopped or the tone signal is attenuated according to a predetermined envelope. Which control is performed is determined by the selected tone color. Then, the musical tone signal created by the tone generator circuit 210 is supplied to the speaker SP or the headphones HH and is emitted as a musical tone.

(2) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described. a. Operation of Hammer Action Section (Adjustment Mode) First, the adjustment mode instruction switch of the panel switch section 204 is turned on to bring the upright piano into an adjustment mode for adjusting the position of the hammer sensor unit 72. Then, when the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, that is, when the string striking timing Ht is detected, the hammer sensor is arranged so that the position of the tip edge of the hammer 44 is located a distance L before the string S. Adjust the position of the unit 72. Here, when the sound deadening mechanism 60 is provided as in this embodiment, the distance L is slightly larger than the distance between the string S and the tip of the hammer 44 at the moment when the rotation of the hammer 44 is blocked by the stopper 66. The string striking speed and the string striking timing can be detected not only during the normal performance but also during the silent performance. The distance L is set to be smaller when the muffling mechanism 60 of the present embodiment is not provided than when the muffling mechanism 60 is provided, and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time. Can be brought closer to the timing at which the hammer 44 actually strikes the string. When adjusting the position of the hammer sensor unit 72,
By depressing the key and rotating the hammer 44, the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, and at the same time, the light receiving portion of the light sensor 85 is shielded by the tip edge of the hammer 44. Then, in that case, the CPU 201 determines that the tone generator circuit 21
Buzzer sounds from 0. Therefore, when adjusting the position of the hammer sensor unit 72, the screw 82 in contact with the support 80b of the stay 80 is rotated until the buzzer sounds when the key is pressed.
Change the position of 2.

(Normal play) When the key is pressed, the whip pen 23 is pushed up by the capstan 12 and the pin 2
It rotates clockwise about 2a. As a result, the jack large 26a pushes up the butt 41 to rotate the hammer assembly 40 in the clockwise direction, and the hammer 44 strikes the string S corresponding to the depressed key 10. At the time of this string striking operation, the small jack 26b comes into contact with the regulating button 34 during its rotation, whereby the clockwise rotation of the jack 26 is blocked. On the other hand, since the whip pen 23 continues to rotate, the jack 26
Using the regulating button 34 as a fulcrum
It rotates in the counterclockwise direction with respect to 3, so that
The upper end surface of the large jack 26b escapes from the lower surface of the bat 41 to the left in the figure, and moves to a position where it does not contact the bat 41.
Then, the operation of the hammer 44 to return the rotation of the hammer assembly 40 after striking the strings is temporarily stopped by the catcher 46 coming into contact with the back check 38, while the jack 26 is accompanied by the return operation of the key 10. Interlocking with the rotation return of the whip pen 23, the upper end portion of the large jack 26b enters the lower portion of the bat 41 again to enable the next string striking operation.

The operation of the hammer shank 43 described above is detected by the optical sensor 77 as follows. Hammer 4
When 4 approaches the string S, the shutter 71 attached to the hammer shank 43 causes the casing 7 of the hammer sensor unit 72 to move.
3 is inserted into the slit 73a, and the leading edge of the shutter 71 crosses the optical axis P of the optical sensor 77. As a result, the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded from light, and the light shielding timing is detected by the controller. Then hammer shank 4
3 further rotates, the window 71a of the shutter 71 crosses the optical axis P, and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is again in the light receiving state.
Next, the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is connected to the window 71a of the shutter 71.
The light is shielded by the trailing edge portion, and the timing for shielding the light is detected by the controller. At that time, the tip edge of the hammer 44 has reached a position a distance L before the string S. After that, the hammer shank 43 further rotates, and the hammer 44 strikes the strings.

As described above, the controller detects the light shielding timing of the optical sensor 77 twice. And
The second light interception timing is output as the string striking timing Ht, and the string striking speed Hv is calculated and output from the time from the first light interception to the second light interception. The string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv are recorded as performance information in the RAM 203 or the external storage device 209 together with the key code indicating the depressed key 10, or output to the outside through the MIDI interface 206. Note that the key release timing is detected by the key sensor as in the conventional case, and is recorded as performance information in the RAM 203 or the external storage device 209 together with the key code indicating the released key 10 and the time data indicating the key release timing. , Or output to the outside through the MIDI interface 206.

By the way, the detection of the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv is performed by the optical sensor 77 as described above.
It is not limited to the case where the light receiving part of the second light is shielded in accordance with the second light blocking state. The hammer shank 43 is rotated, the window 71a of the shutter 71 crosses the optical axis P, and It may be performed according to the timing at which the light receiving unit changes from the light blocking state to the light receiving state. Even in this case, the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 is adjusted so that the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is in the light receiving state when the tip edge of the hammer 44 reaches the position L before the string S.

(During mute playing) Next, in order to enter the mute playing state, first, the stopper 66 is rotated from the substantially horizontal state of FIG. 1 and directed substantially downward as indicated by the chain double-dashed line. If the key is pressed in this state, the wippen 23 will move to the capstan 12
Is pushed up by and is rotated clockwise about the pin 22a. As a result, the jack large 26a pushes up the butt 41 and rotates the hammer assembly 40 in the clockwise direction. Next, when the small jack 26b contacts the regulating button 34, the upper end surface of the large jack 26b escapes from the lower surface of the bat 41 to the left in the drawing. During that time, the hammer assembly 40 continues to rotate due to inertial force, but before the hammer 44 hits the string S, the catcher 46 contacts the stopper 66 and is rebounded counterclockwise. After that, the returning operation of the hammer assembly 40 and the like is the same as that in the normal performance.

In the case of mute performance, the hammer shank 43
The shutter 71 blocks the optical sensor 77 twice by the front edge of the shutter 71 and the rear edge of the window 71a until the hammer shank 43 is rebounded. The two times of light shielding is detected by the controller 200, and the string striking timing H is exactly the same as in the case described above.
The t and the string striking speed Hv are detected. Also in this case,
The string striking timing Ht is detected when the tip edge of the hammer 44 reaches a position before the string S by a distance L. Then, the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv are supplied to the tone generator circuit 210 together with the key code indicating the operated key, whereby a tone signal corresponding to the key operation is emitted.

In this case, if the musical tone signal generated by the sound source is set in the same manner as the musical tone waveform of this upright piano, the player can hear the musical tone similar to that in the normal performance through the headphones. . In this way, the hammer 44
Does not generate a string striking sound because it is bounced before hitting the string S, but a similar musical sound can be heard through headphones or the like.

Further, also in the case of the mute performance, as in the case of the normal performance, the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv.
The key release timing is recorded in the RAM 203 or the external storage device 209 as performance information, or is output to the outside via the MIDI interface 206, as described later. . As a result, not only in the case of normal performance but also in the case of mute performance,
You can record performances or control external devices.

B. Performance / Recording Process (Normal Performance Mode) FIG. 8 shows performance / recording in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows a recording process. First, in step SPa1, various registers are initialized and the motor M is set to the initial position, that is, the position for normal performance. Next, in step SPa2, it is determined whether or not mute performance is designated. In this case, when the mute switch SW1 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, a mute performance is instructed, and when the mute switch SW1 is pressed again, the mute performance is canceled. That is, every time the mute switch SW1 is pressed, the normal performance and the mute performance are alternately instructed. Further, in the initial setting of step SPa1 described above, the normal performance is designated.

If the determination in step SPa2 is "NO", that is, if the normal performance is instructed, the process proceeds to step SPa3 to rotate the motor M to the initial position. However, if these are already in the initial position, the above processing is not performed. Next, in step SPa5,
It is determined whether external output is instructed. The external output instruction is an instruction to output a MIDI signal to an external device, and the instruction is given by a predetermined switch in the panel switch unit 204 shown in FIG.

If this determination is "NO", step S
In step Pa7, it is determined whether or not recording of performance data is instructed. This instruction is given by the recording switch SW2 of the panel switch unit 204 shown in FIG. If this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step SPa2,
After that, unless there is a change in the instruction by the switch of the panel switch unit 204, steps SPa2 → SPa3 → SPa
Circulate 5 → SPa7. In this circulation process, the present embodiment functions similarly to a normal upright piano, and the strings are struck according to the key operation by the player.

Next, when the switch for instructing external output is turned on, the determination at step SPa5 becomes "YES", and the processing at step SPa6 is added. Step S
In Pa6, the MIDI interface 206 outputs a MIDI signal corresponding to the key code KC, the key-on signal KON, the key-off signal KOF and the key velocity KV supplied from the CPU 201 to the outside.

In the state where the process of step SPa6 is added, since the MIDI signal is sent to the external device, the performance of the electronic musical instrument or the like can be added to the normal performance of the upright piano. Also, an automatic accompaniment apparatus has been developed which detects chords and tones from melody information and performs automatic accompaniment based on the detected chords. Accompaniment can be automatically added to the melody performance of the piano.

On the other hand, when the recording switch SW2 shown in FIG. 7 is turned on, the determination at step SPa7 becomes "YES", and the processing at step SPa8 is added. Step S
At Pa8, performance recording processing is performed. That is, the CPU 201 performs the following processing based on the signal supplied from the sensor interface 205.

First, when a signal is obtained from the optical sensor 77, the key-on signal KON is output at the string striking timing Ht, and the key velocity KV corresponding to the string striking speed Hv is output. Then, the key-on signal KON and the key velocity K
Along with V, the key code KC of the pressed key is written as a set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. At this time, if the key-on or key-off is recorded before that, the time interval (hereinafter referred to as the duration) is also written. In the following, information on key-on or key-off will be referred to as event data.

On the other hand, the CPU 201 uses the key sensor KSE
The key-off signal KOF is output based on the signal of (1) and written in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 together with the key code KC indicating the released key. At this time, duration data indicating the interval from the event data before that is also written.

As described above, the event data is sequentially written according to the performance, and the performance data for the performance is accumulated in the predetermined area of the RAM 203.
In this way, when the processing of step SPa8 is performed, the performer can record the performance information while listening to the string striking sound of the upright piano that he or she plays. When both the switch for instructing external output and the recording switch SW2 are turned on, the performance data can be written in the RAM 203 and the performance of the upright piano can be added to that of an electronic musical instrument to enjoy the performance. .
If a performance information recording device such as a sequencer is used as the external device, MIDI signals output from the MIDI interface 206 can be recorded sequentially.

(Silent Performance Mode) On the other hand, when the mute switch SW1 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed and the determination at step SPa2 becomes "YES", the processing at step SPa4 is performed instead of step SPa3. That is, the CPU 201
The motor drive circuit 208 rotates the motor M under the control of 1. As a result, the stopper 66 rotates substantially downward. As a result, even if a key is pressed, the hammer 44 is returned immediately before striking the string, and no striking sound is generated.

In step SPa4, the tone generator circuit 2
The tone signal generation processing by 10 is instructed. As a result,
Each time an event occurs, key code KC, key-on signal KON, key velocity KV or key-off signal K
The OF is supplied to the tone generator circuit 210, and a tone signal corresponding to these is formed. Therefore, the performer uses the speaker S
You can listen to your own performance using P or headphones HH.

When there is no MIDI signal external output instruction and no performance recording instruction, step SPa2 →
By circulating SPa4 → SPa5 → SPa7 → SPa2, only the mute performance by the tone generator circuit 210 is performed. Next, when the external output of the MIDI signal is instructed in the state where the mute performance is designated, the processing of step SPa6 is performed in the same manner as in the normal performance.

By the way, at the time of mute performance, step SPa6
By performing the processing of (1), it is possible to freely use a sound source such as an external electronic musical instrument, so that a performance different from that of a piano tone can be enjoyed. If a sequencer or the like is used as the external device, performance information can be recorded in a muted state. Further, when the processing of step SPa8 is performed during the mute performance, the piano performance can be recorded without producing any sound to the outside.

B: Automatic Performance Processing (Normal Performance Mode) Next, the automatic performance processing of this embodiment will be described. The automatic performance process is performed in step S described above.
This is processing based on the performance data transferred to the predetermined area of the RAM 203 by the performance recording processing of Pa8 or the performance data transferred from the external storage device 209 to the predetermined area of the RAM 203.

First, when the reproduction switch SW3 of the panel switch section 204 is operated to instruct the start of automatic performance, the subroutine shown in FIG. 9 is started. First,
In step SPb1, various registers are initialized and the motor M is moved to the initial position, that is,
Processing for setting the position for normal performance is performed. In step SPb1, the tempo for automatic performance is set.

Next, in step SPb2, it is determined whether or not mute performance is designated. If "NO", that is, if the normal performance is instructed, the process proceeds to step SPb3 to rotate the motor M to the initial position. However, if these are already in the initial position, the process of step SPb3 is not performed. Next, step SP
Proceeding to b4, performance data is read out. Reading of performance data is performed by an interrupt processing routine. The interruption is performed by the tempo clock corresponding to the tempo, and for example, the interruption is performed 24 times per quarter note.

The reading process is a process of sequentially reading the performance data in the RAM 203 from the top data. More specifically, when the duration data is read, it is subtracted each time the tempo clock is output, and when it becomes 0, the next event data is read. Then, after that, the next duration data is read and the same operation is performed thereafter.

Next, at step SPb5, the supply / stop of the exciting current to the solenoid SOL is controlled according to the event data read at step SPb4. After that, the processing of steps SPb2 to SPb5 is circulated, whereby the solenoid S corresponding to the performance data.
The OL is driven. Therefore, the key 10 moves up and down according to the solenoid SOL, and accordingly, the string is struck. That is, the upright piano is automatically played.

(Silent performance mode) On the other hand, the silence switch S
When W1 is pressed and the mute performance is instructed, step SP
The determination in b2 is “YES”, and the processing in step SPb6 is performed. In step SPb6, CPU2
Under the control of 01, the motor drive circuit 208
To rotate. As a result, the stopper 66 rotates substantially downward, and the hammer 44 is returned immediately before striking the string even if a key is pressed.

Next, in step SPb7, performance data is read. This process is performed by the above-mentioned step SP.
This is exactly the same as the processing of b4. Then, step SPb
8, the tone signal generation process is performed by the tone generator circuit 210. As a result, every time the event data is read, the key code KC, the key-on signal KON, the key velocity KV, or the key-off signal KOF is sent to the tone generator circuit 210.
And the tone signals corresponding to these are formed.
Therefore, the performer can hear the performance at the time of the mute performance through the speaker SP or the headphones HH. In this way, the automatic performance can be heard with the electronic sound source in the muted state. In addition, a desired tone color can be selected to enjoy the replay performance.

In the upright piano having the above structure, the deflection of the support column 80b of the stay 80 changes by rotating the screw 82, and the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 changes. Therefore, the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be adjusted to adjust the position of the hammer 44 when the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time. Then, by such adjustment, the tip edge of the hammer 44 becomes the string S.
String striking timing H when the position reaches a distance L before
The hammer sensor unit 72 can be positioned so that t is detected. Further, the elastic force of the support column 80b causes the support column 80b and the hammer sensor unit 72 to come into close contact with each other, so that the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 is not displaced. As described above, in the upright piano having the above-described configuration, the hammer sensor unit 72 can be moved to a desired dimension by simply moving the screw 82, so that the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be easily adjusted.

Particularly, in the above embodiment, the hammer sensor unit 72 is supported by the elastic stay 80, and the screw 82 is used.
Since the structure is rotated to press the column 80b of the stay 80, the hammer sensor unit 72 can be finely adjusted, its positioning can be performed with high accuracy, and the structure is very simple.

Further, in the above embodiment, the screw 82 is attached so as to project from the side surface on the keyboard side of the action bracket 15 to the side surface on the opposite side, so that the hammer sensor unit 72, the string striking mechanism 20, etc. are not removed. Screw 8
The position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be adjusted by operating 2 from the keyboard side, and the work can be performed more easily. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the optical axis Q of the optical sensor 85 is arranged at a position before the distance L from the string S, and the optical axis Q
Since the adjustment mode for notifying with the buzzer sound is provided when the light-shielding timing of No. 2 and the second light-shielding timing of the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 match, the hammer sensor unit 72
The position can be adjusted more easily.

(3) Modification Although the support 80b of the stay 80 is pressed by the screw 82 in the above embodiment, a wedge member may be inserted between the support 80b and the thick portion 15a of the action bracket 15. It may be configured. Alternatively, the strut 80b may be pulled by the screw 82. Further, it is also possible to rotatably support the column 80b at its lower end and to interpose an elastic member such as a coil spring or urethane between the column and the thick portion 15a. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the position of the stay 80 is aligned with the position of the action bracket 15, but a plate whose longitudinal direction is directed to the entire length of the keyboard is installed on the action bracket 15, and the screw 82 is attached to this plate. You can also With this configuration, the stay 80 can be arranged at any position. In addition, the hammer sensor unit 72 is configured by one casing 73, but three casings are configured for each of the low sound portion, the middle high sound portion, and the high sound portion of the hammer action portion, and the hammer sensor unit for each section. The position of 72 may be adjusted.

In the above embodiment, the hammer shank 43 is used.
However, it is also possible to detect the movement of the catcher 46, for example. FIG. 10 shows such an example. The shutter 130 is attached to the end surface of the catcher 46, and the sound deadening mechanism 60 is provided.
Is arranged in the middle of the hammer assembly 40 and the string S. In this example, the stay 132 is attached to the bracket 131 attached to the hammer rail 36 or the like with the screw 1
It is attached at 33. In this example as well, the stay 132 is made of a resilient plate material, and the bracket 1
It is pressed by the tip of the screw 134 attached to 31.
Then, by protruding the tip of the screw 134 from the bracket 131, the stay 132 bends in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and as a result, the hammer sensor unit 72 attached to the tip of the stay 132 moves in the direction of arrow B in the figure. .

The upright piano as described above also has the same effect as the upright piano. Particularly, in the above modification, the catcher 4 having a relatively large space
Since the stay 132 and the like are arranged on the sixth side, there is an advantage that the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be adjusted more easily.

B. Second Embodiment (1) Configuration of Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a grand piano, and is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of a hammer action section for striking a string by transmitting the action of one key of the grand piano to a hammer. In FIG. 10, the key 321 is supported by a support frame (not shown) extending over the entire length of the keyboard, and when the key is pressed, the key 321 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure with the support frame as a fulcrum.

Next, in FIG. 10, reference numeral 307A is a support rail, and at the end of the support rail 307A, the whip pen 3 whose longitudinal direction is oriented along the key 321 is provided.
The left end of 07 is rotatably supported by a pin 307B. A substantially L-shaped jack 308 is rotatably attached to the free end of the whip pen 307 near its bent portion. The jack 308 has a jack size 308A extending diagonally upward and a jack size 3A.
It is composed of a small jack 308B substantially orthogonal to 08A.

In addition, a column 3 is provided at the center of the whip pen 307.
07C is attached, and the middle portion of the repetition lever 306 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the column 307C. A long hole 306A penetrating in the vertical direction is formed at one end of the repetition lever 306, and an upper end of a large jack 308A is inserted into the long hole 306A.

Next, reference numeral 310 in the figure denotes a shank rail. Shank rail 310 has a hammer flange 303
A hammer shank 302 having a hammer head 301 fixed to a tip end thereof is attached to an end of the hammer flange 303 so as to be vertically rotatable. A roller 305 protruding downward is rotatably attached to the base end of the hammer shank 302. The lower surface of the roller 305 has a slight gap with the upper end surface of the large jack 308A and the repetition lever 306.
Is abutted on the upper surface of.

Further, the shank rail 310 includes the regulating rail 3 extending over the entire length of the keyboard.
11 is attached. A regulating button 309 whose vertical position can be adjusted is attached to the regulating rail 311, and a felt pad 309A with which the tip of the jack 308A abuts is attached to the lower end surface of the regulating button 309.

Next, reference numeral 220 is a muffling mechanism. The muffling mechanism 220 includes a shaft 220 extending over the entire length of the keyboard.
It has B. A stopper 220A is attached to the shaft 220B, and a cushion material 220C made of synthetic leather or the like is fixed to the tip end surface of the stopper 220A. The stopper 220A is configured to be rotatable by a motor (not shown) connected to the shaft 220B, as in the first embodiment.

In the sound deadening mechanism 220 having such a structure, the hammer 220 can be brought into a normal playing state in which the normal rotation of the hammer shank 302 is permitted by orienting the stopper 220A in a substantially horizontal direction. When the shaft 220B is rotated from the state shown and the stopper 220B is directed substantially downward, the rotating hammer shank 302 comes into contact with the stopper 220A, so that the hammer shank 302 is prevented from further rotating and is in a mute playing state. be able to.

Next, the same shutter 71 as that of the first embodiment is attached to the axially intermediate portion of the hammer shank 302. On the other hand, a bracket 330 having a U-shape in a side view is attached to the upper surface of the shank rail 310. A plurality of stays 334 separated from each other in the lateral direction of the grand piano (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the drawing) are attached to the bracket 330 by screws 340. The stay 334 is the stay 80 of the first embodiment.
It is composed of the same material as.

A support plate 335 is attached to the upper end of the stay 334. The support plate 335 has a shutter 71.
A slit (not shown) is formed through which is inserted. The same optical sensor 77 as that of the first embodiment is attached to one surface of the support plate 335 for each hammer shank 302 such that the slit is sandwiched between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. On the other hand, a bracket 350 is arranged above the stay 334. A screw 351 having a tip abutting against the stay 334 is attached to the bracket 350.
The tip of the screw 351 contacts the stay 334, and the stay 33
4 is elastically bent.

Also in this embodiment, the hammer 30
An optical sensor 85 for detecting the leading edge of the No. 1 is provided.
The optical sensor 85 is for adjusting the position of the hammer 301 when the rear edge of the window 71a of the shutter 71 shields the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77, that is, when the light receiving portion is shielded for the second time. The optical axis Q is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the string S and to be separated from the string S by the distance L toward the hammer 301 side. Then, when the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, the tip edge of the hammer 301 is separated from the string S by the distance L.
The position of the hammer sensor unit 72 is adjusted to reach the front position.

(2) Operation of the Embodiment (Adjustment Mode) When the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, the hammer sensor is arranged so that the position of the tip edge of the hammer 301 is located a distance L before the string S. Adjust the position of the unit 72. At this time, the key is pressed to rotate the hammer 301 so that the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time, and at the same time, the light receiving portion of the light sensor 85 is shielded by the tip edge of the hammer 301. And in that case CP
U201 causes the sound source circuit 210 to generate a buzzer sound. Therefore, when adjusting the position of the hammer sensor unit 72, the screw 351 in contact with the stay 334 is rotated to move the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 until the buzzer sounds when the key is pressed. Position.

When the key is pressed (during normal performance), the whip pen 307 is pushed up by the capstan 320 and pivots counterclockwise about the pin 307B. As a result, the jack size 308A pushes up the roller 305 to rotate the hammer shank 302 in the clockwise direction, and the hammer head 301 moves the string S corresponding to the pressed key 321.
Hit. During this string striking operation, the hammer head 3
Before 01 hits the string S, the small jack 308B engages with the lower end surface of the regulating button 309 to rotate the jack 308 clockwise, which causes the upper end of the large jack 308A to escape to the right, and the roller. It moves to the non-contact position with 305.

Next, the hammer head 301 hitting the string S
Moves down due to the repulsive force of the string S and its own weight,
It comes into contact with the cushion 322 attached to the end of the and stands still. At that time, the roller 305 is connected to the repetition lever 3
It is accommodated in the long hole 306A of 06. Next, when the key is released, the whip pen 307 turns clockwise and the hammer shank 30
2 rotates counterclockwise. Along with this, the engagement state between the small jack 308B and the regulating button 309 is gradually released, and the large jack 308A rotates counterclockwise to move directly below the roller 305 to the initial position before key depression. Return to.

In the above operation, the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv of the hammer 301 are detected as follows. That is, immediately before the hammer 301 strikes the string S, the shutter 71 attached to the hammer shank 302 is inserted into the slit of the support plate 335, and the leading edge of the shutter 71 crosses the optical axis P of the optical sensor 77. As a result, the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded from light, and the light shielding timing is detected by the controller (not shown). After that, the hammer shank 302 further rotates, and the window 71 of the shutter 71 is
a crosses the optical axis P, and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is again in the light receiving state.

Then, the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded again, and the timing of the shielding is detected by the controller. At that time, the tip edge of the hammer 301 is a distance L from the string S.
You have reached the position in front. Thus, 2 of the optical sensor 77
The light-blocking timing of the second time is detected, the second light-blocking timing is output as the string striking timing Ht, and the string-striking speed Hv is calculated and output from the time between the second light-blocking timing. This string striking timing Ht and string striking speed Hv
Is recorded in the RAM 203 or the external storage device 209 as performance information together with the key code indicating the pressed key 321 and the time data indicating the generation timing of the data, or is output to the outside via the MIDI interface 206. ing.

In this embodiment, the performance recording process and the automatic performance process are performed according to the flow charts shown in FIGS. Also in this embodiment, the key release timing is detected by the key sensor as in the conventional case, and is recorded in the memory as performance information together with the key code indicating the released key 321 and the time data indicating the key release timing. It has become so.

(During mute playing) Next, in order to enter the mute playing state, first, the stopper 220A is rotated from the substantially horizontal state of FIG. 10 and is directed substantially downward as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure. When a key is pressed in this state, the whip pen 307 is pushed up by the capstan 320 and the pin 307B is pushed.
Rotate counterclockwise around. As a result, the jack-large 308A pushes up the roller 305 to rotate the hammer shank 302 in the clockwise direction. Next, when the small jack 308B comes into contact with the regulating button 309A, the upper end surface of the large jack 308A escapes from the lower surface of the roller 305 to the right in the figure. During that time, the hammer shank 302 continues to rotate due to inertial force, but immediately before hitting the string S, the hammer shank 302 contacts the stopper 220A and is rebounded in the counterclockwise direction. After that, the returning operation of the hammer shank 302 and the like is the same as that in the normal performance.

In the case of mute performance, the hammer 301 is the string S.
Although it is bounced immediately before hitting, the tip edge of the shutter 71 and the window 71a pass through the optical axis P of the optical sensor 77, as in the case of normal performance. As a result, the controller
The string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv are detected in exactly the same manner as described above. In this case, when the string striking timing Ht is detected, the tip edge of the hammer 301 reaches a position a distance L before the string S. Then, the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv are supplied to a tone generator circuit (not shown) together with a key code indicating the operated key, whereby a tone signal corresponding to the key operation is emitted. The processing in this case is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, the performer can listen to his / her performance through headphones or the like, and even in this case, the musical tone signal generated by the sound source is
If the musical tone waveform of the grand piano is set in the same manner, the performer can hear the musical tone similar to that in the normal performance through the headphones.

Further, also in the case of the mute performance, as in the case of the normal performance, the string striking timing Ht and the string striking speed Hv.
The key release timing is stored in the RAM 203 or the external storage device 209 as performance information together with the key code and time data, or is output to the outside through the MIDI interface 206.
As a result, the performance can be recorded or the external device can be controlled not only in the normal performance but also in the mute performance.

Also in the grand piano having the above structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, screw 3
By rotating 51, the deflection of the stay 334 changes, and the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 changes. Therefore, the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be adjusted to adjust the position of the hammer 301 when the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 77 is shielded for the second time. Then, by the adjustment, the tip edge of the hammer 301 is separated from the string S by the distance L.
The hammer sensor 72 can be positioned so that the string striking timing Ht is detected when reaching the front position. Further, since the stay 334 and the screw 351 are brought into close contact with each other by the elastic force of the stay 334, the hammer sensor unit 7
There will be no deviation in the position of 2. As described above, in the grand piano having the above configuration, the screw 351
Since the hammer sensor unit 72 can be moved to a desired size simply by moving, the position of the hammer sensor unit 72 can be easily adjusted with high accuracy.

C. MODIFIED EXAMPLE By the way, the above-mentioned embodiment applies the present invention to a keyboard musical instrument having a mute function and an automatic playing function, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a keyboard instrument having only one of the above functions or a keyboard instrument having no such function. Further, the present invention can be applied to all keyboard musical instruments such as harpsichords, celestas, and organs in addition to pianos. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses the present invention to adjust the position of the hammer when detecting the string striking timing Ht, the present invention is not limited to such an application.

In addition, the sensor is not limited to the above-mentioned optical sensor, and its type is arbitrary, but in order to prevent the movement of the key or the hammer from being restricted, a non-contact type sensor such as an optical sensor is desirable. Further, the optical sensor is not limited to the one using the above-mentioned optical fiber, and the type thereof is arbitrary, and a photo interrupter or the like in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are opposed to each other with a constant gap may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the stay is pressed by the screw, but the casing 73 (first embodiment) or the support plate 33 is used.
5 (second embodiment) may be configured to be pressed or pulled.

[0094]

As described above, in the keyboard musical instrument of the present invention, the position of the sensor unit can be easily adjusted, and further, the sensor unit can be positioned with high accuracy without displacement. The effect is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an action portion of an upright piano according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing details of a sound deadening mechanism in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a hammer sensor unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of a hammer sensor unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a hammer sensor unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the lower structure of the keyboard.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an upright piano which is a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing the action portion of the grand piano of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Key, 15 ... Center rail (frame), 40 ...
Hammer assembly (hammer mechanism), 43 ... Hammer shank, 44 ... Hammer, 71 ... Shutter, 72 ... Hammer sensor unit (sensor unit), 77 ... Optical sensor, 8
0 ... Stay (elastic member), 82 ... Screw (moving means), S
…string.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key, a hammer mechanism that pivots to strike a corresponding string when the key is pressed, and a hammer mechanism of the hammer mechanism at a predetermined position before the hammer of the hammer mechanism strikes the string. In a keyboard instrument including a sensor unit including a plurality of sensors for detecting a predetermined location and a frame supporting the sensor unit, the sensor unit is supported by the frame via an elastic member, and the sensor unit and the elastic member are provided. In the direction in which the sensor unit is moved toward or away from the hammer mechanism by keeping the elastic member elastically deformed by contacting with or engaging with at least one of the two. A keyboard instrument having a moving means for moving the keyboard instrument. 2. The elastic member is configured by a flexibly deformable strut having one end supported by the frame and the other end supporting the sensor unit, and the moving means is screwed to the frame. The keyboard instrument according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the keyboard instrument is a screw member that presses the sensor unit or the support.