WO2018131598A1

WO2018131598A1 - Keyboard device

Info

Publication number: WO2018131598A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/000319
Authority: WO
Inventors: 俊介市来; 聡斗大庭
Original assignee: ヤマハ株式会社
Priority date: 2017-01-13
Filing date: 2018-01-10
Publication date: 2018-07-19
Also published as: JP2018112708A

Abstract

A keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with: keys; a frame; and flexible parts for pivoting the keys relative to the frame, the flexible parts each having a lengthwise direction and comprising regions in which, in a cross-section orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the flexible part, both the length in a first direction that is orthogonal to the scale direction and the length in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction continuously increase the closer the cross-section is to both ends of the flexible part.

Description

Keyboard device

The present invention relates to a keyboard device.

As an example of a structure for rotating a key in an electronic keyboard device, there is a structure in which flexible thin plates are horizontally arranged (for example, Patent Document 1). By bending and deforming the thin plate, the key can be rotated in the vertical direction. Patent Document 1 also discloses a structure that allows a movement in the key arrangement direction by using a thin plate arranged vertically and connecting in series to a thin plate arranged horizontally. ing.

JP 2008-191650 A

It is desired to reproduce the touch feeling of keys on an acoustic piano with an electronic keyboard instrument. The touch feeling refers to a predetermined feeling given to the performer's finger through the key when the key is pressed. The touch feeling obtained with an acoustic piano is realized by a combination of various elements such as the action of an action mechanism. According to the structure disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the thin plate arranged horizontally can be bent and deformed at any position in the key extending direction. Therefore, when the rear end portion of the key is strongly pressed, for example, bending in opposite directions occurs at two positions. As a result of such deformation, a situation may occur in which the rear end of the key sinks as the key rotates. On the other hand, in an acoustic piano, it does not occur that the rear end portion (portion close to the balance pin) of the key is depressed by any key depression. This difference in key movement is one of the factors that makes it impossible to obtain the touch feeling obtained with an acoustic piano with an electronic keyboard instrument.

One of the objects of the present invention is to realize a touch feeling close to that of an acoustic piano by a structure different from that of an acoustic piano.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a key, a frame, and a flexible part for rotating the key with respect to the frame have a longitudinal direction and are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the flexible part A flexible portion having a region in which both the length in the first direction orthogonal to the scale direction and the length in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction continuously increase toward the end, There is provided a keyboard device characterized by comprising:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a key, a frame, and a flexible part for rotating the key with respect to the frame have a longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal direction of the flexible part In the cross section perpendicular to the scale direction has a region that continuously increases as the length in the first direction perpendicular to the scale direction approaches both ends, and a flexible portion having a position where the length is the smallest in the region, There is provided a keyboard device characterized by comprising:

The support portion may further include a support portion that supports an end side from the region of the flexible portion and that has a recess disposed on a side along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

The longitudinal direction may be closer to the front-rear direction of the key than the key pressing direction.

The longitudinal direction is closer to the key pressing direction than the front-back direction of the key

The flexible portion may have an outer edge including a curve in the cross section.

The flexible portion may have an outer edge including a corner in the cross section.

The length in the first direction of the cross section may be the same as the length in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

The length of the cross section in the first direction may be shorter than the length of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

According to the present invention, a touch feeling close to that of an acoustic piano can be realized by a structure different from that of an acoustic piano.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the keyboard apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sound source device in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of seeing the structure inside the housing | casing in 1st Embodiment from the side surface. It is explanatory drawing at the time of seeing the keyboard assembly in 1st Embodiment from the upper surface. It is explanatory drawing at the time of seeing the part to which a rotation part is connected among the frames in 1st Embodiment from the upper surface. It is a figure explaining the detailed structure of the white key in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rotation part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the method of removing the rotation part in 1st Embodiment from another member. It is a figure explaining the structure after removing the rotation part in 1st Embodiment from another member. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rod-shaped flexible member in 1st Embodiment, a key side support part, and a frame side support part. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the key side support part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the frame side support part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the key assembly when the key (white key) in 1st Embodiment is pressed down. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rotation part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rotation part in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in a modification (1). It is a figure explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in a modification (2).

Hereinafter, a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments. Note that in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same portion or a portion having a similar function is denoted by the same reference symbol or a similar reference symbol (a reference symbol simply including A, B, etc. after a number) and repeated. The description of may be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings (the ratios between the components, the ratios in the vertical and horizontal height directions, etc.) may be different from the actual ratios for convenience of explanation, or some of the configurations may be omitted from the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration of keyboard device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard device according to the first embodiment. In this example, the keyboard device 1 is an electronic keyboard instrument that emits sound in response to a user (player) key depression such as an electronic piano. Note that the keyboard device 1 may be a keyboard-type controller that outputs control data (for example, MIDI) for controlling an external sound source device in response to a key depression. In this case, the keyboard device 1 may not have a sound source device.

The keyboard device 1 includes a keyboard assembly 10. The keyboard assembly 10 includes a white key 100w and a black key 100b. A plurality of white keys 100w and black keys 100b are arranged side by side. The number of keys 100 is N, which is 88 in this example, but is not limited to this number. The direction in which the keys 100 are arranged is called the scale direction. When the white key 100w and the black key 100b can be described without particular distinction, the key 100 may be referred to. Also in the following description, a configuration with “w” at the end of the reference sign means a configuration corresponding to a white key. Further, the configuration with “b” at the end of the reference sign means that the configuration corresponds to the black key.

A part of the keyboard assembly 10 exists inside the housing 90. When the keyboard device 1 is viewed from above, a portion of the keyboard assembly 10 covered by the casing 90 is referred to as a non-appearance portion NV, and a portion exposed from the casing 90 and visible to the user is referred to as an appearance portion PV. . That is, the appearance part PV is a part of the key 100 and indicates an area where the user can perform a performance operation. Hereinafter, a portion of the key 100 that is exposed by the appearance portion PV may be referred to as a key body portion.

Inside the housing 90, a sound source device 70 and a speaker 80 are arranged. The tone generator 70 generates a sound waveform signal when the key 100 is pressed. The speaker 80 outputs the sound waveform signal generated in the sound source device 70 to an external space. The keyboard device 1 may be provided with a slider for controlling the volume, a switch for switching timbres, a display for displaying various information, and the like.

In the description of the present specification, directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back indicate directions when the keyboard device 1 is viewed from the performer when performing. Therefore, for example, the non-appearance part NV can be expressed as being located on the back side with respect to the appearance part PV. Further, the direction may be indicated with the key 100 as a reference, such as the front end side (key front side) and the rear end side (key rear side). In this case, the front end side of the key indicates the front side of the key 100 as viewed from the performer. The rear end side of the key indicates the back side of the key 100 as viewed from the performer. According to this definition, the black key 100b can be expressed as a portion protruding upward from the white key 100w from the front end to the rear end of the key body of the black key 100b.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the sound source device according to the first embodiment. The sound source device 70 includes a signal conversion unit 710, a sound source unit 730, and an output unit 750. The sensor 300 is provided corresponding to each key 100, detects a key operation, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected content. In this example, the sensor 300 outputs a signal according to the key depression amount in three stages. The key pressing speed can be detected according to the interval of this signal.

The signal conversion unit 710 acquires the output signal of the sensor 300 (sensors 300-1, 300-2,..., 300-88 corresponding to the 88 key 100), and operates according to the operation state of each key 100. Generate and output a signal. In this example, the operation signal is a MIDI signal. Therefore, the signal conversion unit 710 outputs note-on according to the key pressing operation. At this time, the key number indicating which of the 88 keys 100 has been operated and the velocity corresponding to the key pressing speed are also output in association with the note-on. On the other hand, in response to the key release operation, the signal conversion unit 710 outputs the key number and note-off in association with each other. A signal corresponding to another operation such as a pedal may be input to the signal conversion unit 710 and reflected in the operation signal.

The sound source unit 730 generates a sound waveform signal based on the operation signal output from the signal conversion unit 710. The output unit 750 outputs the sound waveform signal generated by the sound source unit 730. This sound waveform signal is output to, for example, the speaker 80 or the sound waveform signal output terminal.

[Configuration of keyboard assembly]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the configuration inside the housing in the first embodiment is viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard assembly 10 and the speaker 80 are arranged inside the housing 90. That is, the housing 90 covers at least a part of the keyboard assembly 10 (the connection portion 180 and the frame 500) and the speaker 80. The speaker 80 is disposed on the back side of the keyboard assembly 10. The speaker 80 is arranged so as to output a sound corresponding to the key depression toward the upper side and the lower side of the housing 90. The sound output downward advances from the lower surface side of the housing 90 to the outside. On the other hand, the sound output upward passes through the space inside the keyboard assembly 10 from the inside of the housing 90, and is externally transmitted from the gap between the adjacent keys 100 in the exterior portion PV or the gap between the key 100 and the housing 90. Proceed to The sound path from the speaker 80 is exemplified as the path SR. Thus, the sound from the speaker 80 reaches the space inside the keyboard assembly 10, that is, the space below the key 100 (key body portion).

The configuration of the keyboard assembly 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The keyboard assembly 10 includes a connection portion 180, a hammer assembly 200, and a frame 500 in addition to the key 100 described above. The keyboard assembly 10 is a resin-made structure whose most configuration is manufactured by injection molding or the like. The frame 500 is fixed to the housing 90. The connection unit 180 connects the key 100 so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame 500. The connection part 180 includes a plate-like flexible member 181, a first support part 183, and a rotation part 185. As described above, the connection portion 180 may include a member that moves integrally with the key 100, and may further include a member that moves integrally with the frame 500. The plate-like flexible member 181 extends from the rear end of the key 100. The first support portion 183 extends from the rear end of the plate-like flexible member 181.

The rotation unit 185 includes a rod-shaped flexible member 1850, a key side support unit 1851, and a frame side support unit 1852. The key side support portion 1851 and the frame side support portion 1852 support both ends of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the key-side support portion 1851 is connected to a member (first support portion 183) whose positional relationship is fixed with respect to the key 100, and a member (a support plate 18511 described later) that extends downward from this member. ) And supports the front side of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850. On the other hand, the frame side support portion 1852 and the back side of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 are supported. That is, the frame-side support portion 1852 is disposed on the front end side of the key 100 with respect to the key-side support portion 1851. Accordingly, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is disposed below the key 100, that is, on the frame 500 side. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction (stretching direction) of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 may be referred to as a main axis direction.

The rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has flexibility in a direction perpendicular to the main axis direction. On the other hand, the key-side support portion 1851 and the frame-side support portion 1852 are made of the same material as the rod-like flexible member 1850, but have a shape that is more rigid than the rod-like flexible member 1850. The positional relationship between the key-side support portion 1851 and the frame-side support portion 1852 changes according to the bending deformation of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850. In this example, the main axis direction of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is substantially along the front-rear direction of the key 100. Therefore, by bending the bar-shaped flexible member 1850 in the vertical direction, the key side support portion 1851 moves upward with respect to the frame side support portion 1852, and the key 100 can rotate with respect to the frame 500 (see FIG. 14). The detailed configuration of the rotation unit 185 will be described later.

Rotating part 185 is supported by first support part 183 and second support part 585 of frame 500. At this time, the first support portion 183 and the key side support portion 1851 are detachably connected, and the second support portion 585 and the frame side support portion 1852 are detachably connected. By making it detachable, the ease of manufacturing is improved (ease of designing the mold, facilitating assembly work, facilitating repair work, etc.) and the touch feeling and strength due to the combination of each material. Or improve.

The plate-like flexible member 181 and the first support portion 183 may be formed integrally with the key 100 and may be the same material. The frame 500 is also made of the same material as that of the plate-like flexible member 181, but may contain a different material at least partially. On the other hand, the rotating portion 185 (rod-like flexible member 1850) and the plate-like flexible member 181 are different materials, but may be the same material. In this example, the plate-like flexible member 181 is harder than the rod-like flexible member 1850.

According to these configurations, it can be said that the plate-like flexible member 181 and the rod-like flexible member 1850 connected in series are arranged between the key 100 and the frame 500. Furthermore, in other words, the plate-like flexible member 181 is disposed between the key 100 and the rod-like flexible member 1850. Further, a rod-like flexible member 1850 is disposed between the plate-like flexible member 181 and the frame 500.

The key 100 includes a front end key guide 151 and a side key guide 153. The front end key guide 151 is slidably in contact with the front end frame guide 511 of the frame 500. The front end key guide 151 is in contact with the front end frame guide 511 on both sides of the upper and lower scale directions. Of the front end key guide 151, the upper part corresponds to the upper key guide 151u, and the lower part corresponds to the lower key guide 151d (see FIG. 6). The side key guide 153 is slidably in contact with the side frame guide 513 on both sides in the scale direction. In this example, the side key guide 153 is disposed in a region corresponding to the non-appearance portion NV on the side surface of the key 100, and exists on the key front end side with respect to the connection portion 180 (plate-like flexible member 181). You may arrange | position to the area | region corresponding to the external appearance part PV.

The hammer assembly 200 is disposed in a space below the key 100 and is rotatably attached to the frame 500. At this time, the bearing portion 220 of the hammer assembly 200 and the rotating shaft 520 of the frame 500 are slidably contacted at least at three points. The front end portion 210 of the hammer assembly 200 contacts the inner space of the hammer support portion 120 so as to be slidable substantially in the front-rear direction. The sliding portion, that is, the portion where the front end portion 210 and the hammer support portion 120 are in contact is located below the key 100 in the appearance portion PV (frontward from the rear end of the key body portion).

In the hammer assembly 200, a metal weight 230 is disposed on the back side of the rotation shaft 520. In a normal state (when the key is not pressed), the weight portion 230 is placed on the lower stopper 410, and the front end portion 210 of the hammer assembly 200 pushes the key 100 back. When the key is depressed, the weight portion 230 moves upward and collides with the upper stopper 430. The hammer assembly 200 applies weight to the key depression by the weight portion 230. The lower stopper 410 and the upper stopper 430 are formed of a buffer material or the like (nonwoven fabric, elastic body, etc.).

The sensor 300 is attached to the frame 500 below the hammer support portion 120 and the front end portion 210. When the front end 210 deforms the sensor 300 on the lower surface side by pressing the key, the sensor 300 outputs a detection signal. As described above, the sensor 300 is provided corresponding to each key 100.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the keyboard assembly in the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a portion of the frame according to the first embodiment to which the rotating portion is connected as viewed from above. In these drawings, the configurations of the hammer assembly 200 and the frame 500 located below the key 100 are not shown. Specifically, the configuration of the frame 500 in the vicinity of the connection portion 180 (such as the second support portion 585) is described, and a part of the configuration on the near side is omitted. In other descriptions, some descriptions may be omitted in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the 1st support part 183b is arrange | positioned in the back | inner side rather than the 1st support part 183w. This position is related to the position of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 that becomes the rotation center of the key 100. By arranging in this way, the difference between the rotation center of the white key and the black key of the acoustic piano is reproduced. In this example, the plate-like flexible member 181b corresponding to the black key is longer than the plate-like flexible member 181w corresponding to the white key. Corresponding to such an arrangement, the second support portion 585b of the frame 500 is arranged on the back side of the second support portion 585w. Therefore, the shape of the back side (second support portion 585) of the frame 500 is a shape in which the second support portion 585b protrudes from the second support portion 585w as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, the description of the rotating part 185 is omitted, but there is a large space between the adjacent rotating parts 185, particularly between the adjacent bar-shaped flexible members 1850. This space corresponds to the sound paths AP1 and AP2 shown in FIG. The sound output from the speaker 80 reaches the inside from the outside of the keyboard assembly 10 through the sound paths AP1 and AP2, and is emitted to the outside of the keyboard device 1 through the gap between the adjacent keys 100. Due to the presence of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 in the path until the sound is emitted from the appearance portion PV, the frame 500 (second support portion 585) and the connection portion 180 (first support portion 183) are provided. Since there are few elements that block the passage of sound between them, the amount of sound attenuation can be suppressed. Further, since the second support portion 585b has a shape protruding from the second support portion 585w, the portion where the

second support portions

585w and 585b are adjacent to each other than the sound path AP1 where the second support portion 585w is adjacent. The width of the sound path AP2 is increased. Furthermore, an opening 586 may be disposed on the front side of the second support portion 585b in the scale direction of the second support portion 585w. In this case, the opening 586 can also be a sound path.

The support column 590 is a member for connecting to the housing 90 and fixing the position of the frame 500 with respect to the housing 90. The strut 590 is between the adjacent portions of the white key 100w in the non-appearance part NV, that is, between the white key 100w of “E” and the white key 100w of “F”, and between the white key 100w of “B” and “C ”And the white key 100w.

[Structure of white key]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the white key in the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a view of the white key as viewed from above. FIG. 6B shows the white key as viewed from the side (left side). FIG. 6C is a view of the white key as viewed from the back side. FIG. 6D is a view of the white key as viewed from the front side.

First, the directions (scale direction S, rolling direction R, yawing direction Y, vertical direction V, front-rear direction F) used in the following description are defined. As described above, the scale direction S corresponds to the direction in which the keys 100 are arranged (the left-right direction as viewed from the performer). The rolling direction R corresponds to the direction of rotation about the direction in which the key 100 extends (from the front to the back as viewed from the performer). The yawing direction Y is a direction that bends in the left-right direction when the key 100 is viewed from above. Although the difference between the scale direction S and the yawing direction Y is not large, the movement of the key 100 in the scale direction S means the parallel movement, whereas the movement of the key 100 in the yawing direction Y bends in the scale direction S ( Equivalent to warping). The up-down direction V corresponds to the up-down direction seen from the performer, and can be said to be a direction that becomes the axis of bending in the yawing direction Y. The front-rear direction F corresponds to the direction in which the key 100 extends (from the front to the back as viewed from the performer), and can be said to be the direction serving as the axis of rotation in the rolling direction R. Note that the front-rear direction F is a direction (direction included in the horizontal plane) orthogonal to both the vertical direction V and the scale direction S, and strictly speaking, is different from the direction in which the key 100 extends at the rest position, but substantially coincides with it. It is. In this example, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 extends along the front-rear direction F. That is, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has a main axis along the front-rear direction F.

The key 100 is provided with a front end key guide 151 and a side key guide 153. As described above, the front end key guide 151 contacts the front end frame guide 511 (see FIG. 3) of the frame 500 at the upper part and the lower part thereof. Therefore, the front end key guide 151 is actually divided into an upper key guide 151u and a lower key guide 151d. In this way, the front end key guide 151 (upper key guide 151u, lower key guide 151d) and side key guide 153 move the key 100 at three locations that are not aligned on a straight line when the key 100 is viewed in the scale direction S. Is regulated. According to at least three guides arranged in this way, movement of the key 100 is restricted in the scale direction S, the yawing direction Y, and the rolling direction R. The number of guides may be three or more. In this case, the requirement that they are not arranged on a straight line need not be applied to all guides, and this requirement may be applied to at least three guides.

The plate-like flexible member 181 is a plate-like member having flexibility with respect to the scale direction S. In the plate-like flexible member 181, the normal direction N of the plate surface is arranged along the scale direction S. Accordingly, the plate-like flexible member 181 can be deformed in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y by being bent or twisted. That is, the plate-like flexible member 181 has a degree of freedom in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y of the key 100 due to its flexibility. It can be said that the plate-like flexible member 181 also has a degree of freedom in the scale direction S by combining deformations in the yawing direction Y at a plurality of portions (a state having an inflection point). On the other hand, the plate-like flexible member 181 hardly deforms in the vertical direction. Note that the normal direction N may not completely coincide with the scale direction S, and only needs to have a component in the scale direction S. If they do not match, the angle formed by the normal direction N and the scale direction S is preferably as small as possible.

The rod-like flexible member 1850 is a member having flexibility in a direction perpendicular to the main axis. In other words, the bar-shaped flexible member 1850 is flexible in the vertical direction V (in this plane having the scale direction S as a normal line (pitch direction: rotation direction at the time of key pressing)). And a rod-like member having flexibility in the scale direction S (flexibility in the yawing direction Y and being able to bend along the scale direction S). The rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be deformed in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y by bending or twisting. That is, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has a degree of freedom in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y of the key 100 due to its flexibility. It can be said that the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 also has a degree of freedom in the scale direction S by combining deformations in the yawing direction Y at a plurality of portions (a state having an inflection point). On the other hand, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 hardly deforms in the main axis direction, that is, the front-rear direction F. Note that the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be twisted more than the plate-shaped flexible member 181 because of its shape characteristics.

As described above, the connecting portion 180 is hardly displaced in the front-rear direction F with respect to a strong force called key depression behind the side key guide 153 (rear side) (the movement of the center of rotation in the front-rear direction is small). Hardly occurs). Further, depending on the key depression, the structure is such that a force along the vertical direction V is not easily applied to the rotating portion 185. Therefore, the connecting portion 180 can rotate the key 100 in the pitch direction with respect to the frame 500 while causing little displacement of the rotation center in the front-rear direction F and the vertical direction V. At this time, the connecting portion 180 can be deformed with respect to the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y. That is, the connecting portion 180 can be deformed in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y as well as rotating the key 100 with respect to the frame 500. The connecting portion 180 has a structure in which movement in the front-rear direction F is restricted (a force to move in the up-down direction V is not easily applied), but has a degree of freedom with respect to the rolling direction R and yawing direction Y of the key 100. ing. As described above, combining deformation in the yawing direction Y at a plurality of portions (with an inflection point), deformation in the yawing direction Y at a plurality of portions, and deformation in the rolling direction R at a plurality of portions. It can be said that the connecting portion 180 also has a degree of freedom in the scale direction S by combining or combining deformation in the rolling direction R at a plurality of portions.

As described above, the key 100 may be deformed including the yawing direction Y and the rolling direction R due to manufacturing errors and changes with time. At this time, between the front end key guide 151 and the side key guide 153, the influence by the deformation of the key 100 is not visually recognized as much as possible in the appearance portion PV by the restriction by these guides. On the other hand, since the influence of deformation is suppressed in the appearance part PV, the non-appearance part NV is greatly affected by the deformation. This is more noticeable as the key 100 is longer.

For example, as a first example, it is assumed that there is a deformation (deformation in the rolling direction R) in which the key 100 is gradually twisted. In this case, the upper key guide 151u and the lower key guide 151d regulate the direction of the front end portion of the key 100 in the rolling direction R so that the key 100 is deformed in the rolling direction R toward the back side. Will be affected. As a second example, it is assumed that there is a deformation (deformation in the yawing direction Y) such that the key 100 gradually bends in the scale direction S. In this case, since the position in the scale direction S of the key 100 in the appearance portion PV is regulated by the front end key guide 151 and the side key guide 153, the key 100 is affected by deformation in the yawing direction Y as it goes to the back side. .

In either case, due to the deformation of the key 100, the position of the frame 500 and the portion serving as the rotation center of the key 100 is shifted. That is, the positional relationship between the connection portion 180 (first support portion 183) connected to the key 100 and the second support portion 585 changes.

On the other hand, in the case of the key 100 in the first embodiment, the plate-like flexible member 181 and the rod-like flexible member 1850 can be deformed by flexibility. That is, even if the position of the key 100 and the second support portion 585 is displaced, the connecting portion 180 (the plate-like flexible member 181 and the rod-like flexible member 1850) is deformed by its own deformation. 2 support part 585 can be connected. At this time, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has the following two functions simultaneously. First, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be bent and deformed in the vertical direction while causing little displacement in the front-rear direction with respect to the key depression (the movement of the rotation center in the front-rear direction hardly occurs). As a result, it has a function as a member (flexible portion) for rotating the key 100 in the pitch direction. Second, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 also has a function as a member that absorbs the influence of the deformation of the key 100 due to its deformation.

As described above, since the influence of the deformation of the key 100 is not visually recognized as much as possible in the appearance portion PV, the positional accuracy in the scale direction S is also high. Therefore, the front end portion 210 of the hammer assembly 200 detected by the sensor 300 and the hammer support portion 120 of the key 100 connected to the front end portion 210 are arranged from the appearance portion PV (from the rear end of the key body portion). It is desirable to be provided below the front key 100.

[Configuration of rotating part]
In this example, the rotation part 185 is detachable from the first support part 183 and the second support part 585. The configuration of the rotation unit 185 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the structure of the rotating part in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connecting portion 180 in FIG. Moreover, the structure which exists in the inside of the 1st support part 183 and the 2nd support part 585 among the rotation parts 185 is also shown as the continuous line. On the other hand, the space formed inside the first support portion 183 and the second support portion 585 is indicated by a broken line.

The first support portion 183 has a first space 183S1 and a second space 183S2 penetrating in the vertical direction inside. The second space 183S2 is connected to the third space 183S3 on the rear end side. A locking bar 1855 is disposed in the first space 183S1, and a support bar 1853 is disposed in the second space 183S2. The support bar 1853 is inserted into the second space 183S2 from below. The locking rod 1855 is inserted into the first space 183S1 from below. The locking rod 1855 has a locking portion 18551 at the top. A locking portion 18551 protrudes upward from the first space 183S1. The locking rod 1855 is locked when the locking portion 18551 is hooked on the upper surface of the first support portion 183, and does not come out of the first support portion 183 within a range in which the key 100 rotates. Note that the locking rod 1855 has flexibility. At this time, the locking rod 1855 may be disposed in the first space 183S1 in a state of being bent toward the support rod 1853 side (back side). When the locking rod 1855 is bent and moved to the support rod 1853 side by pushing the locking portion 18551 toward the support rod 1853, the locking to the first support portion 183 by the locking rod 1855 is released.

The support bar 1853 and the locking bar 1855 are connected to the base 1857. The pedestal 1857 is a plate-like member disposed along the lower surface of the first support portion 183. In this example, a reinforcing plate 1859 is provided to prevent the positional relationship between the support bar 1853 and the base 1857 from changing. The reinforcing plate 1859 is a plate-like member that extends perpendicularly to the surface on which the pedestal 1857 expands, and a part of the reinforcing plate 1859 is also disposed in the third space 183S3. While the pedestal 1857 is in contact with the first support portion 183, the key side support portion 1851 is connected to the back side of the region in contact with the first support portion 183. Therefore, the portion that is not in contact with the first support portion 183 on the back side of the pedestal 1857 is likely to receive a force in a bending direction when the key is pressed. The presence of the reinforcing plate 1859 can suppress the deformation of the base 1857 due to this force.

The pedestal 1857 includes a key-side support portion 1851 on a surface (lower surface) opposite to the surface (upper surface) on which the support rod 1853 and the locking rod 1855 are arranged. The key-side support portion 1851 is indirectly connected to the key 100 and extends downward (on the frame 500 side) with respect to a member (first support portion 183) whose positional relationship is fixed to the key 100. In other words, the key-side support portion 1851 has a fixed positional relationship with respect to the key 100, and the frame 500 side (more specifically, the second support portion 585 side) than the key 100 (more specifically, the first support portion 183). Is arranged.

The second support portion 585 is formed with a first space 585S1 and a second space 585S2 penetrating in the vertical direction inside. A locking rod 1856 is disposed in the first space 585S1, and a support rod 1854 is disposed in the second space 585S2. The support bar 1854 is inserted into the second space 585S2 from above. The locking bar 1856 is inserted into the first space 585S1 from above. The locking rod 1856 has a locking portion 18561 at the top. A locking portion 18561 protrudes downward from the first space 585S1. The locking rod 1856 is locked when the locking portion 18561 is hooked on the lower surface of the second support portion 585, and does not come out of the second support portion 585 in the range in which the key 100 rotates. Note that the locking rod 1856 has flexibility. At this time, the locking rod 1856 may be disposed in the first space 585S1 in a state bent toward the support rod 1854 side (back side). When the locking rod 1856 is bent and moved to the support rod 1854 side by pushing the locking portion 18561 toward the support rod 1854, the locking to the second support portion 585 by the locking rod 1856 is released.

The support bar 1854 and the locking bar 1856 are connected to the pedestal 1858. The pedestal 1858 is a plate-like member disposed along the upper surface of the second support portion 585. The pedestal 1858 includes a frame-side support portion 1852 on a surface (upper surface) opposite to a surface (lower surface) on which the support rod 1854 and the locking rod 1856 are arranged. The frame side support portion 1852 is indirectly connected to the frame 500 and extends upward (to the key 100 side) with respect to the frame 500. In other words, the frame-side support portion 1852 is fixed in position relative to the frame 500, and is more on the key 100 side (more specifically, on the first support portion 183 side) than the frame 500 (more specifically, the second support portion 585). Is arranged.

As described above, both ends of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 are connected to the key side support portion 1851 and the frame side support portion 1852. Detailed configurations of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850, the key side support portion 1851, and the frame side support portion 1852 will be described later. In this example, the key-side support portion 1851 and the frame-side support portion 1852 are arranged to face each other, so that the longitudinal direction (main axis direction) of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is arranged along the front-rear direction F. Is done. Further, the frame side support portion 1852 is disposed on the front end side (front side) of the key 100 with respect to the key side support portion 1851.

The key-side interference unit 18571 is connected to the base 1857 at a position facing the frame-side support unit 1852. The key-side interference unit 18571 is disposed with a positional relationship fixed to the key-side support unit 1851 via the pedestal 1857. When the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is bent in the vertical direction, the key side interference portion 18571 and the frame side support portion 1852 come into contact with each other. The key-side interference part 18571 and the frame-side support part 1852 are separated to the extent that they do not come into contact with each other in a range where the rod-like flexible member 1850 is bent when the key 100 is pressed. That is, the positional relationship is determined so that the key side interference portion 18571 and the frame side support portion 1852 are in contact with each other outside the movable range of the key 100 and within the flexible range of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850.

[How to attach and detach the rotating part]
Next, a method for removing the rotating part 185 from the first support part 183 and the second support part 585 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of removing the rotating portion from the other members in the first embodiment. A method of removing the rotating part 185 from the first support part 183 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the structure after the rotating portion in the first embodiment is removed from other members. More specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an intermediate stage when the rotating unit 185 is removed from the first support unit 183 and the second support unit 585. FIG. 9A is a view when the rotating portion 185 is completely removed from the first support portion 183 and the second support portion 585. 9B and 9C, a perspective view of the rotating portion 185 viewed from another direction is also described for reference.

When a force is applied to the locking portion 18551 toward the support rod 1853 side, the locking rod 1855 having flexibility is bent so that the locking portion 18551 moves to a position where it can pass through the first space 183S1. . And if the 1st support part 183 is moved upwards with respect to the rotation part 185, as shown in FIG. 8, the latching | locking part 18551 will pass the inside of 1st space 183S1. When the first support portion 183 is further moved upward, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first support portion 183 and the rotating portion 185 are separated, and the shape of the locking rod 1855 is restored.

On the other hand, when attaching the rotating portion 185 to the first support portion 183, the support rod 1853 is inserted into the second space 183S2 from below, and the locking portion 18551 is inserted into the first space 183S1 from below, The support part 183 is moved downward. At this time, since the tip of the locking portion 18551 has a slope, the locking portion 18551 and the locking rod 1855 are inserted into the first space 183S1 while the locking rod 1855 is bent toward the support rod 1853. (Fig. 8). When the first support portion 183 is further moved downward, the locking portion 18551 protrudes upward from the first space 183S1, the shape of the locking rod 1855 is restored, and the locking portion 18551 is the upper surface of the first support portion 183. It is locked to. Thus, it can be said that the first support portion 183 and the locking rod 1855 are connectors for detachably connecting the plate-like flexible member 181 and the rotating portion 185.

Subsequently, a method of removing the rotating part 185 from the second support part 585 will be described. Basically, this is the same as when the rotating portion 185 is removed from the first support portion 183. When a force is applied to the locking portion 18561 toward the support rod 1854, the locking rod 1856 having flexibility bends to move the locking portion 18561 to a position where it can pass through the first space 585S1. . And if the 2nd support part 585 is moved below with respect to the rotation part 185, as shown in FIG. 8, the latching | locking part 18561 will pass the inside of 1st space 585S1. When the second support portion 585 is further moved downward (the rotation portion 185 is moved upward), the second support portion 585 and the rotation portion 185 are separated as shown in FIG. The shape of the stop rod 1856 is restored.

On the other hand, when attaching the rotating portion 185 to the second support portion 585, the support rod 1854 is inserted into the second space 585S2 from above, and the locking portion 18561 is inserted into the first space 585S1 from above while the second support is provided. The part 585 is moved upward (the rotating part 185 is moved downward). At this time, since the distal end shape of the locking portion 18561 has a slope, the locking portion 18561 and the locking rod 1856 are inserted into the first space 585S1 while the locking rod 1856 is bent toward the support rod 1854. (Fig. 8). When the second support portion 585 is further moved upward (the rotation portion 185 is moved downward), the locking portion 18561 protrudes downward from the first space 585S1, and the shape of the locking rod 1856 returns to its original state. A stop portion 18561 is locked to the lower surface of the second support portion 585. Thus, it can be said that the second support portion 585 and the locking rod 1856 are connectors for detachably connecting the frame 500 (see FIG. 3) and the rotating portion 185.

In addition, in FIG. 8, although the stage in the middle of removing the rotation part 185 is shown with respect to both the 1st support part 183 and the 2nd support part 585, it is not necessary to remove both simultaneously. Further, the rotation unit 185 may be removed first from either the first support unit 183 or the second support unit 585.

When attaching the rotation part 185 to the 1st support part 183 and the 2nd support part 585, a pressure is applied with respect to the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 from the up-down direction. At this time, pressure is applied so that the pedestal 1857 and the pedestal 1858 approach each other. As a result, a force is applied so that the key side support portion 1851 moves downward and the frame side support portion 1852 moves upward, and this pressure acts to deform the rod-shaped flexible member 1850. This deformation causes a deformation (a state in which a plurality of portions are bent in the vertical direction V and have inflection points) different from the deformation caused by the rotation of the key 100. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent such deformation as much as possible. At this time, if the rod-like flexible member 1850 is deformed until the key side interference portion 18571 and the frame side support portion 1852 (more specifically, the support plate 18521 shown in FIG. 10) come into contact with each other, the base 1857 and the base 1858 are changed. Can no longer get closer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 from increasing. As described above, the key side interference portion 18571 does not contact the frame side support portion 1852 when the key 100 is movable, but contacts the flexible range of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850.

At this time, the key-side interference portion 18571 has a shape protruding from the pedestal 1857 toward the frame-side support portion 1852. Therefore, the thickness of the pedestal 1857 is increased to increase the frame-side support portion 1852 and the pedestal 1857. It is possible to reduce the amount of material used than to reduce the distance.

[Structure of rod-like flexible member, key side support part and frame side support part]
Next, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850, the key side support portion 1851, and the frame side support portion 1852 of the rotating portion 185 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the rod-shaped flexible member, the key side support portion, and the frame side support portion in the first embodiment. This figure is an enlarged view of the structure in the vicinity of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 in the rotating portion 185. First, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 10, each direction with respect to the main axis AX of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is defined. As described above, the main axis AX corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 (the direction connecting both ends of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850). Here, the x direction is a direction along the main axis AX. The y direction corresponds to the scale direction S and is orthogonal to the x direction. The z direction is a direction that is orthogonal to both the x direction and the y direction. Since the main axis AX substantially corresponds to the front-rear direction F, the z direction corresponds to the substantially vertical direction V.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in the first embodiment. FIG. 11A shows the length in the y direction and the length in the z direction (vertical axis d) at each position in the x direction (horizontal axis x) with respect to a cross section orthogonal to the x direction. FIG. 11B shows the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 in a perspective view. In this example, since the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has a shape of a rotating body with the main axis AX as a rotation axis, the cross section has a circular outer edge. Therefore, the length in the y direction and the length in the z direction are the same. In addition, a change in length described below can be replaced as a change in cross-sectional area. In the perspective view of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850, Ly corresponds to the length in the y direction, and Lz corresponds to the length in the z direction.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has a position in the x direction where the length Ly and the length Lz are the shortest (hereinafter referred to as a minimum point) in a cross section orthogonal to the main axis AX (x direction). C), and a region that continuously increases from the minimum point C toward the both ends is included. The minimum point C is the center in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 in this example. By having such a shape, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be bent and deformed in directions other than the front-rear direction F (other than the main axis direction AX) (two directions out of three directions defining three dimensions). . In addition, since the structure is most easily bent at C, which is the minimum point, the position of the center of rotation can be stabilized by pressing the keys in various ways.

Referring back to FIG. The key side support portion 1851 includes a support plate 18511, a joint portion 18512, a recess portion 18513, and a reinforcing plate 18515. Each configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional shape of the key side support portion in the first embodiment. This sectional shape corresponds to the sectional structure taken along the sectional line A-A 'shown in FIG. The support plate 18511 is a plate-like member that expands along a plane whose normal line is approximately the direction of the main axis AX, and extends downward from the pedestal 1857. That is, the support plate 18511 extends downward with respect to the first support portion 183. In this example, the lower end portion 18511d of the support plate 18511 has an arc shape. The center of this arc exists on the main axis AX.

The joint portion 18512 is a member that joins the support plate 18511 and the rod-shaped flexible member 1850, and the upper end portion and the lower end portion include arc shapes, and the center of each arc exists on the main axis AX. With this shape, continuity with the shape of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be maintained. This continuity can relieve the stress generated when the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is deformed.

Concave portions 18513 are arranged on both side surfaces (two surfaces along the scale direction S) of the joint portion 18512. Due to the presence of the concave portion 18513, stress generated when the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is deformed can be relieved at a joint portion (joint portion 18512) between the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 and the support plate 18511. In particular, the bar-shaped flexible member 1850 is bent in the vertical direction V. On the other hand, although bending deformation in the scale direction S is possible, almost no bending deformation occurs during normal use (during key pressing). By forming the recess 18513 on the surface on the side along the scale direction S that does not cause bending deformation, a greater stress relaxation effect can be obtained. Moreover, the usage-amount of the resin material used in the case of resin molding can also be reduced.

The reinforcing plate 18515 is a plate-like member that extends along a plane perpendicular to the pedestal 1857 and the support plate 18511, and is connected to the pedestal 1857, the support plate 18511, and the joint portion 18512. The presence of the reinforcing plate 18515 makes it difficult for the positional relationship among the pedestal 1857, the support plate 18511, and the joint portion 18512 to change, so that the rigidity of the entire key side support portion 1851 can be increased.

Referring back to FIG. The frame side support portion 1852 includes a support plate 18521, a joint portion 18522, a recess portion 18523, and a reinforcing plate 18525. Each configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 13.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional shape of the frame side support portion in the first embodiment. This sectional shape corresponds to the sectional structure taken along the sectional line B-B 'shown in FIG. The support plate 18521 is a plate-like member that expands along a plane whose normal direction is the direction of the main axis AX, and extends upward from the pedestal 1858. In this example, the upper end portion 18521u of the support plate 18521 has an arc shape. The center of this arc exists on the main axis AX. According to the rotating portion 185 having such a structure, even when the support plate 18521 rotates about the main axis AX by deforming the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 to be twisted with respect to the main axis AX, the support plate The distance between 18521 and the key-side interference unit 18571 can be made substantially constant.

The joint portion 18522 is a member that joins the support plate 18521 and the rod-shaped flexible member 1850, and the upper end portion and the lower end portion thereof have an arc shape, and the center of each arc exists on the main axis AX. With this shape, continuity with the shape of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be maintained. This continuity can relieve the stress generated when the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is deformed.

Concave portions 18523 are disposed on both side surfaces (two surfaces along the scale direction S) of the joint portion 18522. Due to the presence of the concave portion 18523, stress generated when the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is deformed can be relieved at a joint portion (joint portion 18522) between the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 and the support plate 18521. Moreover, the usage-amount of the resin material used in the case of resin molding can also be reduced.

The reinforcing plate 18525 is a plate-like member that extends along a plane perpendicular to the pedestal 1858 and the support plate 18521, and is connected to the pedestal 1858, the support plate 18521, and the joint 18522. The presence of the reinforcing plate 18525 makes it difficult for the positional relationship among the pedestal 1858, the support plate 18521, and the joint portion 18522 to change, so that the rigidity of the entire frame-side support portion 1852 can be increased.

[Keyboard assembly operation]
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the key assembly when the key (white key) in the first embodiment is pressed. FIG. 14A is a diagram when the key 100 is in the rest position (a state where the key is not depressed). FIG. 14B is a diagram when the key 100 is in the end position (a state where the key is pressed to the end). When the key 100 is pressed, the turning portion 185, specifically, the rod-like flexible member 1850 is bent around the turning center. At this time, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is hardly deformed in the front-rear direction F and is bent in the vertical direction V. As a result, the key 100 rotates in the pitch direction. Then, when the hammer support portion 120 pushes down the front end portion 210, the hammer assembly 200 rotates around the rotation shaft 520. When the weight 230 collides with the upper stopper 430, the rotation of the hammer assembly 200 is stopped, and the key 100 reaches the end position. When the sensor 300 is deformed by the front end portion 210, the sensor 300 outputs a detection signal at a plurality of stages according to the deformed amount (key press amount).

On the other hand, when the key is released, the weight portion 230 moves downward, the hammer assembly 200 rotates, and the key 100 rotates upward. When the weight 230 comes into contact with the lower stopper 410, the rotation of the hammer assembly 200 is stopped and the key 100 returns to the rest position.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the key-side interference unit 18571 is provided in order to limit the deformation amount of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 when the rotating unit 185 is attached to the first support unit 183 and the second support unit 585. . In the second embodiment, a rotating part 185A having a configuration that limits the deformation amount of the rod-like flexible member 1850 when removed from the first support part 183 and the second support part 585 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the structure of the rotating part in the second embodiment. The rotation unit 185A includes a pedestal 1858A extending further to the back side and a frame-side interference unit 18581A connected to the pedestal 1858A as compared to the rotation unit 185 in the first embodiment. The frame side interference portion 18581A is connected to the base 1858A at a position facing the key side support portion 1851. The frame-side interference unit 18581A is disposed with a positional relationship fixed to the frame-side support unit 1852 via a pedestal 1858A. By bending the bar-shaped flexible member 1850 in the vertical direction, the frame side interference portion 18581A and the key side support portion 1851 come into contact with each other. The frame-side interference unit 18581A and the key-side support unit 1851 do not come into contact with each other when the key 100 is pressed. This is because the frame side interference part 18581A and the key side support part 1851 move away from each other when the key 100 is pressed. That is, the positional relationship is determined such that the frame side interference portion 18581A and the key side support portion 1851 are in contact with each other outside the movable range of the key 100 and within the flexible range of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850.

As described above, the key-side interference unit 18571 is used as a member that restricts deformation of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 when the rotating unit 185A is attached to the first support unit 183 and the second support unit 585. On the other hand, the frame side interference portion 18581A is used as a member that restricts deformation of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 when the rotating portion 185A is removed from the first support portion 183 and the second support portion 585.

When removing the rotation part 185A from the first support part 183 and the second support part 585, pressure is applied so that the base 1857 and the base 1858A are separated. As a result, a force is applied so that the key side support portion 1851 moves upward and the frame side support portion 1852 moves downward, and this force acts to deform the rod-shaped flexible member 1850. Although depending on the situation of work, there may be a case where a force is applied to the front side of the base 1857 and the base 1858A (the front end side of the key 100) so as to be separated vertically. In such a case, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is deformed in a direction in which the frame side interference portion 18581A and the key side support portion 1851 (more specifically, the support plate 18511 shown in FIG. 10) contact each other. When the frame side interference portion 18581A and the key side support portion 1851 come into contact with each other, the base 1857 and the base 1858A can no longer approach each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 from increasing.

<Third Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the key side support portion 1851 is disposed on the back side of the frame side support portion 1852. In the third embodiment, a rotation unit 185B in which the positional relationship is reversed from that of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the rotating part in the third embodiment. The rotating part 185B is connected to the first support part 183B and the second support part 585B by substantially turning the rotating part 185 in the first embodiment upside down. According to this structure, the position of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850B is the same as in the first embodiment. The frame side support portion 1852B is disposed on the back side of the key side support portion 1851B. Also, a frame side interference unit 18581B is arranged instead of the key side interference unit 18571. The frame side support portion 1852B is further on the back side than the second support portion 585B. Accordingly, the reinforcing plate 1859B is connected to the pedestal 1858B in order to suppress deformation of the pedestal 1858B to which the frame side support portion 1852B is connected. A third space 585S3 for passing through the reinforcing plate 1859B is formed in the second support portion 585B. On the contrary, in this example, the third space 183S3 is not formed in the first support portion 183B.

In the rotating part 185 in the first embodiment, a space extending to the vicinity of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can be secured on the rear end side of the frame 500 (second support part 585). On the other hand, the key-side support portion 1851 moves due to the key depression. Therefore, when any structure is arranged in this space, it is necessary to secure a predetermined margin so as not to contact the key side support portion 1851 in order to suppress the influence on the touch feeling.

In the rotating part 185B in the third embodiment, since the frame side support part 1852B exists in a region near the rear end side of the frame 500 (second support part 585), it is possible to secure a narrower space than in the first embodiment. Become. On the other hand, the key side support portion 1851B moves due to the key depression, but the frame side support portion 1852B hardly moves. Therefore, when any structure is arranged in this space, even if it comes into contact with the frame side support portion 1852B, there is almost no influence on the touch feeling. Depending on the contents of the design, it may be appropriately selected whether to adopt the structure of the first embodiment or the structure of the third embodiment.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is a rotating body having the main axis AX as a rotation axis and has a circular cross section. However, if the structure is capable of bending deformation in the vertical direction V, You may have the outer edge containing the curve which becomes non-circular in cross-sectional shape. In the fourth embodiment, a rod-like flexible member 1850C having an elliptical cross section will be described.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17A corresponds to FIG. 11A, and FIG. 17B corresponds to FIG. 11B. In this example, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850C has an elliptical cross section with the main axis AX as the center of gravity, a short axis in the z direction, and a long axis in the y direction. That is, the length Lz is smaller than the length Ly. The rod-shaped flexible member 1850C includes a region where the length Ly and the length Lz in the cross section continuously increase from the minimum point C toward both ends.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is a rotating body having the main axis AX as the rotation axis, and the length in the y direction and the length in the z direction in the cross section continuously increase toward the both ends. However, one of the length in the y direction and the length in the z direction may not change. In the fifth embodiment, a rod-shaped flexible member 1850D having a constant length in the y direction in the cross section will be described.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in the fifth embodiment. 18A corresponds to FIG. 11A, and FIG. 18B corresponds to FIG. 11B. In this example, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850D has an elliptical cross section with the main axis AX as the center of gravity, a short axis in the z direction, and a long axis in the y direction. The rod-shaped flexible member 1850D includes a region in which the length continuously increases as the length Lz approaches the both ends from the minimum point C. On the other hand, the length Ly is a constant length at any position in the x direction.

As described above, when the length Lz in the cross section changes with respect to the position of the cross section in the x direction, by having the minimum point C, the vicinity of the minimum point C is centered in the vertical direction. Since it becomes easy to bend, the position of the rotation center can be stabilized.

<Modification>
The above-described embodiments can be applied by being combined or replaced with each other. Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, it is also possible to implement by modifying as follows.

(1) In the first embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has an outer edge having a circular cross section perpendicular to the main axis AX, but may have an outer edge including a corner. At this time, the cross-sectional shape may have an outer edge including a straight line.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in the modified example (1). A rod-like flexible member 1850E shown in FIG. 19A is an example in which the cross-sectional shape of the rod-like flexible member 1850 in the first embodiment is a square instead of a circle. A bar-shaped flexible member 1850F shown in FIG. 19B is an example in which the cross-sectional shape of the bar-shaped flexible member 1850D in the fifth embodiment is rectangular instead of elliptical. The example in which the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member 1850C in the fourth embodiment is rectangular instead of elliptical is not shown because only the length Lz in FIG. 19A is shorter than the length Ly. To do. Any structure may be used as long as it can be bent in the vertical direction V (z direction).

(2) In the first embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has the minimum point C at which the length Ly and the length Lz are the shortest in the cross section orthogonal to the main axis AX. As long as it is a flexible member that can be bent, a configuration without the minimum point C may be used. For example, a portion where the length Lz is the shortest may have a constant range. At this time, the length Ly may also have a constant range.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped flexible member in the modified example (2). 20A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11A, and FIG. 20B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. The rod-shaped flexible member 1850G in FIG. 20 has a length Lz shorter than the length Ly as compared with the above-described rod-shaped flexible member 1850E shown in FIG. This is an example in which the length Ly and the length Lz are constant values. Such a range Wf can be said to be a flat plate shape. That is, the portion that bends and deforms as the key is pressed is not limited to a bar shape. Further, the length Ly and the length Lz are not limited to continuously changing in all regions, and may be changed only in some regions. In any case, various shapes of flexible members can be used as long as they can be bent in the vertical direction.

(3) In the first embodiment, the rotation unit 185 has the recess 18513 provided in the joint 18512 and the recess 18523 provided in the joint 18522, but only one of the recesses exists. It may be configured to.

(4) In 1st Embodiment, although the rotation part 185 was attached to the 1st support part 183 and the 2nd support part 585 so that attachment or detachment was possible, the structure which cannot be attached or detached with respect to any one or both. It may be. Even if it is a structure which cannot be attached or detached, the key side support part 1851 (support plate 18511) is arrange | positioned rather than the key 100 at the frame 500 (2nd support part 585) side. On the other hand, the frame-side support portion 1852 is not limited to being disposed on the key 100 side with respect to the frame 500 (second support portion 585), and may be disposed on the back side of the frame 500.

(5) In the first embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 is disposed below the first support portion 183, but may be disposed on the back side from the first support portion 183.

(6) In the first embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has the main axis AX (longitudinal direction) substantially along the front-rear direction F, but a range in which bending deformation in the vertical direction V is possible. If so, it may have a main axis AX inclined with respect to the front-rear direction F, that is, it may have a main axis AX along a direction closer to the pressing direction of the key 100 (vertical direction V). . In this case, it is desirable that the direction of the main axis AX is closer to the front-rear direction F than the pressing direction of the key 100.

(7) In the first embodiment, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 has the main axis AX (longitudinal direction) substantially along the front-rear direction F, and the key 100 is rotated by bending deformation in the vertical direction. The main axis AX along the vertical direction V may be provided. In this case, the rod-shaped flexible member 1850 can rotate the key 100 by bending deformation in the front-rear direction F. At this time, it may have a main axis AX inclined with respect to the vertical direction V, that is, it may have a main axis AX along a direction closer to the pressing direction of the key 100 (vertical direction V). In this case, the direction of the main axis AX is preferably closer to the pressing direction of the key 100 than the front-rear direction F, and it is desirable to have a guide that restricts the movement of the key 100 in the front-rear direction F. . This restriction of movement in the front-rear direction F may be realized by the side key guide 153, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Keyboard device, 10 ... Keyboard assembly, 70 ... Sound source device, 80 ... Speaker, 90 ... Housing, 100 ... Key, 100w ... White key, 100b ... Black key, 120 ... Hammer support part, 151 ... Front end key guide, 151u ... Upper key guide, 151d ... Lower key guide, 153 ... Side key guide, 180 ... Connection part, 181, 181w, 181b ... Plate-like flexible member, 183, 183w, 183b, 183B ... First support part, 183S1 ... 1st space, 183S2 ... 2nd space, 183S3 ... 3rd space, 185, 185A, 185B ... Rotating part, 1850, 1850B, 1850C, 1850D, 1850E, 1850F, 1850G ... Rod-shaped flexible member, 1851, 1851B ... Key side support, 18511 ... Support plate, 18511d ... Lower end, 18512 ... Joint part, 18513 ... Recess, 18 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Reinforcement board, 1852, 1852B ... Frame side support part, 18521 ... Support plate, 18521u ... Upper end part, 18522 ... Joint part, 18523 ... Recessed part, 18525 ... Reinforcement plate, 1853 ... Support bar, 1854 ... Support bar, 1855 ... Locking rod, 1856 ... locking rod, 18551 ... locking portion, 18561 ... locking portion, 1857 ... pedestal, 18571 ... key side interference portion, 1858, 1858A, 1858B ... pedestal, 18581A ... frame side interference portion, 1859, 1859B ... Reinforcing plate, 200 ... Hammer assembly, 210 ... Front end, 220 ... Bearing, 230 ... Weight, 300 ... Sensor, 410 ... Lower stopper, 430 ... Upper stopper, 500 ... Frame, 511 ... Front end frame guide, 513: Side frame guide, 520: Rotating shaft, 585, 585w, 585b, 585 ... second support portion, 585S1 ... first space, 585S2 ... second space, 585S3 ... third space, 590 ... struts, 710 ... signal converter, 730 ... sound source section, 750 ... Output section

Claims

Key and
Frame,
A flexible portion for rotating the key with respect to the frame, having a longitudinal direction, and a length in a first direction perpendicular to the scale direction in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion And a flexible portion having a region that continuously increases as the length in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction approaches the end portion;
A keyboard device comprising:
Key and
Frame,
A flexible portion for rotating the key with respect to the frame, having a longitudinal direction, and a length in a first direction perpendicular to the scale direction in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion Has a region that continuously increases as it approaches both ends, and a flexible part having a position where the length is the smallest in the region;
A keyboard device comprising:
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion that supports an end side from the region of the flexible portion and has a recess disposed on a side along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Item 3. The keyboard device according to Item 2.
4. The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction is closer to the front-rear direction of the key than the pressing direction of the key.
4. The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction is closer to the key pressing direction than the front-back direction of the key.
6. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible part has an outer edge including a curve in the cross section.
6. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible part has an outer edge including a corner in the cross section.
The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a length of the section in the first direction is the same as a length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a length of the cross section in the first direction is shorter than a length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.