Operational member and electronic musical instrument

Abstract

A sound bending device (40) includes an LED (43b) that emits light, a variable resistor (41) that is rotatable, and an operation wheel (44) that is rotatably attached to the variable resistor (41) and is formed in a substantially circular plate shape. The operation wheel (44) includes a light guide member (48) that guides light from the LED (43b) that is incident, and a wheel member (47) that is disposed on the left side of the plate surface of the light guide member (48). The variable resistor (41) includes a shaft portion (41c) that holds the light guide member (48). The light guide member (48) is held by the shaft portion (41c) of the variable resistor (41) and is prevented from being displaced or falling off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to operating components and electronic musical instruments. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, electronic musical instruments such as electronic pianos have been known to have operating mechanisms for imparting playing effects such as pitch bend to musical notes. Among these instruments, a light guide component has been proposed, which has a light-emitting part and guides light emitted according to the operating mode of the operating mechanism, i.e., the control mode of the playing effect. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-54860 discloses an electronic keyboard instrument that includes a light-emitting part that emits light according to the control mode of the playing effect and a rotatable pitch bend wheel unit (operating part) for controlling the playing effect. In this electronic keyboard instrument, a light guide plate is installed to guide light from the light-emitting part to the pitch bend wheel of the pitch bend wheel unit, and the light guide plate rotates as the pitch bend wheel rotates. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, in the electronic keyboard instrument disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-54860, one side of the light guide plate is assembled to the pitch bend wheel, while the other side is exposed. Therefore, by repeatedly rotating the pitch bend wheel unit, the light guide plate may shift or detach, thus compromising its reliability.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an operating element that improves the reliability of guiding light in accordance with the operating mode, and an electronic musical instrument having such an operating element.

[0006] means for solving problems

[0007] One embodiment of the operating member of the present invention includes: a light source portion that emits light; a shaft portion that is rotatable; and an operating portion that is rotatably mounted on the shaft portion and is generally circular in shape. The operating portion has a light guide member for guiding incident light from the light source portion and a wheel member disposed on one plate side of the light guide member. The shaft portion has a clamping portion for clamping the light guide member.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operating element that improves the reliability of guiding light according to the operating mode, and an electronic musical instrument having such an operating element. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional view of the electronic keyboard musical instrument according to the implementation method.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the left casing of the electronic keyboard musical instrument as seen from the right side.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the pitch bender as seen from the right front.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the implementation method of the tone bender, viewed from the left front.

[0014] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the sound bender according to the implementation method.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a side view of the operating wheel of the sound bender as seen from the right side, and it is also a side view showing the rotation pattern of the operating wheel.

[0016] Figure 7A This is a perspective view of the light guide component of the sound bender according to the embodiment, and is a perspective view of the light guide component viewed from the front right side.

[0017] Figure 7B This is a perspective view of the light guide component of the sound bender according to the embodiment, and is a perspective view of the light guide component viewed from the front left side.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the case where the operating wheel is mounted on a variable resistor mounted on a fixed metal part in the tone bender of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the sound bender according to the embodiment, and is Figure 3 A sectional view of section IX-IX in the image. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The electronic keyboard instrument (electronic musical instrument) 10 shown includes a keyboard section 20 with multiple white keys and multiple black keys, and a housing 30. A control board (not shown) and other components are housed inside the housing 30. Furthermore, coordinate axes are shown in each figure. Hereinafter, the X-axis direction in each figure will be defined as the left-right direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 (the positive X-axis direction will be defined as the left direction), the Y-axis direction in each figure will be defined as the front-back direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 (the positive Y-axis direction will be defined as the front direction), and the Z-axis direction in each figure will be defined as the up-down direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 (the positive Z-axis direction will be defined as the up direction).

[0021] The housing 30 is a horizontally elongated rectangle, made of synthetic resin, and is divided into an upper housing 32, a lower housing 34, a left housing 36, and a right housing 38. A knob 12 for controlling the volume of musical tones is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the upper housing 32. (Example...) Figure 2 As shown, the left housing 36 has an upper surface panel 36a forming its upper surface and a housing sidewall 36b forming its sidewalls. An operation opening 36a1 is provided on the front portion of the upper surface panel 36a, through which a portion of a pitch bender (operating member) 40 (the operating wheel 44 described later) for controlling pitch bending of musical tones is exposed. On the rear portion of the upper surface panel 36a, there is a space for allowing the LEDs 43a to 43c (see reference 43a) of the pitch bender 40 to be positioned. Figure 5 The device includes a light-up button 14 for starting or stopping the light emission, and setting buttons 16 for various settings. Additionally, an earphone jack 18 is provided on the front surface of the side wall 36b of the housing.

[0022] An internal frame 37, serving as a frame-like component, is provided on the inner surface of the left housing 36. A first substrate 37a, a second substrate 37b, and a pitch bender 40 are mounted inside the internal frame 37. The first substrate 37a receives presses of the illuminated button 14 and the setting button 16, while the second substrate 37b receives insertions and removals from the headphone jack 18. The first substrate 37a and the second substrate 37b, as well as the first substrate 37a and the pitch bender 40, are electrically connected via wiring (not shown). Furthermore, the first substrate 37a and the second substrate 37b are electrically connected to the control board of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 via wiring (not shown).

[0023] The structure of the tone bender 40 is described in detail. For example... Figures 3-5 As shown, the tone bender 40 includes a variable resistor (with a shaft) 41, a fixing metal part 42, a light source substrate 43, an operating wheel (operating part) 44, a torsion spring 45, and a retaining member 46. The operating wheel 44 is generally circular and has a wheel member 47, a light guide member 48, and double-sided adhesive tape 49 for bonding the wheel member 47 and the light guide member 48 (see reference). Figure 5 The upper part of the operating wheel 44 is exposed from the operating opening 36a1 of the left housing 36.

[0024] The variable resistor 41 is a rotatable rotary variable resistor, having a sensor front portion 41a, a sensor rear portion 41b, a shaft-like portion (clamping portion) 41c, and three wiring connection portions 41d extending from the lower side of the sensor front portion 41a. The sensor front portion 41a is formed into a generally cylindrical shape, and the sensor rear portion 41b is formed into a generally cylindrical shape that is thinner than the sensor front portion 41a, protruding from the left side of the sensor front portion 41a to the left. The sensor front portion 41a and the sensor rear portion 41b constitute a rotation angle sensor.

[0025] The shaft-shaped portion 41c extends in a axial shape along the left-right direction, with its right end inserted into the inner side of the cylinder of the rear portion 41b of the sensor, allowing it to rotate around its axis. The cross-section of the portion of the shaft-shaped portion 41c exposed from the rear portion 41b of the sensor is approximately crescent-shaped, except near the boundary with the rear portion 41b of the sensor. Connection wires for connecting to the first substrate 37a are connected to each wiring connection portion 41d. The variable resistor 41 detects the rotation angle of the shaft-shaped portion 41c based on the resistance value that changes with the rotation of the shaft-shaped portion 41c in the front portion 41a and the rear portion 41b of the sensor, converts the rotation angle into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the first substrate 37a via the connection wires.

[0026] The fixing metal part 42 is a metal part used to fix the various components constituting the tone bender 40 to each other and to fix the tone bender 40 to the inner frame 37. Its cross-section is approximately L-shaped (see reference). Figure 9 The fixing metal member 42 has a flat plate portion 42a arranged in a vertical orientation with the two plate surfaces facing upwards, and a vertical wall portion 42b that rises from the right end of the flat plate portion 42a in a flat orientation with the two plate surfaces facing left-right. Furthermore, the fixing metal member 42 has a first threaded fixing portion 42c extending downwards from a portion of the left end of the flat plate portion 42a, and second threaded fixing portions 42d extending flat to the right from both the front and rear sides of the vertically raised front end portion of the vertical wall portion 42b. The fixing metal member 42 is fixed to the inner frame 37 by threading the first threaded fixing portion 42c and the second threaded fixing portion 42d to the inner frame 37 respectively.

[0027] Inside the vertical wall portion 42b extending from the two second threaded fixing portions 42d, a pair of slits 42b1 are provided, opening upwards and extending vertically. Inside the two slits 42b1, a flat resistor fixing portion 42b2 is provided, extending above the upper ends of the two second threaded fixing portions 42d. In the resistor fixing portion 42b2, at a position above the upper ends of the two second threaded fixing portions 42d, a fixing opening 42b3 with a circular opening is provided, through which the sensor rear portion 41b of the variable resistor 41 is inserted. The variable resistor 41 is connected to the resistor fixing portion 42b2 by being bolted while the sensor rear portion 41b is inserted into the fixing opening 42b3. The resistor fixing part 42b2 has flexural flexibility in the left-right direction (axial direction of the shaft-shaped part 41c) compared with other parts of the fixing metal part 42 when the fixing metal part 42 is fixed to the inner frame 37 by providing slits 42b1 on both sides of it.

[0028] The light source substrate 43 is a flat printed circuit board with its two surfaces facing vertically. The light source substrate 43 is mounted on the flat portion 42a of the fixing metal member 42 and is fixed relative to the flat portion 42a by threads. Three LEDs (light source portions) 43a, 43b, and 43c, each emitting light of a different wavelength, are provided on the light source substrate 43. Each LED 43a to 43c is arranged in a straight line at equal intervals along the front-back direction, emitting light upwards towards the light source substrate 43. Additionally, a generally rectangular light source connection portion 43d (see reference) is provided on the lower surface of the light source substrate 43. Figure 9 A connection wire extending from the first substrate 37a side is connected to the light source connection portion 43d. Additionally, an insulating plate IP is sandwiched between the flat plate portion 42a of the fixing metal member 42 and the light source substrate 43 to insulate the two.

[0029] The operating wheel 44 is mounted on the shaft-like portion 41c of the variable resistor 41 and rotates together with the shaft-like portion 41c about its axis. A portion of the upper surface of the operating wheel 44 has an operating recess 44a that is approximately arc-shaped. The operating recess 44a protrudes from the operating opening 36a1 of the left housing 36 and is configured to facilitate rotation by placing a finger or similar object when the operator rotates the operating wheel 44. Figure 6 As shown, the operating recess 44a of the operating wheel 44 is in the initial state P0 with its vertically upward orientation. It can rotate within the range of a first state P1, in which it rotates 45 degrees from the initial state P0 around the axial front side of the shaft portion 41c, and a second state P2, in which it rotates 45 degrees from the initial state P0 around the axial rear side of the shaft portion 41c.

[0030] The wheel component 47 of the operating wheel 44 is made of synthetic resin and is a roughly fan-shaped plate component with about 1 / 4 of its circle missing from its lower part. In the portion of the wheel component 47 other than its lower part, there is an outer wall portion 47a that extends slightly to the right in a wall-like manner (see reference). Figure 5 At the center of the upper part of the outer wall portion 47a in the front-rear direction, a wheel-side recess 47a1 is provided, which is formed by an arc-shaped indentation and constitutes part of the operating recess 44a. A wheel-side through hole (second through hole) 47b is provided at approximately the center of the wheel member 47. The wheel-side through hole 47b opens in a generally crescent shape along the cross-sectional shape of the shaft-shaped portion 41c and passes through in the left-right direction. The wheel member 47 is fixed relative to the shaft-shaped portion 41c by being inserted into the wheel-side through hole 47b through the shaft-shaped portion 41c.

[0031] Additionally, a wheel-side protrusion 47c extending to the left is provided around the wheel-side through hole 47b on the left side plate of the wheel member 47. The wheel-side protrusion 47c is configured such that the wheel-side through hole 47b is hidden when the wheel member 47 is viewed from above, and is roughly L-shaped when viewed from the left. Furthermore, a spring fixing part 47d protruding to the left in a roughly cylindrical shape is provided on the left side plate of the wheel member 47 (see reference). Figure 3 The aforementioned wheel-side through hole 47b is provided to pass through the inner side of the spring fixing part 47d. A first spring abutment part 47e is provided on the lower side of the spring fixing part 47d, which extends to the left in a generally flat shape with two plate surfaces facing up and down. The plate surfaces of the first spring abutment part 47e are gently curved in a downward convex manner.

[0032] The light guide member 48 of the operating wheel 44 is generally circular and is made of a material with excellent light transmittance (e.g., acrylic resin). Figure 6 As shown, the light guide member 48 is disposed above the light source substrate 43 with a small gap between it and each of the LEDs 43a-43c, so that light emitted from each of the LEDs 43a-43c enters from the lower part of the light guide member 48. The left side of the light guide member 48 is attached to the inner side of the outer wall portion 47a of the wheel member 47 by double-sided tape 49, and rotates together with the wheel member 47 around the axis of the shaft portion 41c. A tape-side through hole 49a for the shaft portion 41c to be inserted is provided at approximately the center of the double-sided tape 49. In this way, the wheel member 47 is disposed on one side of the light guide member 48, supporting the light guide member 48.

[0033] A light-guiding recess 48a1 is provided at the center of the upper part of the end edge 48a of the light guide member 48 in the front-rear direction. The light-guiding recess 48a1 is recessed into a generally arc shape with a shape that is approximately the same as that of the wheel-side recess 47a1, forming part of the operation recess 44a. A light-guiding through hole (first through hole) 48b is provided at the center of the side of the light guide member 48 in the left-right direction. The light-guiding through hole 48b of the light guide member 48 is inserted through the shaft-shaped part 41c, and the light guide member 48 rotates together with the wheel member 47 around the axis of the shaft-shaped part 41c. A light-guiding protrusion 48c extending to the right is provided around the light-guiding through hole 48b on the right side plate of the light guide member 48. The light-guiding protrusion 48c is arranged in a generally L-shape when viewed from the right side, so as to hide the light-guiding through hole 48b when the light guide member 48 is viewed from above. Additionally, as described later, a portion of the light guide member 48 abuts against a portion of the variable resistor 41, thereby clamping the light guide member 48 between the wheel member 47 and the variable resistor 41.

[0034] The torsion spring 45 has a coiled spring portion 45a and a pair of force-applying portions 45b. The coiled spring portion 45a is a coiled spring and is fixed to the spring fixing portion 47d in a state of being coiled around the outer peripheral surface of the spring fixing portion 47d. Both ends of the coiled spring portion 45a extend to the lower part of the spring fixing portion 47d. The pair of force-applying portions 45b are composed of elongated cylindrical rubber members inserted through both ends of the coiled spring portion 45a. When the operating wheel 44 is in the initial state P0, the pair of force-applying portions 45b clamp the first spring abutment portion 47e with their inner portions, applying force to the first spring abutment portion 47e while abutting against the first spring abutment portion 47e.

[0035] The retaining member 46 is made of synthetic resin and is used to hold the torsion spring 45 in position. The retaining member 46 has a bottom 46a and a side plate portion 46b. The bottom 46a is disposed above the light source substrate 43 and is shaped so as not to cover the light emitting side of each LED 43a to 43c. The front and rear sides of the bottom 46a are slightly raised in a block shape facing upwards, and its inner surface is recessed in a curved shape along the outer peripheral surface of the operating wheel 44. The side plate portion 46b is raised in a flat shape from the left end of the bottom 46a to the spring fixing portion 47d of the wheel member 47 with two plate surfaces facing left and right. A wheel bearing portion 46b1 is provided at the front end of the side plate portion 46b, which is cut off in a generally arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the spring fixing portion 47d. A small gap is provided between the wheel bearing portion 46b1 and the spring fixing portion 47d so that they are close together.

[0036] Furthermore, a second spring abutment 46c is provided on the right side plate of the side plate portion 46b, located below the first spring abutment 47e. This second spring abutment 46c extends to the right in a generally flat shape with both plate surfaces facing vertically. The plate surface of the second spring abutment 46c is gently curved to bulge downwards and has a width approximately equal to that of the first spring abutment 47e. When the operating wheel 44 is in the initial state P0, a pair of force-applying portions 45b of the torsion spring 45, below the first spring abutment 47e, clamp the second spring abutment 46c with their inner portions, applying force to the second spring abutment 46c while simultaneously abutting it.

[0037] In the pitch bender 40 configured as described above, when the operating wheel 44 is rotated, the shaft-shaped portion 41c of the variable resistor 41 is linked to the operating wheel 44, and the shaft-shaped portion 41c rotates around its axis. When the shaft-shaped portion 41c rotates, the variable resistor 41 converts its rotation angle into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the first substrate 37a. The electrical signal output to the first substrate 37a is then output to the control board of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 via the first substrate 37a. The control board analyzes and controls the signal, imparting a pitch bend effect to the musical tones of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 corresponding to the rotation angle of the operating wheel 44.

[0038] Furthermore, in the tone bender 40, when the operating wheel 44 is rotated forward, the wheel-side protrusion 47c indirectly abuts against the front side of the second spring abutment 46c, clamping the force-applying part 45b on the front side of the torsion spring 45 between them. In the first state P1, where the operating wheel 44 has rotated 45 degrees forward from the initial state P0, the rotation of the operating wheel 44 forward is restricted. Similarly, when the operating wheel 44 is rotated backward, the wheel-side protrusion 47c indirectly abuts against the rear side of the second spring abutment 46c, clamping the force-applying part 45b on the rear side of the torsion spring 45 between them. In the second state P2, where the operating wheel 44 has rotated 45 degrees backward from the initial state P0, the rotation of the operating wheel 44 backward is restricted. In addition, within the range where the operating wheel 44 can be rotated, the wheel-side protrusion 47c and the light-guiding side protrusion 48c provided on the operating wheel 44 prevent the light source substrate 43 and the like from being visually identified from the operating opening 36a1.

[0039] Furthermore, in the tone bender 40, when the operating wheel 44 is rotated, one side of the pair of force-applying portions 45b of the torsion spring 45 rotates away from the second spring abutment portion 46c while in contact with the first spring abutment portion 47e, and the other side rotates away from the first spring abutment portion 47e while in contact with the second spring abutment portion 46c, thus widening the gap between the pair of force-applying portions 45b. Therefore, after the operating wheel 44 has been rotated from the initial state P0, when a finger or other object leaves the operating recess 44a of the operating wheel 44, the operating wheel 44 returns to the initial state P0 position due to the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 45. That is, the position of the torsion spring 45 is maintained by the retaining member 46 (second spring abutment portion 46c).

[0040] Furthermore, in the pitch bender 40, the light emission patterns of each LED 43a to 43c are controlled by a control board according to the pitch bend effect imparted to the musical tone or other operating modes. Specifically, the control board controls the changes in the light emission color and light emission interval of each LED 43a to 43c. Light emitted from each LED 43a to 43c enters and diffuses from the lower portion of the end edge 48a of the light guide member 48, and is guided radially within the light guide member 48. The light guided within the light guide member 48 exits from the upper portion of the end edge 48a of the light guide member 48, wherein the performer can visually identify the light emitted towards the outside of the operating opening 36a1 (see reference). Figure 9 The optical path L1 is shown. Thus, the performer can know the tone control status of the electronic keyboard instrument 10.

[0041] Next, the structure related to the contact portion between the light guide member 48 and the variable resistor 41 will be described in detail. For example... Figure 7B As shown, a raised portion 48d, roughly frustum-shaped and oriented to the left, is provided approximately in the center of the left side plate of the light guide member 48. A through hole 48b on the light guide side is provided through the raised portion 48d. Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, within the opening of the light-guiding through-hole 48B, the portion of the opening located in the raised portion 48d has an approximately crescent-shaped opening, while the other portions have circular openings. Therefore, within the opening of the light-guiding through-hole 48b, a step is provided at the boundary between the portion located in the raised portion 48d and other portions. The step surface constituting this step becomes the light-guiding abutment surface (second abutment surface) 48b1, which abuts against a portion of the variable resistor 41. The light-guiding abutment surface 48b1 is orthogonal to the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft-like portion 41c.

[0042] An insert recess 47f is provided approximately at the center of the wheel member 47. The insert recess 47f is recessed in such a way that the raised portion 48d is inserted when the wheel member 47 overlaps with the light guide member 48 (see reference). Figure 5The wheel-side through hole 47b is provided in the form of a through-embedded recess 47f. Furthermore, the size of the tape-side through hole 49a provided on the double-sided tape 49 is such that, when the double-sided tape 49 is adhered to the left side of the light guide member 48, its opening end surrounds the protrusion 48d. Therefore, when the wheel member 47 and the light guide member 48 are attached together via the double-sided tape 49, the protrusion 48d of the light guide member 48 is embedded into the embedded recess 47f of the wheel member 47, and the outer surface of the protrusion 48d abuts against the inner surface of the embedded recess 47f (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0043] In addition, such as Figure 7B As shown, an anti-rotation portion 48e is provided in approximately half of the left side of the end edge 48a of the light guide member 48. When the wheel member 47 and the light guide member 48 are bonded together, the anti-rotation portion 48e approaches or abuts against the front and rear ends of the outer wall portion 47a of the wheel member 47, respectively. Therefore, even if the adhesive force between the wheel member 47 and the light guide member 48 weakens, and a rotational force independent of the wheel member 47 is applied to the light guide member 48, the anti-rotation portion 48e interferes with the outer wall portion 47a, preventing the light guide member 48 from rotating independently of the wheel member 47.

[0044] On the other hand, such as Figure 8 As shown, the cross-section of the axial portion 41c of the variable resistor 41 is circular near the boundary with the rear portion 41b of the sensor, while the cross-section of the other portions is approximately crescent-shaped. Therefore, a step is provided on the axial portion 41c at the boundary between the circular and crescent-shaped portions, and the step surface forming this step becomes the resistor-side contact surface (first contact surface) 41c1 that abuts against the light-guiding side contact surface 48b1 of the light-guiding member 48. The resistor-side contact surface 41c1 is orthogonal to the axial direction (left-right direction) of the axial portion 41c.

[0045] Next, the assembly configuration of the variable resistor 41 and the operating wheel 44 will be described. For example... Figure 8 As shown, in the assembly process of the tone bender 40, the unit (hereinafter referred to as "resistor unit RU") which is assembled with the variable resistor 41, the fixing metal part 42 and the light source substrate 43 is assembled with the unit (hereinafter referred to as "wheel unit WU") which is assembled with the wheel member 47, the light guide member 48 and the torsion spring 45, and then the retaining member 46 is assembled.

[0046] When assembling the resistor unit RU and the wheel unit WU, the resistor unit RU is positioned such that the resistance-side contact surface 41c1 of the variable resistor 41 abuts against the light-guide side contact surface 48b1 of the light guide member 48. Then, the shaft-shaped portion 41c of the variable resistor 41 is inserted into the light-guide side through hole 48b and the wheel-side through hole 47b until the resistance-side contact surface 41c1 abuts against the light-guide side contact surface 48b1. At this time, the shaft-shaped portion 41c is pressed into the wheel-side through hole 47b. Through the above process, the resistor unit RU and the wheel unit WU are assembled. Then, by holding the spring fixing portion 47d of the wheel member 47 to the wheel bearing portion 46b1 of the retaining member 46 and threading the bottom 46a to the flat portion 42a of the fixing metal member 42, the tone bender 40 of this embodiment can be assembled.

[0047] In the pitch bender 40 assembled as described above, such as Figure 9 As shown, the protrusion 48d of the light guide member 48 is sandwiched between the shaft-shaped portion 41c of the variable resistor 41 and the embedded recess 47f of the wheel member 47, through the contact between the resistor-side contact surface 41c1 and the light guide side contact surface 48b1. In other words, the variable resistor 41 sandwiches the light guide member 48 between itself and the wheel member 47. In this way, by sandwiching the light guide member 48 between the variable resistor 41 and the wheel member 47, the light guide member 48 is held between the two, thus preventing the light guide member 48 from shifting position or falling off.

[0048] Furthermore, in the sound bender 40, light emitted from each of the LEDs 43a to 43c enters from the lower portion of the light guide member 48, is radially guided within the plate surface of the light guide member 48, and exits from the upper portion of the light guide member 48. Here, in the sound bender 40, a raised portion 48d rises to the left from the left side plate surface of the light guide member 48, and a light guide side contact surface 48b1 that abuts against the resistance side contact surface 41c1 of the variable resistor 41 is provided inside the raised portion 48d. That is, the contact portion between the light guide member 48 and the variable resistor 41 is located at a position offset to the left from the plate surface of the light guide member 48, and the light guide side contact surface 48b1 does not overlap with each of the LEDs 43a to 43c in the radial direction of the light guide member 48. Therefore, there are no unevennesses or bumps on the light path L1 of the light guided radially within the plate surface of the light guide member 48 caused by the construction of the contact portion between the light guide member 48 and the variable resistor 41, thus preventing the construction of the contact portion from affecting the light guiding within the light guide member 48.

[0049] As described above, the bender 40 of this embodiment includes: a plurality of LEDs 43a to 43c that emit light; a variable resistor 41 that is rotatable; and an operating wheel 44 that is rotatably mounted on the variable resistor 41 and is formed in a generally circular plate shape. Furthermore, the operating wheel 44 has a light guide member 48 that guides the incident light from each of the LEDs 43a to 43c, and a wheel member 47 disposed on the plate side of the left side of the light guide member 48. The variable resistor 41 has a shaft-like portion 41c that holds the light guide member 48.

[0050] Because the tone bender 40 has the above-described structure, the light guide member 48 is clamped and held by the axial portion 41c of the variable resistor 41, and movement of the light guide member 48 in the axial direction (left-right direction) or the plate surface direction (up-down direction and front-back direction) of the axial portion 41c is prevented or suppressed. As a result, positional displacement or detachment of the light guide member 48 caused by repeated rotation of the operating wheel 44 can be prevented. Therefore, in the tone bender 40, in the structure that controls the light emission mode of each LED 43a to 43c according to the rotation angle around the axis of the axial portion 41c, the reliability of the light guide member 48 that guides light corresponding to the operating mode of the operating wheel 44 can be improved.

[0051] Furthermore, in the tone bender 40, the variable resistor 41 has a resistor-side contact surface 41c1 that abuts against the light guide member 48, and the light guide member 48 has a light guide-side contact surface 48b1 that abuts against the resistor-side contact surface 41c1. Thus, a specific structure can be provided in which a portion of the variable resistor 41 abuts against a portion of the light guide member 48, and the light guide member 48 is sandwiched between the variable resistor 41 and the wheel member 47.

[0052] Furthermore, in the tone bender 40, the shaft-shaped portion 41c is rotatable about an axis, the resistor-side contact surface 41c1 is disposed on the shaft-shaped portion 41c, and the light guide member 48 has a light guide-side through hole 48b through which the shaft-shaped portion 41c is inserted, with the light guide-side abutment surface 48b1 disposed within the opening of the light guide-side through hole 48b. Thus, a specific structure can be provided for abutting a portion of the shaft-shaped portion 41c and a portion of the light guide member 48 when the shaft-shaped portion 41c is inserted through the light guide-side through hole 48b.

[0053] Furthermore, in the sound bender 40, the light guide member 48 guides the incident light from each LED 43a-43c radially, and the light guide side abutment surface 48b1 is positioned in the radial direction of the light guide member 48 without overlapping with each LED 43a-43c. This prevents unevenness caused by the abutment portion of the light guide member 48 and the variable resistor 41 from occurring on the light path L1 of the light radially guided within the surface of the light guide member 48. Therefore, the abutment portion of the light guide member 48 and the variable resistor 41 can be prevented from affecting the light guiding within the light guide member 48, maintaining good visual visibility of the light emitted from the light guide member 48 and ensuring the reliability of the light guide member 48.

[0054] Furthermore, in the bender 40, the resistor-side contact surface 41c1 and the light-guide-side contact surface 48b1 are orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 41c. Therefore, the resistor-side contact surface 41c1 and the light-guide-side contact surface 48b1 abut along the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 41c, thus allowing the light guide member 48 to be clamped between the shaft-shaped portion 41c and the wheel member 47 along the axial direction of the shaft-shaped portion 41c, securely holding the light guide member 48. This more effectively prevents positional displacement or detachment of the light guide member 48.

[0055] Furthermore, in the tone bender 40, the wheel member 47 has a wheel-side through hole 47b through which the axle-shaped portion 41c is inserted, and the axle-shaped portion 41c is pressed into the wheel-side through hole 47b. Thus, the axle-shaped portion 41c is securely fixed to the wheel member 47, preventing the wheel member 47 from detaching from the axle-shaped portion 41c. Therefore, the light guide member 48 can be reliably held between the axle-shaped portion 41c and the wheel member 47, and positional displacement or detachment of the light guide member 48 can be more effectively prevented.

[0056] Furthermore, in the bender 40, the light guide member 48 and the wheel member 47 are bonded together via double-sided adhesive tape 49. This allows the light guide member 48 to be supported by the wheel member 47, securely holding it between the shaft portion 41c and the wheel member 47. Moreover, compared to using an adhesive that cures after bonding, using double-sided adhesive tape 49, which remains tacky even in a semi-cured state after bonding, prevents abrupt peeling between the wheel member 47 and the light guide member 48. Therefore, the reliability of the light guide member 48 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0057] Furthermore, the electronic keyboard instrument 10 of this embodiment includes a pitch bender 40. Therefore, when the player repeatedly rotates the operation wheel 44 during playing the electronic keyboard instrument 10, it is possible to prevent the light guide member 48 from shifting position or falling off. Thus, the durability of the pitch bender 40 can be improved, and the reliability of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 can be enhanced.

[0058] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included within the scope of the invention described in the claimed scope and its equivalents. For example, although a pitch bender is exemplified as an operating element in the above embodiments, other operating elements such as a modulation wheel may also be used. In addition, an electronic keyboard instrument is exemplified as an electronic musical instrument in the above embodiments, but other electronic musical instruments without a keyboard may also be used.

Claims

1. An operating element, wherein, have: The light source section emits light; It has a shaft portion, which has a shaft-shaped clamping portion that can rotate about the shaft; and The operating part, which is rotatably mounted on the shafted part, is generally circular in shape. The operating unit includes a light guide member for guiding incident light from the light source unit, and a wheel member disposed on one plate side of the light guide member. The light guide member has a first through hole through which the clamping part is inserted, and a raised portion around the first through hole that protrudes towards one side of the wheel member. The wheel component has an embedded recess corresponding to the raised portion for abutment. The clamping part clamps the raised portion of the light guide member within the opening of the first through hole, between the clamping part and the embedded recess of the wheel member.

2. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein, The clamping part has a first contact surface that abuts against the light guide member. The light guide component has a second abutting surface that abuts against the first abutting surface.

3. The operating element according to claim 2, wherein, The second contact surface is disposed inside the opening of the first through hole.

4. The operating element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The first contact surface is crescent-shaped. The second contact surface is a crescent-shaped surface that contacts the first contact surface.

5. The operating element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The light guide component directs the incident light from the light source in a radial direction. The second contact surface is located at a position that does not overlap with the light source portion in the radial direction.

6. The operating element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are orthogonal to the axial direction of the clamping part.

7. The operating member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The wheel component has a second through hole through which the clamping part can be inserted. The clamping part is pressed into the second through hole.

8. The operating member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The light guide component and the wheel component are bonded together with double-sided adhesive tape.

9. An electronic musical instrument, wherein, It has an operating element as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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