Electronic key module
By designing a conductive film and a pressure-sensing circuit board, an independent aftertouch sound effect for each key was achieved, solving the problem that existing electronic keyboard key modules cannot simultaneously display the aftertouch effects of multiple keys, thus improving the richness of tone and the stability of the aftertouch sound effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing electronic keyboard key modules, due to their single-tone aftertouch function, cannot simultaneously reproduce the aftertouch effects of multiple keys, thus limiting the richness of timbre and emotional expression.
The design employs a conductive film and a pressure sensing circuit board. Multiple conductive blocks are set under the conductive film, corresponding one-to-one with the key height limiting posts. By pressing the conductive film down on the key height limiting posts, the conductive blocks are electrically connected to the electrode units, thus achieving independent aftertouch sound effects.
Each key can produce an independent aftertouch sound, which enhances the richness of playing performance and improves the stability of the aftertouch sound through even force distribution.
Smart Images
Figure CN223993149U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a keyboard module, and more particularly to an electronic keyboard module. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous improvement of processor computing power, modern electronic musical instruments are now capable of creating a wide range of effects and timbres. Due to the differences in sound production principles between electronic and traditional instruments, some electronic instruments can produce effects and timbres that traditional instruments cannot replicate. For example, piezoelectric sensing technology can be applied to electronic keyboards to give them an aftertouch effect, a sound effect that a traditional piano cannot produce. However, because the aftertouch function of electronic keyboards is monophonic, meaning all keys share a single aftertouch sensor (piezoelectric sensor), even if multiple keys are pressed simultaneously, only the aftertouch effect of one key can be observed, limiting the player's ability to create a richer tonal range and expressive nuances. Utility Model Content
[0003] Therefore, this disclosure provides an electronic keyboard key module that helps improve the presentation of after-touch sound effects.
[0004] This disclosure provides at least one embodiment of an electronic keyboard module, which includes a keyboard support, a keyboard, a conductive film, and a pressure sensing circuit board. The keyboard is mounted on the keyboard support and includes multiple keys and multiple key height limiting posts, each positioned one-to-one on the lower surface of the keys. The conductive film is disposed below the keyboard and includes an insulating layer and multiple conductive blocks. The insulating layer is disposed below the key height limiting posts, and the conductive blocks are spaced apart from each other within the insulating layer. The conductive blocks are positioned one-to-one below the keys, and the insulating layer is located between the key height limiting posts and the conductive blocks. The pressure sensing circuit board is disposed below the conductive film, and the conductive film is located between the keyboard and the pressure sensing circuit board. The pressure sensing circuit board includes multiple electrode units, each positioned one-to-one below the conductive blocks of the conductive film. When at least one key is in a depressed state, the key height limiting posts below the depressed keys abut against the conductive film, causing the conductive blocks corresponding to those keys to contact and electrically connect to the corresponding electrode units.
[0005] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the electronic keyboard key module further includes an aftertouch sound module electrically connected to a pressure sensing circuit board and used to receive a piezoelectric signal from the pressure sensing circuit board. When a conductive block contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding electrode unit, the pressure sensing circuit board emits the aforementioned piezoelectric signal.
[0006] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, each of the key height limiting posts has a plane facing the conductive film. The area of the plane of the key height limiting post is greater than or equal to the area of each conductive block.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the thickness of the conductive block ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the insulating layer is a polyester film.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the insulating layer further includes a plurality of limiting grooves, which are disposed one-to-one below the piano keys. An opening of each limiting groove faces the pressure sensing circuit board, and a conductive block is disposed one-to-one on a bottom surface of each limiting groove.
[0010] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the distance between the opening of the limiting groove and the bottom surface is greater than the thickness of the conductive block.
[0011] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the distance between the opening of the limiting groove and the bottom surface ranges from 0.06 mm to 0.07 mm.
[0012] In at least one embodiment disclosed herein, the electronic keyboard module further includes a plurality of elastomers. These elastomers are disposed one-to-one below the key height limiting post and located between the key height limiting post and the conductive film. When at least one key is in a depressed state, the key height limiting post below the depressed key abuts against the conductive film through the elastomer, so that the conductive block of the corresponding key contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit.
[0013] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the depressed state is maintained from an initial time to a completion time, and between the initial time and the completion time, the contact area between one of the elastomers and one of the electrode units gradually increases.
[0014] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, each of the elastomers has a plane facing the conductive film. The area of the plane of the elastomer is greater than or equal to the area of each conductive block.
[0015] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the electronic keyboard key module further includes a limiting elastic post, spaced apart from the elastic body, and the height of the limiting elastic post is greater than the height of the elastic body. In the depressed state, the key height limiting post abuts against the limiting elastic post.
[0016] Based on the above, since the conductive blocks of the conductive film in the electronic keyboard key module are positioned one-to-one below the key height limiting post, when a key is pressed down, it can cause the key height limiting post to contact the conductive film downwards, pushing the conductive blocks distributed in the conductive film downwards towards the pressure sensing circuit board, so that the conductive blocks are electrically connected to the electrode unit on the pressure sensing circuit board. Because one key corresponds to one conductive block and one electrode unit, these keys can each produce independent aftertouch effects, increasing the richness of the playing performance. On the other hand, the contact areas of the key height limiting post (through an elastic body) with the conductive blocks are similar. In this way, the force of the conductive blocks against the electrode unit can be evenly distributed, thereby improving the stability of the aftertouch effect. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The embodiments disclosed herein can be understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be noted that many features are not drawn to industry-standard scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.
[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;
[0019] Figure 2 Draw Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the electronic keyboard key module of an embodiment along section C;
[0020] Figure 3 A partial exploded view of an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;
[0021] Figure 4 A partial perspective view of the conductive film in an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0022] Figure 5 This illustration shows a perspective view of a pressure sensing circuit board in an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 6A Draw Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the electronic keyboard key module in the pressed state along section C of an embodiment;
[0024] Figure 6B A schematic diagram illustrating the change in the contact area between the elastomer and the electrode unit in at least one embodiment is provided.
[0025] Figure 7A A partial perspective view of an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;
[0026] Figure 7B A partial perspective view of an electronic keyboard key module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0027] [Symbol Explanation]
[0028] 100: Electronic Keyboard Module
[0029] 110: Keyboard stand
[0030] 120: Keyboard
[0031] 122: Piano Keys
[0032] 122s, 142f: Lower surface
[0033] 124: Piano Key Height Limiting Post
[0034] 124p, 180p: Flat
[0035] 140: Conductive film
[0036] 142: Insulation layer
[0037] 142c: Limiting groove
[0038] 144: Conductive Block
[0039] 160: Pressure sensing circuit board
[0040] 162: Electrode Unit
[0041] 180: Elastomer
[0042] 185: Limiting elastic column
[0043] 190: Aftertouch sound effect module
[0044] BS1: Bottom
[0045] C: Section
[0046] CA: Contact Area
[0047] d1: Spacing
[0048] h1, h2: Height
[0049] OP1: Opening
[0050] S1: Direction of pressure application
[0051] t0: Initial time
[0052] t1: Completion Time Detailed Implementation
[0053] This disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the following descriptions of the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to exhaustively disclose all embodiments or limit the specific embodiments of this disclosure. For example, the phrase "a first feature is formed on a second feature" includes various implementations, encompassing both direct contact between the first and second features and additional features formed between the first and second features so that they are not in direct contact. Furthermore, the same element symbols used in the drawings and specification will, as far as possible, represent the same or similar elements.
[0054] In the following text, to clearly present the technical features of this disclosure, the dimensions (e.g., length, width, thickness, and depth) of the elements (e.g., layers, films, substrates, and regions) in the accompanying drawings will be enlarged proportionally. Therefore, the description and explanation of the embodiments below are not limited to the dimensions and shapes presented by the elements in the drawings, but should cover dimensions, shapes, and deviations from both due to actual manufacturing processes and / or tolerances. For example, a flat surface shown in the drawings may have rough and / or non-linear characteristics, and an acute angle shown in the drawings may be rounded. Therefore, the elements presented in the accompanying drawings of this disclosure are primarily for illustrative purposes and are not intended to precisely depict the actual shape of the elements, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the claims of this disclosure.
[0055] Figure 1 This illustration shows a perspective view of an electronic keyboard key module 100 according to at least one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a sectional view of the electronic keyboard key module 100 along section C. Please refer to it as well. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic keyboard module 100 includes a keyboard support 110, a keyboard 120, a conductive film 140, and a pressure sensing circuit board 160. The keyboard 120 is mounted on the keyboard support 110 and includes multiple keys 122 and multiple key height limiting posts 124. These key height limiting posts 124 are arranged one-to-one on the lower surface 122s of the keys 122, that is, the key height limiting posts 124 are located below the keys 122, and one key height limiting post 124 corresponds to one key 122.
[0056] The keyboard 120 includes multiple white keys and multiple black keys. For example, a typical electronic keyboard includes 49, 61, or 88 keys 122. The configuration of each key 122 can be the same as that of a traditional keyboard, so it will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, one end of each key 122 is connected to the keyboard support 110 by a spring, and the other end of the key 122 extends out from the keyboard support 110.
[0057] Please refer to Figure 3 The illustration shows a partial exploded view of an electronic keyboard key module 100 according to at least one embodiment, with a conductive film 140 disposed below the keyboard 120. Figure 4 The illustrated partial perspective view shows the conductive film 140 in at least one embodiment, please refer to it as well. Figure 3 and Figure 4 A conductive film 140 is disposed below the key height limiting posts 124 of the keyboard 120, and this conductive film 140 includes an insulating layer 142 and a plurality of conductive blocks 144. The insulating layer 142 is disposed below the key height limiting posts 124 of the keyboard 120, and the conductive blocks 144 are disposed on the insulating layer 142 at intervals. Specifically, the conductive blocks 144 are disposed on the lower surface 142f of the insulating layer 142, and this lower surface 142f faces away from the keyboard 120 and faces the pressure sensing circuit board 160. It is particularly noteworthy that the conductive blocks 144 are disposed one-to-one below the keys 122, and the insulating layer 142 is located between the key height limiting posts 124 and the conductive blocks 144.
[0058] Please refer to Figure 4 The illustration shows a partial perspective view of the conductive film 140 in at least one embodiment. The insulating layer 142 of the conductive film 140 may be a polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, and the thickness of this insulating layer 142 may, for example, be between 0.06 mm and 0.07 mm. The material of the conductive blocks 144 of the conductive film 140 may include, but is not limited to, carbon, graphene, or similar conductive materials, and the thickness of the conductive blocks 144 may, for example, be between 0.01 mm and 0.04 mm. Specifically, the conductive film 140 may be a polyester film (Mylar) coated with a conductive material (e.g., toner), and this conductive material may be formed on the polyester film by, for example, screen printing.
[0059] Please refer to this as well. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pressure sensing circuit board 160 is disposed below the conductive film 140, and the conductive film 140 is located between the keyboard 120 and the pressure sensing circuit board 160. Also, please refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 5 ,in Figure 5 A partial top view of the pressure sensing circuit board 160 is shown. The pressure sensing circuit board 160 includes a plurality of electrode units 162, which are disposed one-to-one below the conductive blocks 144 of the conductive film 140.
[0060] Please return Figure 3In detail, the electronic keyboard module 100 of this embodiment may further include a plurality of elastic bodies 180, which are disposed one-to-one below the keyboard height limiting post 124 and located between the keyboard height limiting post 124 and the conductive film 140. When at least one keyboard key 122 is in a depressed state, the keyboard height limiting post 124 below the keyboard key 122 in the depressed state can contact the conductive film 140 through the elastic body 180, so that the conductive block 144 corresponding to the keyboard key 122 (i.e., the keyboard key 122 in the depressed state) can contact and be electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit 162.
[0061] In other words, each key 122 in the depressed state can apply pressure (i.e., downward pressure) to the insulating layer 142 of the conductive film 140 through the elastic body 180 below it, thereby causing the conductive block 144 below the insulating layer 142 to displace (downward) and directly contact the electrode unit 162 of the pressure sensing circuit board 160, achieving an electrical connection between the conductive block 144 and the electrode unit 162. The elastic body 180 may be, but is not limited to, elastic materials such as silicone.
[0062] However, in other embodiments, the electronic keyboard module 100 may not include the elastomer 180. In other words, the key height limiting post 124 below the key 122 in the pressed state can directly abut against the conductive film 140 and apply pressure (i.e., downward pressure) to the insulating layer 142 of the conductive film 140, thereby causing the conductive block 144 below the insulating layer 142 to move downward and directly contact the pressure sensing circuit board 160, so as to achieve an electrical connection between the conductive block 144 and the pressure sensing circuit board 160.
[0063] Figure 6A A side view of a piano key 122 in a depressed state is shown in at least one embodiment. When one of the piano keys 122 is in a depressed state, the key height limiting post 124 below the key 122 abuts against the conductive film 140, so that the conductive block 144 corresponding to the key 122 contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit 162. Figure 6B A schematic diagram illustrating the change in the contact area between the elastomer 180 and the electrode unit 162 in at least one embodiment is shown. The aforementioned compressed state is maintained from the initial time t0 to the completion time t1, and between the initial time t0 and the completion time t1, the contact area CA between one of the elastomers 180 and one of the electrode units 162 gradually increases.
[0064] In detail, when the piano key 122 is subjected to a downward pressure, the area of the elastic body 180 near the keyboard support 110 will first contact the electrode unit 162. As the downward pressure increases, the contact area will gradually expand along the pressure direction S1, that is, from the initial time t0 to the completion time t1. The maximum contact area CA can be less than or equal to the area of the plane 124p of the key height limiting post 124.
[0065] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the electronic keyboard key module 100 also includes an aftertouch sound module 190, which is electrically connected to the pressure sensing circuit board 160. The aftertouch sound module 190 is used to receive piezoelectric signals from the pressure sensing circuit board 160. Specifically, when the conductive block 144 contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit 162, the pressure sensing circuit board 160 outputs a piezoelectric signal. This piezoelectric signal can be transmitted to the aftertouch sound module 190. After receiving the piezoelectric signal, the aftertouch sound module 190 can convert the piezoelectric signal into an aftertouch sound through the sound effect function program. It is worth mentioning that since the conductive blocks 144 in the conductive film 140 correspond to each electrode unit 162, each electrode unit 162 can generate an independent piezoelectric signal, and the aftertouch sound module 190 converts it into its own aftertouch sound.
[0066] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Partial perspective views of the electronic keyboard key module 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively, and Figure 7A Includes piano keys 122 and key height limiting posts 124, and Figure 7B This includes elastomer 180. For example... Figure 7A As shown, each key height limiting post 124 has a plane 124p, and this plane 124p faces the conductive film 140. The area of the plane 124p can be greater than or equal to the area of the conductive block 144. On the other hand, as... Figure 7B As shown, in embodiments including elastomers 180, each elastomer 180 has a plane 180p. This plane 180p faces the conductive film 140, and the area of the plane 180p may be greater than or equal to the area of the conductive block 144.
[0067] In this way, when one of the piano keys 122 is in a depressed state, the plane 124p of the key height limiting post 124 can almost completely overlap with the conductive block 144 of the conductive film 140, and the plane 180p of the elastic body 180 can also almost completely overlap with the conductive block 144 of the conductive film 140, so that the depressed key height limiting post 124 can apply force evenly to the entire area of the conductive block 144. However, this disclosure is not limited to the above. In some embodiments, the area of the plane 124p of the key height limiting post 124 can also be smaller than the area of the conductive block 144, and the area of the plane 180p of the elastic body 180 can also be smaller than the area of the conductive block 144.
[0068] In addition, please return to Figure 4The insulating layer 142 in this embodiment may further include a plurality of limiting grooves 142c, which are disposed one-to-one between the keyboard keys 122 of the keyboard 120 and the electrode units 162 of the pressure sensing circuit board 160. Please refer to the following: Figure 2 ,in Figure 4 The lower surface 142f of the middle insulating layer 142 faces the pressure sensing circuit board 160. The opening OP1 of each limiting groove 142c faces the pressure sensing circuit board 160, and the conductive blocks 144 are disposed one-to-one on the bottom surface BS1 of each limiting groove 142c. Specifically, to prevent the conductive blocks 144 from contacting the electrode unit 162 before the conductive film 140 is deformed by external force, the distance d1 between the opening OP1 of the limiting groove 142c and the bottom surface BS1 must be greater than the thickness (not shown) of the conductive block 144. For example, when the thickness of the conductive block 144 falls between 0.01mm and 0.04mm, the distance d1 between the opening OP1 of the limiting groove 142c and the bottom surface BS1 can fall between 0.06mm and 0.07mm.
[0069] Please refer to Figure 7B The electronic keyboard key module 100 also includes limiting elastic posts 185, which are spaced apart from the elastic body 180, and the height h1 of the limiting elastic posts 185 is greater than the height h2 of the elastic body 180. Thus, in the depressed state, the key height limiting post 124 abuts against the limiting elastic posts 185. Specifically, when the key height limiting post 124 is depressed, it first encounters the limiting elastic posts 185, temporarily blocking the key height limiting post 124. However, as the depressed state continues and the force exerted by the key height limiting post 124 on the limiting elastic posts 185 gradually increases, the key height limiting post 124 will continue to be depressed until it abuts against the elastic body 180.
[0070] In summary, because the conductive blocks of the conductive film in the electronic keyboard key module are positioned one-to-one below the key height limiting posts, when a key is pressed down, the key height limiting posts are driven downwards to contact the conductive film, pushing the conductive blocks distributed within the conductive film downwards towards the pressure sensing circuit board. This allows the conductive blocks to electrically connect to the electrode units on the pressure sensing circuit board. Since each key corresponds to one conductive block and one electrode unit, each key can produce an independent aftertouch sound, increasing the richness of the playing performance. Furthermore, the contact areas between the key height limiting posts (via an elastomer) and the conductive blocks are approximately equal. This ensures that the force exerted by the conductive blocks against the electrode units is evenly distributed, thereby improving the stability of the aftertouch sound.
[0071] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An electronic keyboard module, characterized by comprising: The application includes: a keyboard support; a keyboard disposed on the keyboard support, and the keyboard includes: a plurality of keys; a plurality of key limit posts disposed one-to-one on the lower surface of the keys; a conductive film disposed below the keyboard, and the conductive film includes: an insulating layer disposed below the key limit posts of the keyboard; a plurality of conductive blocks disposed one-to-one on the insulating layer and below the keys, wherein the insulating layer is located between the key limit posts and the conductive blocks; and a pressure sensing circuit board disposed below the conductive film, and the conductive film is located between the keyboard and the pressure sensing circuit board, wherein the pressure sensing circuit board includes: a plurality of electrode units disposed one-to-one below the conductive blocks of the conductive film; wherein when at least one of the keys is in a depressed state, the key limit post below the at least one of the keys abuts the conductive film, so that the conductive block corresponding to the at least one of the keys contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit.
2. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, The application also includes: a touch sound effect module electrically connected to the pressure sensing circuit board and configured to receive a piezoelectric signal from the pressure sensing circuit board; wherein when the conductive block contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit, the pressure sensing circuit board outputs the piezoelectric signal.
3. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, Each of the key limit posts has a plane, and the plane faces the conductive film, wherein the area of the plane is greater than or equal to the area of each of the conductive blocks.
4. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the conductive block ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm.
5. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, The insulating layer is a polyester film.
6. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, The insulating layer also includes: a plurality of limiting grooves disposed one-to-one between the electrode units and the keys, wherein the opening of each of the limiting grooves faces the pressure sensing circuit board, and the conductive block is disposed one-to-one on the bottom surface of each of the limiting grooves.
7. The electronic key module of claim 6, wherein, The distance between the opening and the bottom surface of each of the limiting grooves is greater than the thickness of the conductive block.
8. The electronic key module of claim 7, wherein, The distance between the opening and the bottom surface of each of the limiting grooves ranges from 0.06 mm to 0.07 mm.
9. The electronic key module of claim 1, wherein, The application also includes: a plurality of elastic bodies disposed one-to-one below the key limit posts and located between the key limit posts and the conductive film, wherein when at least one of the keys is in the depressed state, the key limit post below the at least one of the keys abuts the conductive film through the elastic body, so that the conductive block corresponding to the at least one of the keys contacts and is electrically connected to the corresponding electrode unit.
10. The electronic key module of claim 9, wherein, The depressed state is maintained from an initial time to a completion time, and between the initial time and the completion time, the contact area between one of the elastic bodies and one of the electrode units gradually increases.
11. The electronic key module of claim 9, wherein, Each of the elastic bodies has a plane, and the plane faces the conductive film, wherein the area of the plane is greater than or equal to the area of each of the conductive blocks.
12. The electronic key module of claim 9, wherein, The application also includes: A limiting elastic column is arranged at intervals in the elastic body, and the height of the limiting elastic column is greater than the height of the elastic body, wherein in the depressed state, the key limiting column abuts against the limiting elastic column.