Sound-emitting devices and electronic keyboard instruments

Abstract

To provide a sound-emitting device and an electronic keyboard instrument that allow for miniaturization of the housing while arranging the control unit on the sound-emitting side of the sound-emitting element. [Solution] The electronic keyboard instrument 1,101,201 comprises a case 20, speakers 50L, 50R provided inside the case 20 and having sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1, a first operating section 31 and a second operating section 32 provided on the upper surface 20a of the case 20, and a first circuit board 41 and a second circuit board 42 provided inside the case 20 on the sound-emitting direction side of the speakers 50L, 50R, facing the sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1 and spaced apart from the sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1. The first operating section 31 and the second operating section 32 are provided such that at least a portion of them overlaps with the speakers 50L, 50R along the sound-emitting direction, and the case 20 is provided with a left opening 20c1, a rear first opening 20f1, a rear second opening 20f2, and a right opening 20d1 that open in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound-emitting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound emitting device and an electronic keyboard instrument.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a sound emitting device such as an electronic keyboard instrument, there is known one provided with a sound hole for emitting sound from a sound emitting member such as a speaker to the outside of a housing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic keyboard instrument including keys and a speaker provided inside a housing. In this electronic keyboard instrument, the speaker is provided on the back panel side of the housing. A porous speaker cover as a sound hole is attached to the back panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the electronic keyboard instrument disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, since the speaker is provided inside the housing so as to emit sound toward the back side of the housing, the size of the back side of the housing becomes large, and it has been difficult to reduce the size of the housing. On the other hand, if the speaker is provided flat inside the housing to reduce the size of the housing, the upper surface of the housing overlaps with the sound emission direction side of the speaker, so that an operation unit for performing an operation for executing a function of the sound emitting device such as a volume adjustment button cannot be freely provided on the upper surface of the housing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sound emitting device and an electronic keyboard instrument capable of arranging an operation unit on the sound emission direction side of a sound emitting member while reducing the size of a housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The sound-emitting device of the present invention comprises a housing, a sound-emitting member provided inside the housing and having a sound-emitting port, an operating member provided on the outer surface of the housing, and a circuit board provided inside the housing on the sound-emitting direction side of the sound-emitting member, facing the sound-emitting port and spaced apart from the sound-emitting port, wherein the operating member is provided such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the sound-emitting member along the sound-emitting direction, and the housing is provided with an opening that opens in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound-emitting direction.

[0007] The electronic keyboard instrument of the present invention comprises the above-described sound emission device and a keyboard provided at a position that does not overlap with the sound emission member and the circuit board in the sound emission direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sound-emitting device and an electronic keyboard instrument that can arrange the operating section on the sound-emitting side of the sound-emitting member while miniaturizing the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is an overall perspective view of the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment, viewed from the front left upper side, and (b) is an overall perspective view of the electronic keyboard instrument according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear right lower side. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of an electronic keyboard instrument according to an embodiment, with the upper case removed. [Figure 3] A plan view of an electronic keyboard instrument according to an embodiment, where (a) is a plan view with the upper case and control unit removed, and (b) is a plan view with the printed circuit board and keyboard further removed from the state in (a). [Figure 4] (a) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the IVa-IVa section in Figure 3(a), and (b) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the IVb-IVb section in Figure 3(a). [Figure 5](a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the E1 portion enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 4(a), and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the E2 portion enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 4(b). [Figure 6] (a) is an overall perspective view of the electronic keyboard instrument according to the first modified example, viewed from the rear left upper side, and (b) is an overall perspective view of the electronic keyboard instrument according to the second modified example, viewed from the rear left upper side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The electronic keyboard instrument (sound-emitting device) 1 shown in Figure 1(a) comprises a keyboard 10 having a plurality of keys 12 consisting of white keys and black keys, and a case (housing) 20 that surrounds and holds the keyboard 10. The electronic keyboard instrument 1 is a small electronic keyboard instrument 1 with a number of keys 12 equivalent to two octaves. In the following description, the arrangement direction of the plurality of keys 12 on the keyboard 10 will be the left-right direction (the left side in Figure 1(a) will be the left direction), the extension direction of each key 12 will be the front-back direction (the front side in Figure 1(a) will be the front direction), and the vertical direction of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 (the thickness direction of the case 20) will be the vertical direction (the upper side in Figure 1(a) will be the up direction).

[0011] As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the case 20 is a roughly rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction running horizontally when viewed from above and below, and has six faces (top face 20a, bottom face 20b, left side face 20c, right side face 20d, front side face 20e, and rear side face 20f). Also, as shown in Figure 2, the case 20 comprises an upper case 22 including five faces excluding the bottom face (top face 20a, left side face 20c, right side face 20d, front side face 20e, and rear side face 20f), and a lower case 24 including the bottom face 20b. Approximately half of the front area of ​​the upper case 22 is provided with a keyboard placement opening 22a that opens vertically so that the top of the keyboard 10 is exposed when the keyboard 10 is placed inside.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 2, the rear area of ​​the keyboard 10 inside the case 20 is provided with a plurality of operating parts (operating members) 31, 32, and 33 for operating various functions of the electronic keyboard instrument 1. Each of these operating parts is exposed upward from the top surface 20a of the case 20. Specifically, the first operating part 31, including, for example, the power button and volume button of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, is exposed on the rear left side of the top surface 20a; the second operating part 32, including, for example, a group of effect buttons for applying various effects to the sound, is exposed on the rear right side of the top surface 20a; and the third operating part 33, including, for example, display parts 33a and 33b for displaying the playing status of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, is exposed approximately in the rear center of the top surface 20a.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the top surface 20a of the case 20 is provided with a first opening 20a1, a second opening 20a2, and a third opening 20a3, corresponding to the first operation section 31, the second operation section 32, and the third operation section 33, respectively. A communication unit 34 is provided at the rear end of the case 20, near the second operation section 32, for wirelessly connecting the electronic keyboard instrument 1 to an external communication device. Note that the connection between the electronic keyboard instrument 1 and the external communication device is not limited to wireless connection. A recess 21 is provided on the rear side surface 20f of the case 20, corresponding to the communication unit 34, so that the communication unit 34 is exposed to the outside of the case 20. In the space between the keyboard 10 and the bottom surface 20b, a key-pressing mechanism 39 (not shown) is provided to achieve key-press intervals and timbres when the performer presses each key of the keyboard 10.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), a first circuit board 41 with printed wiring for receiving operations from the first operation unit 31 is provided below the first operation unit 31. The first circuit board 41 is roughly L-shaped, and is positioned with both surfaces facing vertically, with its corner located in the left rear corner inside the case 20. Also, a second circuit board 42 with printed wiring for receiving operations from the second operation unit 32 is provided below the second operation unit 32. The second circuit board 42 is a long, rectangular shape, and is positioned with both surfaces facing vertically, with its right rear end inside the case 20.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), speaker fixing parts 26L and 26R are provided on both the left and right sides behind the keyboard 10 inside the case 20, respectively, for fixing the two speakers (sound-emitting members) 50L and 50R described below. Speakers 50L and 50R are mounted in a flat position on the inner surface of the lower case 24 at each speaker fixing part 26L and 26R. When both speakers 50R and 50L are positioned flat, their roughly frustoconical sound-emitting parts 52L and 52R are sandwiched between the upper case 22 and the lower case 24 with their sound-emitting openings 52L1 and 52R1 facing upwards. The sound from each sound-emitting part 52L and 52R is emitted upwards (in the direction of sound emission) from the sound-emitting openings 52L1 and 52R1.

[0016] One speaker 50L (hereinafter also referred to as the "left speaker 50L") is located in the left rear corner of the inner surface of the lower case 24. The other speaker 50R (hereinafter also referred to as the "right speaker 50R") is located in the right rear corner of the inner surface of the lower case 24. The left speaker 50L is located below a portion of the first circuit board 41, and the right speaker 50R is located below a portion of the second circuit board 42. In other words, the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32 are positioned such that at least a portion of them overlaps with the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 and the speakers 50L and 50R along the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L and 50R. For this reason, the keyboard 10 described above is positioned so as not to overlap with the speakers 50L and 50R, the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 in the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L and 50R.

[0017] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first substrate 41 is provided above the left speaker 50L, spaced apart from its sound outlet 52L1, and the second substrate 42 is provided above the right speaker 50R, spaced apart from its sound outlet 52R1. In other words, the first substrate 41 is provided so as to face the sound outlet 52L1 of the left speaker 50L in the vertical direction, and the second substrate 42 is provided so as to face the sound outlet 52R1 of the right speaker 50R in the vertical direction. The width W1 of the gap G between the sound outlet 52L1 (sound outlet 52R1) and the first substrate 41 (second substrate 42) (see Figure 5(a)) is, for example, 2 mm. The first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 block the upper side (sound emission direction side) of each speaker 50L, 50R.

[0018] On the left side surface 20c and the rear side surface 20f of the upper case 22, at positions facing the left speaker 50L inside the case 20, horizontally long substantially rectangular openings 20c1 and 20f1 are respectively provided (hereinafter referred to as the "left opening 20c1" and the "rear first opening 20f1") (see FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). Also, on the rear side surface 20f and the right side surface 20d of the upper case 22, at positions facing the right speaker 50R inside the case 20, horizontally long substantially rectangular openings 20f2 and 20d1 are respectively provided (hereinafter referred to as the "rear second opening 20f2" and the "right opening 20d1") (see FIG. 1(b)). The left opening 20c1 and the right opening 20d1 open in the left-right direction, and the rear first opening 20f1 and the rear second opening 20f2 open in the front-rear direction. In other words, each of the openings 20c1, 20d1, 20f1, and 20f2 opens in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sound emission direction of each speaker 50L, 50R. Note that the opening shapes of each of the openings 20c1, 20d1, 20f1, and 20f2 are not limited.

[0019] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and (b), each of the openings 20c1, 20d1, 20f1, and 20f2 is provided at a height substantially equal to the gap G between the sound emission ports of each speaker 50L, 50R and each substrate 41, 42 in the vertical direction. In other words, the gap G between the sound emission ports 52L1, 50R1 of each speaker 50L, 50R and each substrate 41, 42 is provided so as to overlap in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L, 50R. In the case 20, only the openings 20c1, 20d1, 20f1, and 20f2, which are large openings communicating between the inside and outside of the case 20, are provided, and each of the openings 20c1, 20d1, 20f1, and 20f2 functions as a sound hole for emitting the sound emitted from each speaker 50L, 50R to the outside of the case 20.

[0020] Next, the sound emission path P1 of the sound emitted from each of the speakers 50L and 50R will be described. The sound emitted from the left speaker 50L reaches the outside of the case 20 through the sound emission path P1 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and (b). That is, the sound emitted from the left speaker 50L goes upward from the sound emission port 52L1 and reaches the first substrate 41 above the sound emission port 52L1. The sound that reaches the first substrate 41 hits the first substrate 41 and turns at a substantially right angle, and is effectively emitted to the outside (left side, rear side) of the case 20 through the left opening 20c1 and the rear first opening 20f1. Although not shown, regarding the sound emission path of the sound emitted from the right speaker 50R, similar to the left speaker 50L, it goes upward from the sound emission port 52R1, reaches the second substrate 42, turns at a substantially right angle, and is effectively emitted to the outside of the case 20 through the rear second opening 20f2 and the right opening 20d1.

[0021] Next, referring to FIG. 6, the first modification example and the second modification example of the present embodiment will be described. The electronic keyboard instrument 101 according to the first modification example and the electronic keyboard instrument 201 according to the second modification example have different opening shapes of the openings 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, 220c1, 220f1, 220f2 provided on the left side surface 20c, the rear side surface 20f, and the right side surface of the upper case 22 from those of the above embodiment. In FIGS. 6(a) and (b), although the right side surface of the case 20 is not shown, the openings provided on the right side surface also have the same configuration as the openings 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, 220c1, 220f1, 220f2 provided on the left side surface 20c and the rear side surface 20f. Regarding other configurations and operational effects, since they are the same as those of the above embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6(a), in the first modified electronic keyboard instrument 101, the left opening 120c1, the rear first opening 120f1, and the rear second opening 120f2 are made up of multiple horizontally elongated slit-shaped openings. Also, as shown in Figure 6(b), in the second modified electronic keyboard instrument 201, the left opening 220c1, the rear first opening 220f1, and the rear second opening 220f2 are made up of multiple small, substantially circular openings. In the first and second modified examples, by doing so, the opening areas of each opening 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, 220c1, 220f1, and 220f2 are smaller compared to the configuration of the above embodiment, so that the sound emission effect can be maintained while maintaining the strength of the case 20.

[0023] As described above, the electronic keyboard instruments 1,101,201 according to this embodiment include a case 20, speakers 50L, 50R provided inside the case 20 and having sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1, a first operating section 31 and a second operating section 32 provided on the upper surface 20a of the case 20, and a first substrate 41 and a second substrate 42 provided inside the case 20 on the sound-emitting direction side of the speakers 50L, 50R, facing the sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1 and spaced apart from the sound-emitting ports 52L1, 52R1. The first operating section 31 and the second operating section 32 are provided such that at least a portion of them overlaps with the speakers 50L, 50R along the sound-emitting direction, and the case 20 is provided with a left opening 20c1, a rear first opening 20f1, a rear second opening 20f2, and a right opening 20d1 that open in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound-emitting direction.

[0024] In the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, configured as described above, the sound emitted from the speakers 50L and 50R is emitted to the outside of the case 20 through the left opening 20c1, the rear first opening 20f1, the rear second opening 20f2, and the right opening 20d1, which open in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of sound emission. For this reason, even if the speakers 50L and 50R are placed flat inside the case 20, circuit boards such as the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 can be arranged on the side of the speaker 50L and 50R that is in the direction of sound emission, and the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32, which are controlled by the circuit board, can be arranged on the outer surface of the case 20 that is located on the side of the speaker 50L and 50R that is in the direction of sound emission. In this way, the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment allows for miniaturization of the case 20 while arranging the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32 on the side of the speaker 50L and 50R that is in the direction of sound emission. As a result, even when relatively large speakers 50L and 50R are installed, it is possible to realize an electronic keyboard instrument 1 in which the case 20 can be made thinner.

[0025] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32 are provided so as to overlap with the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 along the direction of sound emission. With this configuration, compared to the conventional configuration, it becomes easier to arrange the operation members such as the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32 near the corners of the upper surface 20a of the case 20, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of members provided on the upper surface 20a of the case 20.

[0026] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, the gap G between the sound-emitting holes 52L1, 52R1 and the first and second substrates 41 and 42 is provided so as to overlap with the openings 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, and 20d1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L and 50R. With this configuration, the sound emitted from the speakers 50L and 50R that reaches the first and second substrates 41 and 42 is bent at substantially a right angle, making it easier for the sound to be emitted from the openings 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, and 20d1 to the outside of the case 20. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the acoustic characteristics of the sound emitted from each opening 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, and 20d1.

[0027] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, when the thickness direction of the case 20 is considered as the vertical direction of the case 20, the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L and 50R coincides with the upward direction. With this configuration, it is possible to realize an electronic keyboard instrument 1 that can arrange the first and second operation units on the upper surface of the case 20 while miniaturizing the case 20.

[0028] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, when the thickness direction of the case 20 is considered as the vertical direction of the case 20, each opening 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, 20d1 is provided to open in at least one direction of the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the case 20. With this configuration, when the sound emission direction of the speakers 50L, 50R is upward, each opening 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, 20d1 can be provided to open in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound emission direction of the case 20. Therefore, the sound emitted from the speakers 50L, 50R can be effectively emitted to the outside of the case 20 from each opening 20c1, 20f1, 20f2, 20d1.

[0029] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of this embodiment, when the thickness direction of the case 20 is considered as the vertical direction of the case 20, the case 20 includes an upper case 22 and a lower case 24 that are provided to sandwich the speakers 50L and 50R in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to provide a specific configuration for arranging the speakers 50L and 50R in a way that allows the first operation unit 31 and the second operation unit 32 to be placed on the sound emission side of the speakers 50L and 50R while miniaturizing the case 20.

[0030] Furthermore, in the electronic keyboard instruments 101 and 201 according to the first and second modified examples of this embodiment, the openings 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, 220c1, 220f1, and 220f2 consist of multiple slit-shaped openings or multiple substantially circular openings. With this configuration, for example, compared to a configuration in which each opening is provided as a single horizontally elongated substantially rectangular opening, the opening area of ​​each opening 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, 220c1, 220f1, and 220f2 is smaller, so that the sound emission effect can be maintained while maintaining the strength of the case 20. In other words, it is possible to balance the acoustic characteristics of the sound emitted from each opening 120c1, 120f1, 120f2, and 220c1, 220f1, and 220f2 with the strength of the case 20.

[0031] Furthermore, the electronic keyboard instruments 1,101,201 of this embodiment include the speakers 50L, 50R and the keyboard 10, which is positioned so as not to overlap with the speakers 50L, 50R and the first and second circuit boards 41 and 42 in the sound emission direction. With this configuration, it is possible to realize electronic keyboard instruments 1,101,201 in which the first and second operation units 31 and 32 are provided on the sound emission side of the speakers 50L, 50R and so as not to overlap with the keyboard 10, while miniaturizing the case 20.

[0032] The embodiments described above are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. For example, in the above embodiments, a configuration in which each opening opens in a direction perpendicular to the sound emission direction of the speaker (front-to-back and left-to-right directions) was illustrated, but for example, a configuration in which each opening opens in a direction slightly inclined to the above perpendicular direction (diagonally to the side) is also possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1: Electronic keyboard instrument, 20: Case, 20c1: Left opening, 20d1: Right opening, 20f1: Rear first opening, 20f2: Right second opening, 31: First control unit, 32: Second control unit, 41: First circuit board, 42: Second circuit board, 50L: Left speaker, 50R: Right speaker, 52L1, 52R1: Sound outlets

Claims

1. The casing and A sound-emitting member having a sound-emitting port is provided inside the aforementioned housing, An operating member provided on the outer surface of the housing, Within the housing, a circuit board is provided on the sound emission side of the sound emission member, facing the sound emission opening and spaced apart from the sound emission opening, The operating member is provided such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the sound emitting member along the sound emission direction. The housing is provided with an opening that opens in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound emission direction. Sound emitting device.

2. The operating member is provided so as to overlap with the circuit board along the sound emission direction. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

3. The gap between the sound vent and the circuit board is provided so as to overlap with the opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sound emission direction. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

4. When the thickness direction of the housing is defined as the vertical direction of the housing, the sound emission direction coincides with the upward direction. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

5. When the thickness direction of the housing is defined as the vertical direction of the housing, the opening is provided to open in at least one of the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the housing. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

6. When the thickness direction of the housing is defined as the vertical direction of the housing, the housing includes an upper case and a lower case that are provided to sandwich the sound-emitting member in the vertical direction. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned opening consists of a plurality of slit-shaped openings or a plurality of substantially circular openings. The sound emission device according to claim 1.

8. A sound emission device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A keyboard provided in a position that does not overlap with the sound-emitting member and the circuit board in the sound-emitting direction, An electronic keyboard instrument equipped with these features.

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