Method for mounting electronic wind instruments and heating elements

Abstract

To provide an electronic wind instrument and a method for attaching a heating element that can improve the accuracy of exhaled breath detection. [Solution] By heating the substrate 34 that forms the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a with the heater 341, saliva adhering to each bent channel 314a, 315a can be dried, and the generation of moisture due to condensation in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed. As a result, moisture is prevented from remaining in each bent channel 314a, 315a, thereby preventing the flow of exhaled air from being obstructed by that moisture, and preventing the moisture from flowing downstream (towards the temperature sensor 360). Therefore, the flow of exhaled air blown into the inlet 310, 311 can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic wind instrument and a method for attaching a heating element, and more particularly to an electronic wind instrument and a method for attaching a heating element that can improve the detection accuracy of exhalation.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electronic wind instrument in which an area partitioning member E is incorporated inside a pipe body P having a mouthpiece 1. In the area partitioning member E, a first breath introduction area 4 and a second breath introduction area 5 extending in both axial directions of the pipe body P from the mouthpiece 1 are formed, and pressure sensors 8 and 9 for detecting exhalation blown into the mouthpiece 1 are provided in the first and second breath introduction areas 4 and 5. Since the pressure sensors 8 and 9 are provided at the axial ends of the first and second breath introduction areas 4 and 5, it is possible to prevent saliva contained in the performer's exhalation from being directly blown onto the pressure sensors 8 and 9.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, saliva contained in exhalation or moisture generated by condensation of exhalation may accumulate in the flow path between the mouthpiece 1 and the pressure sensors 8 and 9. When such moisture retention occurs, in addition to the flow of exhalation in the flow path being blocked, the moisture retained in the flow path may flow due to the pressure of the exhalation and adhere to the pressure sensors 8 and 9. Therefore, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of exhalation by the pressure sensors 8 and 9 is reduced.

[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an electronic wind instrument and a method for attaching a heating element that can improve the accuracy of exhaled breath detection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this objective, the electronic wind instrument of the present invention comprises a housing, an air intake port provided in the housing, a flow path extending from the air intake port into the interior of the housing, a sensor provided in the flow path for detecting exhaled breath, and a heating element for heating the flow path upstream of the sensor.

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for mounting a heating element in an electronic wind instrument, which comprises a housing, an exhalation port provided in the housing, a flow path extending from the exhalation port into the interior of the housing, and a sensor provided in the flow path for detecting exhalation, wherein the heating element that heats the flow path upstream of the sensor is attached to a wall surrounding the flow path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] (a) is a perspective view of the electronic wind instrument according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the electronic wind instrument showing the instrument body disassembled. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the air intake unit. [Figure 3] (a) is a perspective view of the lip plate seen from the inside, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the inlet unit. [Figure 4] Figure 3(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the inlet unit along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit along the line Va-Va in Figure 4, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit along the line Vb-Vb in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an electronic wind instrument along the line VI-VI in Figure 1(b). [Figure 7](a) is a cross-sectional view of an electronic wind instrument along the line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 6, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an electronic wind instrument along the line VIIb-VIIb in Figure 7(a). [Figure 8] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument of the third embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument of the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. First, the overall configuration of the electronic wind instrument 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the electronic wind instrument 1 of the first embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the electronic wind instrument 1 showing the instrument body 2 disassembled. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece unit 3. Note that Figure 2 shows the state in which the O-ring 39 (see Figure 1) attached to the mouthpiece unit 3 has been removed. Furthermore, in the following description, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the electronic wind instrument 1 will be described as the radial direction, and the direction around the axis will be described as the circumferential direction.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic wind instrument 1 is an electronic instrument that imitates an acoustic wind instrument (in this embodiment, a flute). The electronic wind instrument 1 has an instrument body 2 that imitates the main tube of a flute, and a mouthpiece unit 3 that imitates the head joint is attached to the axial end of the instrument body 2.

[0011] The instrument body 2 comprises a roughly semi-cylindrical upper housing 21 (first housing) and a lower housing 22 (second housing), with multiple keys 20 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21. A cylindrical projection 210 (boss) is integrally formed at the end of the upper housing 21 on the side of the mouthpiece unit 3 in the axial direction. The projection 210 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 toward the lower housing 22, and a through hole 220 for passing a bolt B1 is formed in the lower housing 22 at a position corresponding to the tip of the projection 210.

[0012] An insertion hole 30 is formed at the end of the mouthpiece unit 3 on the instrument body 2 side in the axial direction for inserting the projection 210 of the upper housing 21, and a bolt hole (fastening hole) (not shown) is formed at the tip of the projection 210 of the upper housing 21. With the projection 210 of the upper housing 21 inserted into the insertion hole 30 of the mouthpiece unit 3, the mouthpiece unit 3 is attached to the instrument body 2 by screwing a bolt B1, which is passed through the through hole 220, into the projection 210.

[0013] When the mouthpiece unit 3 is attached to the instrument body 2, the cylindrical end (second cylinder) of the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotatably inserted into the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion (first cylinder) formed by stacking the respective housings 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2. An O-ring 39 (sealing material) made of rubber or elastomer is fitted to this insertion portion of the mouthpiece unit 3, and this O-ring 39 suppresses rattling when the mouthpiece unit 3 rotates.

[0014] A lip plate 31 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle unit 3, and an upper nozzle 310 (first nozzle) and a lower nozzle 311 (second nozzle) are formed on the lip plate 31, arranged circumferentially. Each of these nozzles 310, 311 is a rectangular opening formed horizontally in the axial direction of the nozzle unit 3.

[0015] The electronic wind instrument 1 is played by the performer operating the key 20 and switching (differentiating) the direction of exhalation to each of the mouthpieces 310 and 311. When playing in this manner, the orientation of each mouthpiece 310 and 311 (the relative position between the key 20 and the mouthpieces 310 and 311) can be adjusted by rotating the mouthpiece unit 3 relative to the instrument body 2. This allows the performer to change the positional relationship between the hand operating the key 20 and each mouthpiece 310 and 311 according to their preference.

[0016] In the internal space surrounded by the respective housing bodies 21 and 22 of the instrument main body 2, electronic components such as a substrate 23 are stored. The substrate 23 is provided with a CPU, and musical sounds are generated by the sound generation process executed by this CPU based on the operation state of the above-described key 20 and the state of blowing air (amount of blowing) into each of the blowing ports 310 and 311.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the blowing port unit 3 includes a substantially semi-cylindrical blowing-side housing 32 (third housing) and an exhaust-side housing 33 (fourth housing). Each of these housing bodies 32 and 33 is a resin part provided with a large-diameter portion 320 and 330 having a relatively large diameter, and a small-diameter portion 321 and 331 formed at one axial end side of the large-diameter portion 320 and 330 and having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 320 and 330.

[0018] The large-diameter portion 320 and the small-diameter portion 321 of the blowing-side housing 32 are integrally formed, and similarly, the large-diameter portion 330 and the small-diameter portion 331 of the exhaust-side housing 33 are integrally formed. Semi-elliptical cutouts 321a and 331a are formed at both circumferential ends of the small-diameter portions 321 and 331 of each of the housing bodies 32 and 33, and by overlapping the housing bodies 32 and 33 with each other, a pair of the above-described insertion holes 30 (see FIG. 1(b)) are formed at positions facing each other in the radial direction.

[0019] Grooves 3'21b and 331b extending over both circumferential ends are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portions 321 and 331 of each of the housing bodies 32 and 33. An annular O-ring 39 (see FIG. 1(b)) is mounted in these grooves 321b and 331b.

[0020] A mounting hole 322 for attaching the lip plate 31 is formed in the large-diameter portion 320 of the blowing-side housing 32, and a substrate 34 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 322a of this mounting hole 322 and the lip plate 31. An opening (hole) leading to the internal space S1 (see FIG. 5) of the blowing port unit 3 is formed in the bottom surface 322a. The substrate 34 is for heating the lip plate 31 to remove moisture, and details of the configuration regarding this heating will be described later.

[0021] A boss 332 for fixing the lip plate 31 is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 330 of the exhaust-side housing 33. The boss 332 is a cylindrical projection that rises from the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 330 towards the blow-in-side housing 32. An insertion hole 332a for inserting a bolt B2 is formed in the center of the boss 332, and a similar insertion hole 340 is also formed in the base plate 34 (bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322). By screwing the bolt B2 inserted into the respective insertion holes 332a and 340 of the boss 332 and base plate 34 into the bolt hole 312 (see Figure 3) of the lip plate 31, the lip plate 31 is fixed to the mounting hole 322 (outer circumferential surface) of the blow-in-side housing 32.

[0022] The bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322 has housing-side passages 323a and 323b formed to allow exhaled air blown in from each of the inlet ports 310 and 311 to pass through. The housing-side passages 323a and 323b are passages that extend radially from the blowing-side housing 32 (in the direction in which the performer blows exhaled air into the inlet ports 310 and 311). The housing-side passages 323a and 323b are formed as a pair, spaced apart in the axial direction of the blowing-side housing 32 (inlet unit 3), and notches 343 (through holes) are formed in the substrate 34 at positions corresponding to the housing-side passages 323a and 323b. The exhaled air that has passed through this pair of housing-side passages 323a and 323b is introduced into a pair of sensor modules Sa and Sb.

[0023] The pair of sensor modules Sa and Sb are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the inlet unit 3 (the plane containing each inlet 310, 311) as the plane of symmetry (hereinafter, this same symmetry will simply be referred to as "symmetry"). Sensor module Sa detects exhaled air blown into the upper inlet 310, and sensor module Sb detects exhaled air blown into the lower inlet 311. Sensor modules Sa and Sb are identical components and each comprises a resin case 35 and a substrate 36 attached to the case 35 by adhesive or the like.

[0024] Each case 35 of the sensor modules Sa and Sb has a cylindrical section 350 through which exhaled air blown in from the respective inlets 310 and 311 passes. The exhaled air that has passed through this cylindrical section 350 is detected by a temperature sensor 360 (see Figure 4) provided on the substrate 36. Details of this exhaled air detection method will be described later.

[0025] Bosses 333 for fixing a pair of sensor modules Sa and Sb are integrally formed on the inner circumferential surfaces of both axial ends of the exhaust side housing 33. The bosses 333 are cylindrical projections that rise towards the inlet side housing 32, and an insertion hole 333a for passing a bolt B3 is formed in the center of the bosses 333.

[0026] Similar insertion holes 361 are also formed at the end of the substrate 36 opposite to the cylindrical portion 350 in the axial direction, and bolt holes 324 (see Figure 4) are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the blowing-side housing 32 at positions corresponding to the boss 333 (insertion hole 333a). By screwing the bolts B3 inserted into the boss 333 and the respective insertion holes 333a and 361 of the substrate 36 into the bolt holes 324 of the blowing-side housing 32, the sensor modules Sa and Sb are fixed inside the blowing-out unit 3.

[0027] In this fixed state, the cylindrical portion 350 of the sensor modules Sa,Sb and the first exhaust port 334 of the exhaust-side housing 33 are in communication. The first exhaust ports 334 are provided in pairs, spaced apart in the axial direction (with a boss 332 in between), and the exhaled air blown into each inlet 310,311 is mainly discharged from these first exhaust ports 334. A pair of second exhaust ports 335 are formed on both sides of the axial direction of this pair of first exhaust ports 334. Each of these exhaust ports 334,335 is a hole that penetrates the large-diameter portion 330 of the exhaust-side housing 33, with the first exhaust ports 334 being circular in shape and the second exhaust ports 335 being rectangular in shape that is elongated in the axial direction.

[0028] Each exhaust port 334, 335 is covered by an axially extending decorative body 37 (covering member). The decorative body 37 includes a first covering portion 370 that covers the first exhaust port 334, and a through hole 370a is formed in the first covering portion 370 at a position corresponding to the first exhaust port 334. On both axial sides of the first covering portion 370, a pair of second covering portions 371 are provided to cover a pair of second exhaust ports 335, and on both axial sides of this pair of second covering portions 371, a pair of third covering portions 372 are provided.

[0029] The third covering portion 372 is the part that covers the recess 333b (see Figure 4) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust-side housing 33 by the boss 333, and a through hole 372a is formed in the third covering portion 372 at a position corresponding to the recess 333b. A pair of fixed parts 373 are provided on both axial sides of the pair of third covering portions 372, and this pair of fixed parts 373 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust-side housing 33 (large diameter portion 330) by bolts (not shown).

[0030] The parts 370 to 373 that make up these decorative elements 37 are integrally formed using a resin material. By covering the exhaust ports 334, 335 and recesses 333b (see Figure 4) with the parts 370 to 373 of the decorative elements 37, the appearance of the electronic wind instrument 1 can be improved.

[0031] Next, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the airflow path from each inlet 310, 311 to the pair of housing-side flow paths 323a, 323b will be described. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the lip plate 31 seen from the inside, and Figure 3(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the inlet unit 3 (electronic wind instrument 1). Figure 3(b) shows a cross-section cut by a plane that is perpendicular to the direction in which the performer blows air into the inlets 310, 311 (the radial direction of the inlet-side housing 32) and includes the partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31.

[0032] Note that Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view that does not include the inlets 310, 311 or the constriction walls 317a, 317b (see Figure 3(a)), but the positions where the inlets 310, 311 are formed are shown by dashed lines in Figure 3(b). Furthermore, in the following explanation, the side with the inlets 310, 311 will be referred to as the upstream side of the exhalation flow path, and the opposite side as the downstream side.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a partition wall 313 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the lip plate 31 to demarcate the exhalation flow path. The partition wall 313 is formed in the shape of a wall rising from the inner surface of the lip plate 31, and the tip of this partition wall 313 (the end on the far side in the plane of the paper in Figure 3(b)) is configured to be in contact with the substrate 34. The space surrounded by this partition wall 313 and the substrate 34 forms the first bent flow paths 314a, 314b and the second bent flow paths 315a, 315b.

[0034] The first bent channel 314a is a channel that extends linearly from the upper inlet 310 to one axial side of the inlet housing 32 (the left side in Figure 3(b)). From the downstream end of the first bent channel 314a (the left side in Figure 3(b)), the second bent channel 315a bends vertically (in the circumferential direction of the inlet housing 32), and the downstream portion of this second bent channel 315a is connected to the housing-side channel 323a via a notch 343 in the substrate 34.

[0035] The first bent channel 314b is a channel that extends linearly from the lower inlet 311 to the other axial side of the inlet housing 32 (the right side in Figure 3(b)). From the downstream end of the first bent channel 314b (the right side in Figure 3(b)), the second bent channel 315b bends vertically (in the circumferential direction of the inlet housing 32 and in the same direction as the second bent channel 315a), and the downstream portion of this second bent channel 315b is connected to the housing-side channel 323b via a notch 343 in the substrate 34.

[0036] Furthermore, a diaphragm channel 316a (see Figure 3(a)) is formed at the boundary between the first bent channel 314a and the second bent channel 315a, and a diaphragm channel 316b is also formed at the boundary between the first bent channel 314b and the second bent channel 315b. These diaphragm channels 316a and 316b are formed by diaphragm walls 317a and 317b that connect the walls of the partition wall 313.

[0037] The constricted walls 317a and 317b are walls that extend across each of the bent channels 314a, 314b, 315a, and 315b, and the height at which the constricted walls 317a and 317b are erected from the inner surface of the lip plate 31 is lower than the height at which the partition wall 313 is erected. The formation of these constricted walls 317a and 317b results in the formation of constricted channels 316a and 316b, which have a smaller channel cross-sectional area than each of the bent channels 314a, 314b, 315a, and 315b.

[0038] As indicated by arrow A in Figure 3, exhaled air blown in from the upper inlet 310 is introduced into the housing-side flow path 323a through the first bent flow path 314a, the throttling flow path 316a, and the second bent flow path 315a (notch 343 in the substrate 34). On the other hand, as indicated by arrow B, exhaled air blown in from the lower inlet 311 is introduced into the housing-side flow path 323b through the first bent flow path 314b, the throttling flow path 316b, and the second bent flow path 315b (notch 343 in the substrate 34).

[0039] Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the exhaled air flow path from the housing-side flow paths 323a and 323b to the first exhaust port 334 will be described. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the inlet unit 3 along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Note that the flow paths downstream from the housing-side flow paths 323a and 323b are formed symmetrically on the sensor module Sa side and the sensor module Sb side. Therefore, in the following description, the exhaled air flow path on the sensor module Sa side (see Figure 4) will be described, and the description of the flow path on the sensor module Sb side will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a cylindrical lower projection 325 (see Figure 4) is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of the blowing-side housing 32, opposite to the bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322. A throttling channel 326 connected to the housing-side channel 323a is formed on the inner circumferential side of the lower projection 325, and the cases 35 of the sensor modules Sa and Sb are attached to the lower projection 325.

[0041] The case 35 comprises the cylindrical portion 350 described above, a bottom wall portion 351 extending from the cylindrical portion 350 to one axial side of the inlet unit 3 (left side in Figure 4), and a side wall portion 352 and an end wall portion 353 rising from the bottom wall portion 351, with each of these portions 350 to 353 being integrally formed. On the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 350, there is a fitting hole 354 into which the lower projection 325 is fitted, and a case-side flow path 355 connected to the fitting hole 354.

[0042] The fitting hole 354 and the case-side flow path 355 are each formed with a circular cross-section. The inner diameter of the case-side flow path 355 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the fitting hole 354, creating a step on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 350, into which the lower projection 325 is fitted.

[0043] When the cylindrical portion 350 is attached to the lower projection 325, a flow path is formed that extends radially in a straight line (approximately parallel to the direction in which exhaled air is blown into each of the inlet ports 310 and 311) by the housing-side flow path 323a, the throttling flow path 326, and the case-side flow path 355.

[0044] The exhaled air blown into the upper inlet 310 (see Figure 3) is exhausted from the first exhaust port 334 through the aforementioned bent passages 314a, 315a (see Figure 3 for the first bent passage 314a), the housing-side passage 323a, the throttling passage 326, and the case-side passage 355. Hereafter, these passages 314a, 315a, 323a, 326, and 355 will be collectively referred to as the "main passage" for exhaled air.

[0045] The bottom wall portion 351 of the case 35 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the axial direction of the blowing port unit 3, and the side wall portions 352 are formed in pairs on both ends of the bottom wall portion 351 in the width direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 4) (see Figure 5(b)). The end wall portions 353 are formed in a wall shape rising from the axial end of the bottom wall portion 351 (the end opposite to the cylindrical portion 350 side), and each of these wall portions 351 to 353 is formed in a box shape with one side (the blowing side housing 32 side) open. When this open portion is closed by the substrate 36, a branched channel 356 surrounded by the substrate 36 and each of the wall portions 351 to 353 is formed inside the case 35.

[0046] The branch channel 356 is a channel that extends axially from the inlet unit 3, and in order to connect one end of it to the main channel (case-side channel 355), an opening 356a (first opening) for the branch channel 356 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case-side channel 355. That is, the branch channel 356 branches off so as to intersect with the case-side channel 355. The other end of the branch channel 356 is connected to the outside of the case 35 through an opening 356b (second opening) formed in the end wall portion 353.

[0047] On the inner surface of the substrate 36 facing the branch channel 356, a temperature sensor 360 and a heater 362 are provided side by side in the axial direction (the longitudinal direction of the branch channel 356). The temperature sensor 360 can be a known temperature sensor composed of a thermistor or the like, and the heater 362 can be a known heat-generating element such as a chip resistor, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0048] The heater 362 heats the air in the branch channel 356, and the flow of this heated air (temperature change in the branch channel 356) is detected by the temperature sensor 360. In this embodiment, if the case-side channel 355 is the upstream side of the branch channel 356, the temperature sensor 360 is positioned upstream of the heater 362, but the temperature sensor 360 may also be positioned downstream of the heater 362. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 360 and the heater 362 may be positioned side by side in the width direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 4) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 4) of the branch channel 356.

[0049] When the flow rate (flow velocity) of exhaled air flowing through the main channel (case-side channel 355) changes, a change also occurs in the airflow in the branch channel 356 (a secondary channel branching off from the main channel). This change in airflow in the branch channel 356 (temperature change due to the flow of air heated by the heater 362) is detected by the temperature sensor 360. A musical tone signal is generated by the sound source based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 360, and an electronic sound based on this musical tone signal is emitted from an amplifier and / or speaker (neither shown).

[0050] In order for the temperature sensor 360 to accurately detect the flow rate of exhaled air flowing through the main channel based on the changes in airflow in the branch channel 356, it is necessary to prevent saliva contained in the exhaled air and moisture caused by condensation from the exhaled air from remaining in the main channel and branch channel 356. In particular, if such moisture adheres to the temperature sensor 360, it becomes difficult to accurately detect the performer's exhaled air. A configuration that solves these problems is described below.

[0051] The case-side flow path 355 and the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356 are both formed with a circular cross-section, but the diameter of the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356 is smaller than the diameter of the case-side flow path 355. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the part of the main flow path to which the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356 is connected (case-side flow path 355). This has the effect of making it difficult for humid exhaled air to flow into the temperature sensor 360 located in the branch flow path 356.

[0052] One possible reason for this is that the opening 356a of the branch channel 356 is formed to be relatively small, making it difficult for exhaled air passing through the case-side channel 355 to flow into the branch channel 356. Another possible reason is that the exhaled air passing through the case-side channel 355 creates negative pressure in the branch channel 356, and this negative pressure draws air from the branch channel 356 through the opening 356a into the case-side channel 355.

[0053] By suppressing the inflow of humid exhaled air into the branch channel 356, moisture generated by condensation or other factors can be prevented from adhering to the temperature sensor 360. Therefore, the flow rate (flow velocity) of exhaled air flowing through the main channel can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360 based on the changes in airflow occurring in the branch channel 356.

[0054] Furthermore, a cylindrical projection 357 is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case-side flow path 355, the tip of which becomes the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356. By causing the opening 356a of the branch flow path 356 to protrude towards the inner circumferential side of the case-side flow path 355 with this projection 357, it is thought that the effects of making it difficult for humid exhaled air to flow into the branch flow path 356 and making it easier for negative pressure to be generated in the branch flow path 356 by the exhaled air passing through the main flow path can be obtained.

[0055] Furthermore, the tip of the projection 357 (the edge of the opening 356a of the branched passage 356) is positioned on the extension of the passage of the throttling passage 326. That is, in a view of the inflow direction of exhaled air from the throttling passage 326 to the case-side passage 355 (up and down view in Figure 4), the throttling passage 326 and the tip of the projection 357 are positioned to overlap. This is also thought to have the effect of making it easier for negative pressure to be generated in the branched passage 356 by the exhaled air passing through the main passage.

[0056] Thus, this embodiment is a structure in which exhaled air flowing into the branch channel 356 from an opening 356a with a relatively small cross-sectional area is detected by a temperature sensor 360, or a structure in which negative pressure is generated in the branch channel 356 by exhaled air passing through the case-side channel 355, and the airflow in the branch channel 356 caused by this negative pressure is detected by the temperature sensor 360. In such a structure, the change in airflow in the branch channel 356 becomes relatively small. Here, if the temperature sensor 360 is configured to detect the temperature change of the air in the branch channel 356 heated by the heater 362, as in this embodiment, even slight changes in airflow in the branch channel 356 can be detected by the temperature sensor 360. Therefore, the flow rate of exhaled air flowing in the main channel can be detected with high accuracy.

[0057] Furthermore, since the sensor modules Sa and Sb are arranged axially so that their cylindrical sections 350 face each other (see Figure 2), and the branched flow path 356 is formed along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the inlet unit 3, a long branched flow path 356 for sensing exhaled breath can be formed. This makes it possible to bring each cylindrical section 350 close to the lip plate 31 and to mimic the appearance of a long, slender flute (head joint) with the inlet unit 3, while the temperature sensor 360 can accurately detect changes in the airflow within the branched flow path 356.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exhaled air blown into the upper inlet 310 and the exhaled air blown into the lower inlet 311 are detected by separate sensor modules Sa and Sb (see Figure 2). That is, instead of forming two branched flow channels 356 in one case 35, the two cases 35 are made into separate parts (the cases 35 are made smaller) and the branched flow channels 356 are formed individually, so the shape of the branched flow channels 356 can be formed with high precision. Therefore, the airflow generated in the branched flow channels 356 can be detected with high precision by the temperature sensor 360.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, exhaled breath is detected based on the airflow generated in the branch channel 356, and a tapered surface 356c is formed in the branch channel 356 to stabilize this airflow. The tapered surface 356c is an inclined surface that is connected to one end (the end on the opening 356a side) of the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 351 or the side wall portion 352 of the case 35 (see Figure 5(b) for the point where the tapered surface 356c is connected to the side wall portion 352). By forming such a tapered surface 356c, the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch channel 356 can be made to gradually decrease toward the opening 356a side. This suppresses the generation of irregular airflow (turbulence) in the branch channel 356, so that the flow rate of exhaled breath flowing in the main channel can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360.

[0060] Furthermore, a vent 333c is formed on the side surface of the boss 333 facing the end wall portion 353 of the case 35, and the recess 333b formed on the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust-side housing 33 by the boss 333 and the opening 356b of the branch channel 356 are connected via the vent 333c. As a result, the inside of the branch channel 356 can be ventilated by the airflow passing through the vent 333c and the opening 356b, thereby suppressing condensation on the temperature sensor 360.

[0061] Furthermore, by using the boss 333 (recess 333b) for fixing the sensor modules Sa and Sb to ventilate the branch channel 356, it becomes unnecessary to separately provide holes or recesses in the exhaust side housing 33 for such ventilation. Therefore, the number of holes and recesses formed in the exhaust side housing 33 can be reduced, improving the appearance of the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0062] Here, for example, when the performer takes a breath during a performance, air may be drawn in through the upper mouthpiece 310 (see Figure 3). Also, for example, if the performer performs an action with their mouth away from the upper mouthpiece 310, outside air may flow in through the upper mouthpiece 310 due to the resulting movement of the electronic wind instrument 1. When the temperature sensor 360 detects such airflow due to intake or inflow of outside air, a problem arises in which unintended musical tones are generated.

[0063] Furthermore, when a performer forcefully blows air into the upper inlet 310, the airflow rate may exceed the measurable range of the temperature sensor 360. Outside this range, changing the airflow rate does not affect the generated musical tone, making it difficult to produce the musical tone intended by the performer.

[0064] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the lip plate 31 has a first bent passage 314a (see Figure 3) that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which exhaled air is blown into the upper inlet 310 (in this embodiment, the axial direction of the inlet unit 3). Furthermore, the second bent passage 315a, which is connected downstream of the first bent passage 314a, extends in a direction that bends further from the connection point (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the direction in which exhaled air is blown and the axial direction of the inlet unit 3).

[0065] By forming such a curved channel upstream of the main channel, for example, compared to the case where the upper inlet 310 and the housing-side channel 323a are connected in a straight line, it is possible to suppress the generation of airflow in the case-side channel 355 even when the performer's inhalation or outside air flows in as described above.

[0066] Furthermore, at the boundary of each of these bent passages 314a and 315a, a constricted passage 316a (see Figure 3(a)) is formed, which has a smaller cross-sectional area than each of the bent passages 314a and 315a. In addition, a constricted passage 326 is formed between the housing-side passage 323a and the case-side passage 355, which has a smaller cross-sectional area than each of the passages 323a and 355. By providing such a constricted section, which partially reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the main passage, in the middle of the main passage (upstream of the connection point of the branch passage 356), it is possible to suppress the generation of airflow in the case-side passage 355 due to the performer's inhalation and the inflow of outside air as described above.

[0067] By suppressing the airflow generated in the case-side passage 355 due to the performer's inhalation and the inflow of outside air, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor 360 from falsely detecting that airflow. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of musical sounds that the performer did not intend.

[0068] Furthermore, by adjusting the flow path length of each bent flow path 314a, 315a and the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the constricted flow paths 316a, 326, it is possible to suppress the exhaled air that the performer forcefully blows into the upper inlet 310 from exceeding the measurable range of the temperature sensor 360. As a result, the musical tone intended by the performer is more easily generated.

[0069] Thus, while providing bends and constrictions in the main channel makes it easier to generate the musical tones intended by the performer, a complex path in the main channel makes it easier for saliva contained in exhaled breath and moisture generated by condensation to remain in the main channel. If this moisture blocks, for example, the opening 356a of the constricted channel 326 or the branched channel 356, it becomes difficult for the temperature sensor 360 to detect the exhaled breath blown in from each inlet 310, 311.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which moisture is dried by heating the upstream portion of the main channel with the substrate 34. Furthermore, this configuration also has the effect of preventing condensation from occurring in the main channel. This effect of preventing condensation is that it prevents the water vapor contained in the air from liquefying, and is a different action from drying the moisture. That is, the higher the temperature, the larger the saturated water vapor amount (the mass of water vapor that can exist in a unit volume of air), so by heating the upstream portion of the main channel, it is possible not only to dry the moisture but also to prevent condensation from occurring. This configuration will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0071] Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit 3 along the line Va-Va in Figure 4, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit 3 along the line Vb-Vb in Figure 4.

[0072] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the substrate 34 is provided with a heater 341 and a temperature sensor 342 (see Figure 5(a) for both). In the following description, the side of the substrate 34 facing the curved channels 314a and 315a (the upper side in Figures 4 and 5) will be referred to as the front surface of the substrate 34, and the side opposite to it will be referred to as the back surface of the substrate 34.

[0073] The circuit board 34 is a single-sided circuit board on which electronic components such as the heater 341 and temperature sensor 342, as well as a temperature control device (CPU) that controls the temperature of these components, are mounted on its back surface. An opening (hole) is formed in the bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322 to which the circuit board 34 and lip plate 31 are attached, connecting to the internal space S1 of the air intake unit 3. The heater 341 and temperature sensor 342 are attached to the back surface of the circuit board 34 that is exposed through this opening.

[0074] The heater 341 can use a known heat-generating element such as a chip resistor, and the temperature sensor 342 can use a known temperature sensor consisting of a thermistor or the like, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0075] The temperature of the substrate 34, which is heated by the heater 341, is detected by the temperature sensor 342, and the heater 341 is controlled to repeatedly turn on and off (or the temperature of the heater 341 changes) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 342.

[0076] By heating the substrate 34 (mounting wall to which the heater 341 is attached) that forms a part (bottom surface) of the inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a with the heater 341, the entire inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a and the internal space of each bent channel 314a, 315a are heated. This allows saliva adhering to each bent channel 314a, 315a to dry out, and also suppresses the formation of moisture due to condensation in each bent channel 314a, 315a. As a result, moisture is prevented from remaining in each bent channel 314a, 315a, thus preventing the flow of exhaled air from being obstructed by that moisture, and also preventing moisture from flowing downstream (towards the temperature sensor 360). Therefore, the flow of exhaled air blown into the inlet 310, 311 (see Figure 3) can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360.

[0077] The heater 341 may be attached, for example, to the surface of the substrate 34 (the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a), but in this embodiment, the heater 341 is attached to the back surface of the substrate 34, so that the flow of exhaled air in each bent channel 314a, 315a is not obstructed by the heater 341. Therefore, exhaled air flows more easily downstream from each bent channel 314a, 315a, so that the exhaled air can be detected accurately by the temperature sensor 360.

[0078] Each of the bent channels 314a and 315a is formed by the substrate 34 (mounting wall) and the partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31 that abuts against the surface of the substrate 34, so that bent channels such as each of the bent channels 314a and 315a can be easily formed. On the other hand, in a configuration where the partition wall 313 abuts against the substrate 34, there is a risk that heat may escape from the gap between the substrate 34 and the partition wall 313.

[0079] In contrast, in this embodiment, the abutting portion of the partition wall 313 with respect to the substrate 34 is joined with an adhesive or sealant, so that the air heated by the heater 341 (substrate 34) can be prevented from escaping through the gap between the substrate 34 and the partition wall 313. Therefore, the inside of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be efficiently heated by the heater 341, so that the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be prevented.

[0080] Furthermore, the partition wall 313 formed on the inner surface of the lip plate 31 abuts against the substrate 34, and the substrate 34 is heated by the heater 341, so that the upstream portion of the main flow path connected to the inlet ports 310, 311 of the lip plate 31 (for example, the first bent flow path 314a located directly below the inlet port 310) can be efficiently heated. This prevents moisture from accumulating in the upstream portion of the main flow path, and thus prevents that moisture from flowing downstream of the main flow path.

[0081] Furthermore, the bottom surfaces of each bent channel 314a, 315a, which bends in the direction of exhalation into the inlet ports 310, 311, are formed by a substrate 34, and this substrate 34 is heated by a heater 341. As a result, the inner walls of each bent channel 314a, 315a, where moisture tends to accumulate, can be efficiently heated by the heater 341. Therefore, the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, at the boundary portions of each bent channel 314a and 315a (in the middle of the bent channels), a throttling channel 316a (see Figure 5(a)) is formed, which has a smaller channel cross-sectional area than each bent channel 314a and 315a. The inner wall surface of this throttling channel 316a is also formed by a substrate 34 to which a heater 341 is attached. As a result, the inner wall surface of the throttling channel 316a, which is prone to moisture accumulation, can be efficiently heated by the heater 341, thereby suppressing the accumulation of moisture in the throttling channel 316a.

[0083] As described above, a notch 343 is formed in the substrate 34, and the second bent channel 315a and the housing-side channel 323a are connected to each other through this notch 343. Therefore, the boundary portion of the second bent channel 315a and the housing-side channel 323a (the upstream end of the housing-side channel 323a) is surrounded by the substrate 34 (notch 343).

[0084] By heating this substrate 34 with the heater 341, the housing-side flow path 323a connected to the second bent flow path 315a, and the throttling flow path 326 located downstream of the housing-side flow path 323a can also be heated. Therefore, saliva adhering to the housing-side flow path 323a and the throttling flow path 326 can be dried, and the generation of moisture due to condensation in the housing-side flow path 323a and the throttling flow path 326 can be suppressed.

[0085] In this way, by suppressing the accumulation of moisture in the main flow path upstream of the opening 356a of the constricted flow path 326 (see Figure 4) and the opening 356a of the branched flow path 356 (see Figure 4), it is possible to suppress the flow of that moisture downstream of the main flow path along with the exhaled breath. As a result, the opening 356a of the constricted flow path 326 and the branched flow path 356 is prevented from being blocked by moisture, so that the exhaled breath flowing in the main flow path can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360 (see Figure 4).

[0086] The temperature of the heater 341 is controlled by a temperature control device (not shown) provided on the substrate 34. This temperature control maintains the temperature of the substrate 34 surface (the inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a) at 30°C to 45°C, which is within the range of human body temperature and exhaled breath. This allows the substrate 34 to be heated to a degree that dries out the moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a, the throttling channel 316a, the housing-side channel 323a, and the throttling channel 326, while suppressing excessive heating of the substrate 34. By suppressing excessive heating of the substrate 34, deterioration of surrounding components (for example, resin components such as the lip plate 31 and the blowing-side housing 32) can be suppressed.

[0087] In this embodiment, the exhaled air flowing through the main channel is mainly exhausted from the first exhaust port 334, but a portion of the exhaled air is introduced into the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 through the leak channel 322b (see Figure 5(a)).

[0088] More specifically, the housing-side flow path 323a opens in the middle of the second bent flow path 315a, and a leak flow path 322b (see Figure 5(a)) is formed in the mounting hole 322 to which the lip plate 31 is attached, connecting the downstream end of the second bent flow path 315a to the internal space S1 side of each housing 32, 33. This leak flow path 322b is formed by the gap between the edge of the substrate 34 in the circumferential direction of the blowing-side housing 32 and the inner circumferential surface of the blowing-side housing 32.

[0089] By forming a leak channel 322b that branches off from the main channel, a portion of the airflow generated in the second bent channel 315a can be introduced into the internal space S1 of the inlet unit 3 (i.e., a portion of the airflow can be discharged to the outside of the main channel). This suppresses the generation of airflow in the case-side channel 355 due to the performer's inhalation and the inflow of outside air, thus preventing the temperature sensor 360 (see Figure 4) from falsely detecting this airflow. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of musical sounds that the performer did not intend.

[0090] Furthermore, by adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the leak channel 322b, it is possible to suppress the exhaled air blown forcefully into the upper inlet 310 by the performer from exceeding the measurable range of the temperature sensor 360. As a result, the musical tone intended by the performer is more easily generated.

[0091] Exhaled air flowing into the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 from the leak passage 322b is exhausted from the second exhaust port 335 (see Figure 5(b)) which penetrates the exhaust-side housing 33. The second covering portion 371 of the decorative body 37 that covers the second exhaust port 335 is formed to be installed between the first covering portion 370 and the third covering portion 372 (extending in the axial direction) (see Figure 4), and a cavity S2 (see Figure 5(b)) is formed between the exhaust-side housing 33 (second exhaust port 335) and the second covering portion 371.

[0092] As a result, even when the electronic wind instrument 1 is placed on a table or the like, the second exhaust port 335 is prevented from being blocked by the placement surface, and ventilation through the cavity S2 and the second exhaust port 335 is ensured. Therefore, even with a structure that allows some of the exhaled air to leak into the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 through the leak channel 322b (see Figure 5(a)), condensation on the components of each housing 32, 33 (for example, the substrate 36 shown in Figure 5(b)) can be suppressed.

[0093] Furthermore, a pair of inclined surfaces 371a (see Figure 5(b)) are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second covering portion 371 facing the second exhaust port 335, and these surfaces are aligned in the circumferential direction. The pair of inclined surfaces 371a are planes that slope away from the exhaust side housing 33 (second exhaust port 335) from their central vertices (intersecting ridges) to their outer ends in the circumferential direction. By forming such mountain-shaped inclined surfaces 371a, the flow velocity of air passing through the cavity S2 along the circumferential direction (left-right direction in Figure 5(b)) increases due to the inclined surfaces 371a. This increase in air flow velocity creates negative pressure in the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33, and this negative pressure allows the air in the internal space S1 to be exhausted to the outside through the second exhaust port 335.

[0094] Furthermore, since the circumferential opening size of the second exhaust port 335 gradually increases from the internal space S1 to the outer surface of the exhaust-side housing 33, the air in the internal space S1 is more easily exhausted to the outside through the second exhaust port 335 by the airflow passing through the cavity S2 as described above. As a result, even with a structure that leaks a portion of the exhaled air into the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 through the leak passage 322b (see Figure 5(a)), condensation on the components of each housing 32, 33 can be suppressed.

[0095] As described above, through holes 370a and 372a (see Figure 4 for through hole 372a) are formed in the covering portions 370 and 372 of the decorative body 37 that covers the first exhaust port 334 and the recess 333b (vent 333c) of the boss 333 (see Figure 4). For example, recesses 370b are formed on both circumferential edges of the through hole 370a. Similarly, recesses 372b are formed on the edge of the through hole 372a shown in Figure 4.

[0096] By forming such recesses 370b and 372b in the through holes 370a and 372a, it is possible to prevent the first exhaust port 334 and the recesses 333b (ventilation port 333c) from being blocked by the mounting surface, even when the electronic wind instrument 1 is placed on a table or the like. Therefore, ventilation through the first exhaust port 334 and the recesses 333b (ventilation port 333c) can be ensured.

[0097] Next, the details of the rotation structure of the mouthpiece unit 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line VI-VI in Figure 1. Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 6, and Figure 7(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line VIIb-VIIb in Figure 7(a). In Figure 6, the cross-section is shown as if the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 were in the positional relationship shown in Figure 7(a), and the cross-section is cut by a plane that includes both axes of the electronic wind instrument 1 and the projection 210. In addition, in Figures 6 and 7, only the essential parts of the cross-section of the electronic wind instrument 1 are shown, and the outer shape of the bundled wiring 40 is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0098] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the circuit board 36 of the mouthpiece unit 3 (see Figure 6) is connected via wiring 40 to the circuit board 23 (see Figure 6) inside the instrument body 2 (each housing 21, 22). That is, the wiring 40 connecting the circuit boards 23 and 36 is provided so as to straddle the boundary (fitting portion) between the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3. On the circuit board 23, processing such as the generation of musical sound signals is performed based on the breath detection result by the temperature sensor 360 (see Figure 4) on the circuit board 36.

[0099] As described above, the blowing-side housing 32 and the exhaust-side housing 33 of the blowing-out unit 3 are equipped with large-diameter sections 320, 330 and small-diameter sections 321, 331, and partition walls 321c, 331c are formed on the inner circumference of the small-diameter sections 321, 331 of each housing 32, 33. These partition walls 321c, 331c are brought into contact with each other when the housings 32, 33 are stacked on top of each other (see Figure 2 for the partition walls 331c before the housings 32, 33 are stacked). When the partition walls 321c, 331c are brought into contact with each other, the internal space S1 of the blowing-out unit 3 (see Figure 6 or Figure 7(b)) and the internal space S3 of the instrument body 2 (see Figure 6 or Figure 7(b)) are separated.

[0100] The partition walls 321c and 331c have notches 321d and 331d formed by cutting out a portion of their abutting surfaces (see Figure 2 for details on the formation of the notches 331d on the abutting surface of partition wall 331c). When partition walls 321c and 331c are abutted together, the notches 321d and 331d form through-holes for passing the wiring 40. A cylindrical member 41 made of rubber or elastomer is attached to these through-holes formed by the notches 321d and 331d.

[0101] The cylindrical member 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a through hole 410 on its inner circumference, and disc-shaped flanges 411 protrude outwards from both axial ends of the cylindrical member 41. With the wiring 40 inserted into the through hole 410 of the cylindrical member 41, the flanges 411 are hooked onto the partition walls 321c, 331c (edges of the notches 321d, 331d).

[0102] As described above, in this embodiment, notches 321d, 331d (through holes) are formed in the partition walls 321c, 331c that separate the internal space S1 of the mouthpiece unit 3 and the internal space S3 of the instrument body 2, and the wiring 40 is passed through these notches 321d, 331d. This makes it possible to connect the respective substrates 23, 36 (see Figure 6) of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 with the wiring 40, while the flow of exhaled air from the mouthpiece unit 3 (internal space S1) toward the instrument body 2 (internal space S3) can be blocked by the partition walls 321c, 331c. This prevents moisture contained in the exhaled air from adhering to the substrate 23 of the instrument body 2, thereby preventing damage to the substrate 23.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the cylindrical member 41 (elastic body) that bundles multiple wires 40 is attached to the notches 321d and 331d, the flow of exhaled air from the mouthpiece unit 3 toward the instrument body 2 can be effectively blocked by the cylindrical member 41. Therefore, the adhesion of moisture contained in the exhaled air to the substrate 23 of the instrument body 2 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0104] As described above, the protrusion 210 of the instrument body 2 (upper housing 21) is inserted into the insertion hole 30 formed in the mouthpiece unit 3 (small diameter sections 321, 331), and the wiring 40 is passed through the space between the inner circumferential surface of the small diameter sections 321, 331 of the mouthpiece unit 3 and the protrusion 210 (see Figure 7(b)). For this reason, if the mouthpiece unit 3 is structured to rotate indefinitely relative to the instrument body 2, the wiring 40 is likely to become entangled with the protrusion 210.

[0105] When such entanglement of the wiring 40 occurs, there is a risk that the wiring 40 itself may break or become detached from the circuit boards 23 and 36. Therefore, in this embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the rotation of the mouthpiece unit 3 is restricted to a predetermined angle by the inner circumference protrusions 211 and 221 of the instrument body 2 (see Figure 7(a)).

[0106] The inner circumferential projection 211 is a projection formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 of the instrument body 2, and the inner circumferential projection 221 is a projection formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lower housing 22. From the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 321 of the mouthpiece unit 3 (mouthpiece side housing 32), the outer circumferential projection 321e (see Figure 7(a)) protrudes outward, and the outer circumferential projection 321e is inserted between a pair of inner circumferential projections 211 and 221 that are arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0107] When the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotated relative to the instrument body 2, the rotation of the mouthpiece unit 3 is restricted by the outer circumferential projection 321e coming into contact with one of the pair of inner circumferential projections 211, 221. In this embodiment, the rotation angle of the mouthpiece unit 3 from the state in which the outer circumferential projection 321e is in contact with one inner circumferential projection 211 (the state shown in Figure 7(a)) to the state in which the outer circumferential projection 321e comes into contact with the other inner circumferential projection 221 (hereinafter referred to as the "range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3") is set to approximately 40°.

[0108] Thus, in this embodiment, the relative rotation between the housings 21, 22 (first cylindrical section) of the instrument body 2 and the small-diameter sections 321, 331 (second cylindrical section) of the housings 32, 33 of the mouthpiece unit 3 is restricted to a predetermined angle (within a range of 40°) by contact between the inner circumferential projections 211, 221 and the outer circumferential projection 321e (first stopper). As a result, even when the circuit boards 23, 36 (see Figure 6) of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 are connected by wiring 40, it is possible to suppress the entanglement of multiple wires 40 when the mouthpiece unit 3 rotates, and the entanglement of the wires 40 with the projections 210. Therefore, damage to the wiring 40 can be suppressed.

[0109] When the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotated relative to the instrument body 2, the projection 210 slides along the insertion hole 30 which extends in the circumferential direction. That is, the insertion hole 30 is an elongated hole whose circumferential dimension is larger than the diameter of the projection 210. On the other hand, the width dimension of the insertion hole 30 in the axial direction (left-right direction in Figure 6 or up-down direction in Figure 7(b)) is formed to be approximately the same as (or slightly larger than) the diameter of the projection 210, and the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 in the axial direction is small (or they are in contact). As a result, axial displacement or detachment of the mouthpiece unit 3 relative to the instrument body 2 can be prevented by the engagement of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 (second stopper). This allows the electronic wind instrument 1 to be played stably.

[0110] Since bolts B1 (see Figure 6 or Figure 7(a)) for fixing the respective housings 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2 are fastened to the projection 210, the rigidity of the projection 210 can be increased by the bolts B1. Therefore, even if a load due to the axial displacement of the mouthpiece unit 3 acts on the projection 210, damage to the projection 210 can be suppressed.

[0111] Furthermore, rib-shaped protrusions 210a (see Figure 7(b)) are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the projection 210. Although not shown in the figure, the protrusions 210a extend across both ends of the cylindrical projection 210 in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 7(b)). Since the protrusions 210a are formed in pairs on the outer circumferential surfaces of both sides of the projection 210 (in the axial direction of the nozzle unit 3), the rigidity of the projection 210 against axial loads of the nozzle unit 3 can be effectively increased. Therefore, damage to the projection 210 due to such loads can be suppressed.

[0112] Thus, in order to restrict the axial displacement of the mouthpiece unit 3 with the projection 210, it is preferable to make the gap between the inner surface of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 in the axial direction as narrow as possible. On the other hand, the narrower this gap is, the more likely friction is to occur in the sliding part between the inner surface of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 when the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotated relative to the instrument body 2. If this friction becomes large, the mouthpiece unit 3 cannot be rotated smoothly relative to the instrument body 2.

[0113] Furthermore, when the performer rotates the mouthpiece unit 3, a force may act in a direction that tilts the axis of the mouthpiece unit 3 relative to the axis of the instrument body 2. When such a force is applied, the friction at the sliding part between the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 increases, which can easily hinder the smooth rotation of the mouthpiece unit 3.

[0114] In contrast, this embodiment includes an annular O-ring 39 (see Figure 6 or Figure 7(b)) that seals the gap between the inner surface of the instrument body 2 and the outer surface of the mouthpiece unit 3. This O-ring 39 is provided in pairs on both sides of the mouthpiece unit 3 in the axial direction, with the projection 210 in between. As a result, even if a force that tilts the axis of the mouthpiece unit 3 acts when the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotated, the misalignment of the mouthpiece unit 3's axis with respect to the axis of the instrument body 2 can be effectively restricted by the pair of O-rings 39. By restricting this axial misalignment of the mouthpiece unit 3 on both sides of the projection 210 (in the axial direction of the mouthpiece unit 3), friction in the sliding portion between the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 can be reduced, allowing the mouthpiece unit 3 to rotate smoothly relative to the instrument body 2.

[0115] Furthermore, in a cross-sectional view including the axis of the instrument body 2 (mouthpiece unit 3), the O-ring 39 is formed in a semicircular shape, and the bottom surfaces of the grooves 321b, 331b (see Figure 6 or Figure 7(b)) into which the O-ring 39 is fitted are formed in a flat shape. This allows the bottom surfaces of the grooves 321b, 331b and the O-ring 39 to be in planar contact with each other, thereby suppressing twisting of the O-ring 39 due to friction when the mouthpiece unit 3 is rotated (friction between the inner surface of the instrument body 2 and the outer surface of the O-ring 39). By suppressing the twisting of the O-ring 39, the function of preventing misalignment of the axis of the mouthpiece unit 3 as described above can be reliably performed by the O-ring 39, and damage to the O-ring 39 can be suppressed.

[0116] Here, the rotation angle of the mouthpiece unit 3 relative to the instrument body 2 can also be restricted by the contact between both ends of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 in the circumferential direction. However, in such a configuration, in addition to the load associated with the axial displacement of the mouthpiece unit 3, the rotational load of the mouthpiece unit 3 will act on the small diameter portions 321, 331 (the circumferential ends of the insertion hole 30) and the projection 210, so the rigidity of the small diameter portions 321, 331 and the projection 210 needs to be increased accordingly.

[0117] To ensure the rigidity of these small-diameter sections 321, 331 and projections 210, one could consider configurations such as shortening the circumferential dimension of the insertion hole 30 (reducing the opening area of ​​the insertion hole 30) or increasing the diameter of the projections 210. However, such configurations would require shortening the range of motion of the projections 210 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it would be impossible to secure a wide range of motion for the inlet unit 3.

[0118] Furthermore, in order to ensure the rigidity of the small-diameter sections 321, 331 and the protrusions 210, it is conceivable to increase the diameter of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 itself, for example. However, with such a configuration, the electronic wind instrument 1 cannot imitate a long, slender instrument like a flute.

[0119] In contrast, in this embodiment, the rotation of the nozzle unit 3 is restricted by the inner circumferential projections 211, 221 and the outer circumferential projection 321e (see Figure 7(a)). When the inner circumferential projections 211, 221 and the outer circumferential projection 321e are in contact (the rotation of the nozzle unit 3 is restricted), a gap S4 (see Figure 7(a) or Figure 7(b)) is formed between the circumferential end of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210. This prevents the rotational load of the nozzle unit 3 from acting on the projection 210.

[0120] Figure 7(a) illustrates how a gap S4 is formed between the circumferential end of the insertion hole 30 and the projection 210 when the outer circumferential projection 321e is in contact with the inner circumferential projection 211. However, a similar gap is formed when the outer circumferential projection 321e is in contact with the inner circumferential projection 221. In this way, by creating a structure in which the rotational load of the blowing nozzle unit 3 does not act on the projection 210, the rigidity required for the small diameter portions 321, 331 and the projection 210 can be made relatively small. Therefore, it is not necessary to shorten the circumferential dimension of the insertion hole 30 or increase the diameter of the projection 210 in order to secure such rigidity, and a wide range of motion can be secured for the blowing nozzle unit 3.

[0121] Furthermore, it is not necessary to increase the diameter of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 itself in order to increase the rigidity of the small-diameter sections 321, 331 and the protrusions 210. Therefore, the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 can be made elongated, allowing the electronic wind instrument 1 to mimic an elongated instrument such as a flute.

[0122] Thus, the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 (the circumferential dimensions of the insertion hole 30 and the diameter of the projection 210) affects the rigidity and diameter of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3. For example, if the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 exceeds 50°, it becomes difficult to reduce the diameter while maintaining the necessary rigidity of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3. On the other hand, if the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 is less than 30°, it is not possible to secure a sufficient range of adjustment for the orientation of the mouthpieces 310 and 311 (see Figure 1).

[0123] Therefore, the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 is preferably 30° or more and 50° or less (in this embodiment, as described above, it is 40°). By making the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 50° or less, the diameters of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 can be reduced while maintaining the necessary rigidity of each housing. Also, by making the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 30° or more, a sufficient range of adjustment for the orientation of the mouthpieces 310 and 311 can be secured. However, the range of motion of the mouthpiece unit 3 may be less than 30° or more than 50°.

[0124] As shown in Figure 6, the end faces 212 and 222 of each housing 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2 in the axial direction abut with the end faces 327 and 336 of the large-diameter portions 320 and 330 of the mouthpiece unit 3 (each housing 32 and 33) in the same direction, and a boundary line L between the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 is formed at this abutting portion. This boundary line L is covered by a cylindrical covering material 42 attached to the outer circumferential surfaces of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3, thereby improving the appearance of the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0125] Steps 213 and 223 are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of each housing 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2, including their end faces 212 and 222. Similarly, steps 328 and 337 are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the large-diameter portions 320 and 330 of the mouthpiece unit 3, including their end faces 327 and 336. These steps 213, 223, 328, and 337 are recesses that extend circumferentially around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surfaces of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3, and the covering material 42 is attached to these steps 213, 223, 328, and 337.

[0126] The covering material 42 is made of a stretchable fabric (woven fabric), and when attaching the covering material 42 to the steps 213, 223, 328, and 337, the inner diameter of the covering material 42 is widened, and the covering material 42 is moved to the steps 213, 223, 328, and 337 while passing it from the head side of the mouthpiece unit 3 (the end opposite to the instrument body 2) to the inner circumference of the covering material 42. In this attached state of the covering material 42, the axial movement of the covering material 42 is restricted by the steps 213, 223, 328, and 337, so that the positional displacement of the covering material 42 can be prevented.

[0127] Since this cloth covering material 42 is absorbent, it can absorb moisture such as saliva that has traveled from the mouthpieces 310, 311 (see Figure 1) along the outer surface towards the instrument body 2. This prevents moisture from entering the inside of the instrument body 2 through gaps such as the mounting parts of the keys 20 (see Figure 1), thus preventing moisture from adhering to internal components of the instrument body 2, such as the circuit board 23.

[0128] The covering material 42 does not have to be made of such an elastic material; for example, it may be made of a hard material such as resin or metal. When forming the covering material 42 using such a hard material, the steps 213, 223, 328, and 337 formed in the mounting area of ​​the covering material 42 (the area including the boundary line L) described above can be omitted, and the covering material 42 can be configured to slide from the head side of the mouthpiece unit 3 to the mounting area, and the covering material 42 can be fixed to the outer surface of the instrument body 2 or the mouthpiece unit 3 with bolts or the like. By fixing such a hard covering material 42 to the area including the boundary line L between the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3, the spreading of the boundary portion (butt surface) can be restricted by the covering material 42.

[0129] Next, with reference to Figure 8, the electronic wind instrument 201 of the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the case in which the temperature change of the air in the branched channel 356 heated by the heater 362 is detected by the temperature sensor 360 was described, but in the second embodiment, the case in which the change in airflow (atmospheric pressure) in the branched channel 380 is detected using the pressure sensor 363 will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0130] As shown in Figure 8, the sensor module Sa of the electronic wind instrument 201 in the second embodiment is equipped with a pressure sensor 363 in place of the temperature sensor 360 and heater 362 (see Figure 4) described in the first embodiment, and cylindrical conduits 38 are provided in place of the walls 351 to 353 (see Figure 4) of the case 35. The pressure sensor 363 is a sensor that detects changes in atmospheric pressure, and a known configuration can be used, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0131] The pressure sensor 363 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 36, and a cylindrical connection port 363a is formed in the pressure sensor 363. One end of the conduit 38 is connected to the connection port 363a, and the other end of the conduit 38 is connected to the cylindrical portion 350 of the case 35. The conduit 38 may be formed integrally with the case 35 (cylindrical portion 350), or it may be a separate tube (for example, a flexible tube) from the case 35.

[0132] The cavity inside the conduit 38 is configured as a branched channel 380, and the opening 380a of this branched channel 380 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 350 (case-side channel 355). In other words, in this embodiment as well, the branched channel 380 branches off so as to intersect with the case-side channel 355. When the flow rate (flow velocity) of exhaled air flowing in the main channel (case-side channel 355) changes, a change also occurs in the airflow generated in the branched channel 380 (a secondary channel branching off from the main channel), and this change in airflow (atmospheric pressure) in the branched channel 380 is detected by the pressure sensor 363.

[0133] In this embodiment as well, the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 380a of the branch channel 380 is formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the part of the main flow channel to which the opening 380a of the branch channel 380 is connected (case-side flow channel 355). This has the effect of making it difficult for moisture-containing exhaled air to flow into the pressure sensor 363 side. Possible reasons for this effect include the fact that exhaled air passing through the case-side flow channel 355 is less likely to flow into the branch channel 380 side, and that exhaled air passing through the case-side flow channel 355 creates negative pressure in the branch channel 380, which in turn draws air in the branch channel 380 through the opening 380a into the case-side flow channel 355.

[0134] Next, the electronic wind instruments 301 and 401 of the third and fourth embodiments will be described with reference to Figure 9. In the embodiments described above, the case in which the substrate 34 to which the heater 341 is attached is a single-sided substrate was described, but in the third and fourth embodiments, the case in which the substrate 34 is a double-sided substrate having a conductor pattern 344 will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in the embodiments described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0135] Figure 9(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 301 of the third embodiment, and Figure 9(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 401 of the fourth embodiment. Note that Figure 9 shows the cross-section corresponding to Figure 5(a). Also, in Figure 9, the conductor pattern 344 and through-holes 345 of the substrate 34 are schematically shown for ease of understanding.

[0136] As shown in Figure 9(a), in the third embodiment of the electronic wind instrument 301, a conductive pattern 344 is formed on the surface of the substrate 34. The conductive pattern 344 is an electrically extended circuit (wiring) that electrically connects the heater 341, temperature sensor 342, temperature control device and power supply, and is formed by etching the copper foil covering the substrate 34. Multiple through-holes 345 are formed in the substrate 34 to connect the conductive pattern 344 to the heater 341 and temperature sensor 342. The through-holes 345 are through holes that penetrate in the thickness direction of the substrate 34, and by applying metal plating to the inner circumferential surface of the through-holes 345, the conductive pattern 344 on the surface of the substrate 34 and the circuit (wiring) on ​​the back surface are electrically connected, and heat is transferred.

[0137] On the surface side of the substrate 34, as in the embodiments described above, bent channels 314a and 315a are formed, surrounded by the partition wall 313 between the substrate 34 and the lip plate 31, and the conductor pattern 344 of the substrate 34 is formed at a position facing these bent channels 314a and 315a. Since the conductor pattern 344 has higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31 and other parts of the substrate 34 (parts where the conductor pattern 344 is not formed), the surface of the substrate 34 (the inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a and 315a) can be efficiently heated by heating the substrate 34 on which such a conductor pattern 344 (heat transfer material) is formed with the heater 341. Therefore, the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a and 315a can be suppressed.

[0138] Thus, when the objective is to form the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a with a material that has high thermal conductivity (heat transfer material), it is also possible to form the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a by using a metal plate 44 superimposed on the surface side of the substrate 34 (making the metal plate 44 function as a heat transfer material), for example, as in the fourth embodiment described later.

[0139] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a is formed by a substrate 34, and the bent channels 314a, 315a are heated using a conductive pattern 344 formed on the surface of this substrate 34 (the conductive pattern 344 functions as a heat transfer material). This eliminates the need for a metal plate 44 as in the fourth embodiment, thus reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, since through-holes 345 are formed in the substrate 34 to electrically connect the heater 341 and the conductive pattern 344, heat from the heater 341 is easily transferred to the conductive pattern 344 through the through-holes 345. As a result, the surface of the substrate 34 can be heated more efficiently, which suppresses the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a.

[0140] As shown in Figure 9(b), the electronic wind instrument 401 of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the electronic wind instrument 301 of the third embodiment, except that a heat transfer sheet 43 and a metal plate 44 are stacked sequentially on the surface of the substrate 34. The heat transfer sheet 43 is a resin heat dissipation material containing a heat conductive filler such as ceramic or metal, and since known configurations can be used, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0141] The heat transfer sheet 43 is formed in a sheet shape with adhesive properties on both its upper and lower surfaces, and the surface of the substrate 34 and the back surface of the metal plate 44 are bonded together via the heat transfer sheet 43. The metal plate 44 is formed in a plate shape using a metal such as aluminum, and notches 430 and 440 are formed in the heat transfer sheet 43 and the metal plate 44, respectively, that correspond to the notches 343 of the substrate 34 (see Figure 2 for the shape of the notches 343).

[0142] Although not shown in the diagram, the entire surface of the substrate 34 is covered by the heat transfer sheet 43 and the metal plate 44. In this embodiment, the walls of each bent channel 314a, 315a (mounting walls to which the heater 341 is attached) are formed by stacking the substrate 34, the heat transfer sheet 43 and the metal plate 44. The partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31 is abutted against the metal plate 44 which is stacked on the outermost surface of this wall, and this abutted portion is joined with an adhesive or the like, as in the embodiments described above.

[0143] The metal plate 44 (heat transfer material) that forms the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a is formed to have higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31 and the substrate 34 (the part where the conductor pattern 344 is not formed). By heating the substrate 34, which is stacked on the back side of this metal plate 44, with the heater 341, the inner wall surface (the surface of the metal plate 44) of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be heated efficiently. Therefore, the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed.

[0144] Furthermore, since the partition wall 313 abuts against the metal plate 44, each bent channel 314a, 315a is formed, and substantially the entire area of ​​each bent channel 314a, 315a surrounded by the partition wall 313 can be brought into contact with the metal plate 44. As a result, compared to the case where the conductive pattern 344 formed on a portion of the surface of the substrate 34 is brought into contact with each bent channel 314a, 315a, as in the third embodiment described above, the inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be efficiently heated by the metal plate 44. Therefore, the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed.

[0145] Furthermore, since the substrate 34 is placed on the back side of the metal plate 44 that forms the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a, and the heater 341 is attached to the back side of the substrate 34, compared to the case where the bottom surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a is formed by the substrate 34 as in the third embodiment, the exposure of the substrate 34 to each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed. As a result, contact between the substrate 34 and the exhaled breath containing moisture or moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed, thereby suppressing damage to the substrate 34.

[0146] Furthermore, since the substrate 34 includes a conductive pattern 344 formed on its surface and a through-hole 345 connecting the conductive pattern 344 to the heater 341, heat from the heater 341 is easily transferred to the metal plate 44 via the through-hole 345 and the conductive pattern 344. As a result, the inner walls of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be efficiently heated by the metal plate 44, thereby suppressing the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a.

[0147] Furthermore, since the heat transfer sheet 43 sandwiched between the substrate 34 and the metal plate 44 is softer (less hard) than the substrate 34 and the metal plate 44, the heat transfer sheet 43 can be tightly attached to the surface of the substrate 34 and the back surface of the metal plate 44 without any gaps. The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer sheet 43 is higher than that of the partition wall 313 and the substrate 34 (the part where the conductor pattern 344 is not formed), so the heat from the heater 341 can be efficiently transferred to the metal plate 44 via the heat transfer sheet 43. As a result, the inner wall surface of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be efficiently heated by the metal plate 44, so that the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a can be suppressed.

[0148] Furthermore, since heat from the heater 341 is transferred to the heat transfer sheet 43 via the conductive pattern 344 and through-holes 345 of the substrate 34, the heat from the heater 341 is more easily transferred to the metal plate 44 via the heat transfer sheet 43. As a result, the inner walls of each bent channel 314a, 315a can be efficiently heated by the metal plate 44, thereby suppressing the accumulation of moisture in each bent channel 314a, 315a.

[0149] Although the above-described embodiments have been explained, the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0150] In the embodiments described above, the electronic wind instruments 1,201,301,401 were described as being electronic instruments that imitate flutes, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the electronic wind instruments 1,201,301,401 may imitate other wind instruments (such as saxophones, clarinets, recorders, flutes, etc.).

[0151] Examples of electronic wind instruments that imitate other wind instruments of this type include those described in International Publication No. 2019 / 224996 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-039261. In such electronic wind instruments, when a sensor that detects exhalation inside the mouthpiece (tube) and a circuit board provided inside the instrument body are connected by wiring, it is preferable to apply a rotation structure similar to that of the mouthpiece unit 3 (tube) described in each of the above embodiments, and to restrict the rotation angle of the mouthpiece (tube) relative to the instrument body to a predetermined angle. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the wiring connecting the sensor and the circuit board when the mouthpiece rotates.

[0152] In the embodiments described above, the main flow path is described as being composed of a first bent flow path 314a, a second bent flow path 315a, a housing-side flow path 323a, a throttling flow path 326, and a case-side flow path 355, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, some or all of the connection parts of each of these flow paths 314a, 315a, 323a, 326, and 355 may be modified, or parts of each of the flow paths 314a, 315a, 323a, 326, and 355 may be bent. In other words, the shape of the main flow path connecting each of the inlet ports 310 and 311 to the first exhaust port 334 can be arbitrarily changed, and the present invention can be applied to any electronic wind instrument that has branched flow paths that intersect the main flow path.

[0153] In the embodiments described above, the case-side channel 355, which is part of the main channel, is formed by the case 35 of the sensor modules Sa and Sb (the sensor modules Sa and Sb provide part of the main channel), but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, in addition to the case-side channel 355, the sensor modules Sa and Sb may also provide part or all of the first bent channel 314a, the second bent channel 315a, the housing-side channel 323a, and the throttling channel 326. That is, the lip plate 31 that forms the main channel, part of the blowing-side housing 32 (for example, the mounting holes 322 and the lower projection 325), and part or all of the substrate 34 may also be components of the sensor modules Sa and Sb.

[0154] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the lip plate 31 has first bent channels 314a, 314b and second bent channels 315a, 315b is formed, has been explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, either the first bent channels 314a, 314b or the second bent channels 315a, 315b may be omitted, and the inlets 310, 311 and the housing-side channels 323a, 323b may be connected via the other bent channel. Alternatively, both the first bent channels 314a, 314b and the second bent channels 315a, 315b may be omitted, and the inlets 310, 311 and the housing-side channels 323a, 323b may be connected in a straight line.

[0155] In the embodiments described above, cases in which diaphragm channels 316a and 326 are formed in the middle of each bent channel 314a and 315a, or between the housing-side channel 323a and the case-side channel 355 (i.e., in the main channel upstream of the branched channel) have been explained, but the invention is not limited to these cases. For example, either one or both of the diaphragm channels 316a and 326 may be omitted, or a diaphragm channel may be formed in the case-side channel 355 (i.e., in the case 35).

[0156] In the embodiments described above, a case in which a leak channel 322b is formed in the second bent channel 315a (the main channel upstream of the branch channel) was explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the leak channel 322b may be omitted (the gap between the substrate 34 and the blowing side housing 32 may be sealed), or a channel equivalent to the leak channel 322b may be formed in another part of the main channel.

[0157] In other words, the airflow path from each inlet 310, 311 to the temperature sensor 360 and pressure sensor 363 (first exhaust port 334) is not limited to the paths described in the above embodiments, and the shape (path) of the airflow path can be arbitrarily formed.

[0158] In the embodiments described above, the cases in which the first and second exhaust ports 334 and 335 are formed in the exhaust-side housing 33 have been explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to these cases. For example, an exhaust port corresponding to the first exhaust port 334 (i.e., an exhaust port for exhausting exhaled air from the main flow path) may be formed in the inlet-side housing 32, or the second exhaust port 335 may be omitted (or in addition to the second exhaust port) and an exhaust port for ventilating the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 may be formed in the inlet-side housing 32.

[0159] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the opening dimension of the second exhaust port 335 in the circumferential direction expands toward the outer circumference has been explained, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the opening dimension of the second exhaust port 335 in the circumferential direction may be constant from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, or it may narrow from the inner circumference to the outer circumference.

[0160] In the embodiments described above, the exhaust ports 334, 335 and recesses 333b are covered by a decorative body 37 in which the first to third covering portions 370 to 372 are integrally formed, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the first to third covering portions 370 to 372 may be formed separately, or some or all of the first to third covering portions 370 to 372 may be omitted.

[0161] In the embodiments described above, the second exhaust port 335 is covered by a second covering portion 371 that extends in the axial direction, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the second exhaust port 335 may be covered with a covering portion having a through hole that penetrates radially, similar to the first covering portion 370 and the third covering portion 372, or the first exhaust port 334 and the recess 333b may be covered with a covering portion that extends in the axial direction.

[0162] In the embodiments described above, a case was explained in which a pair of inclined surfaces 371a are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second covering portion 371 so as to be aligned via a ridge, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a flat or curved surface may be formed at the boundary between the pair of inclined surfaces 371a, or the inner circumferential surface of the second covering portion 371 may be flat.

[0163] In the embodiments described above, bolts B1, B2, and B3 are used to fix the components of the electronic wind instruments 1,201, 301, and 401 together, but other screw parts or fastening parts may be used.

[0164] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the housings 32 and 33 of the mouthpiece unit 3 are inserted into the inner circumference of the housings 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2 has been explained. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the housings 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2 are inserted into the inner circumference of the housings 32 and 33 of the mouthpiece unit 3.

[0165] Furthermore, regarding the cylindrical portions (first and second cylindrical portions) of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 in this insertion section, the above embodiments described a case in which the cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion) of the instrument body 2 is formed by two housings 21 and 22, and the cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion) of the mouthpiece unit 3 is formed by two housings 32 and 33 (small diameter portions 321 and 331), but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, one or both of the cylindrical portions (first and second cylindrical portions) of the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 may be made from a single housing.

[0166] In the embodiments described above, the axial displacement of the nozzle unit 3 is restricted by the projection 210, while the rotation of the nozzle unit 3 is restricted by the outer peripheral projection 321e (inner peripheral projections 211, 221). However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the axial displacement of the nozzle unit 3 may be restricted by the outer peripheral projection 321e, or the rotation of the nozzle unit 3 may be restricted by the projection 210. Furthermore, the stopper (second stopper) that restricts the axial displacement of the nozzle unit 3 may be omitted.

[0167] Alternatively, instead of using the projections 210 for fastening the individual housings 21 and 22 of the instrument body 2 together with bolts B1, a configuration may be provided in which dedicated grooves and protrusions are made to restrict the axial displacement of the mouthpiece unit 3. As an example of such a configuration, a recess is formed on one of the inner circumferential surfaces of the instrument body 2 (each housing 21 and 22) and the outer circumferential surface of the mouthpiece unit 3 (small diameter sections 321 and 331), while a protrusion that fits into the recess is formed on the other surface, thereby restricting the axial displacement of the mouthpiece unit 3 with these grooves and protrusions.

[0168] In the embodiments described above, the rotation of the mouthpiece unit 3 is restricted by forming two inner circumferential protrusions 211, 221 on each of the housings 21, 22 of the instrument body 2, while forming one outer circumferential protrusion 321e on the blowing-side housing 32 (small diameter portion 321) of the mouthpiece unit 3. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, two inner circumferential protrusions may be formed on either one of the housings 21, 22 of the instrument body 2. Alternatively, the rotation of the mouthpiece unit 3 may be restricted by forming one inner circumferential protrusion on the instrument body 2 side and two outer circumferential protrusions on the mouthpiece unit 3 side.

[0169] In the embodiments described above, cases in which the projection 210 is formed in a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section) or in which rib-shaped protrusions 210a extending across both longitudinal ends of the projection 210 are formed have been explained, but the invention is not limited to these cases. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the projection 210 may be rectangular or other polygonal, and the protrusions 210a of the projection 210 may be omitted.

[0170] In the embodiments described above, the case in which a pair of O-rings 39 are arranged on both sides (in the axial direction of the mouthpiece unit 3) with respect to the projection 210 has been explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the pair of O-rings 39 may be arranged on one side of the projection 210 in the axial direction (for example, on the side of the instrument body 2), or on the other side of the projection 210 in the axial direction.

[0171] In the embodiments described above, the cross-sectional shape of the O-ring 39 is semicircular and the cross-sectional shape of the bottom surface of the grooves 321b and 331b is planar, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, the O-ring 39 may be formed with a circular cross-section, or the bottom surface of the grooves 321b and 331b may be formed in an arc shape.

[0172] In the embodiments described above, the boundary L between the instrument body 2 and the mouthpiece unit 3 is covered with a water-absorbing covering material 42, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the covering material 42 may be made of a material that does not absorb water, or the covering material 42 may be omitted.

[0173] In the embodiments described above, partition walls 321c, 331c having notches 321d, 331d (through holes) are formed in the blowing port unit 3, and a cylindrical member 41 (elastic body) for bundling multiple wires 40 is attached to the notches 321d, 331d. However, the invention is not limited to these cases. For example, walls corresponding to the partition walls 321c, 331c may be formed on the instrument body 2 (each housing 21, 22), or the cylindrical member 41 may be omitted, and the wires 40 may be passed directly through the notches 321d, 331d.

[0174] In the embodiments described above, the substrate 34 is attached to the bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322 of the blowing-side housing 32, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the substrate 34 (heater 341) may be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the blowing-side housing 32 on the opposite side of the bottom surface 322a, or the substrate 34 (heater 341) may be omitted. In addition, a separate substrate (heater) may be provided to heat the case-side flow path 355 or the branch flow path 380.

[0175] In the embodiments described above, the case in which each of the bent channels 314a, 315a, the throttling channel 316a, the housing-side channel 323a, and the throttling channel 326 is heated by the heater 341 has been explained, but the invention is not limited to this. As stated above, the shape (path) of the channels from each of the inlet ports 310, 311 to the temperature sensor 360 and the pressure sensor 363 is arbitrary, so the arrangement of the heater 341 (heating element) that heats the inner wall surface of the channel is also arbitrary. In addition, in the embodiments described above, the case in which the heater 341 is attached to the back surface of the substrate 34 (the surface opposite to the bottom surface of the channel) has been explained, but the heater 341 may also be attached to the front surface of the substrate 34 (the bottom surface of the channel).

[0176] In the first to third embodiments described above, the substrate 34 (mounting wall) to which the heater 341 is attached and the partition wall 313 that abuts against the surface of the substrate 34 (bottom surface of the flow path) are described as separate components, and the abutting portion of the partition wall 313 against the substrate 34 is joined. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the mounting wall to which the heater 341 is attached and the partition wall that abuts against the mounting wall (bottom surface of the flow path) may be fastened together with fastening components such as bolts (without joining the abutting portion of the partition wall), or the mounting wall and partition wall may be formed as a single unit.

[0177] In the first and second embodiments described above, the case in which the partition wall 313 of the lip plate 31 abuts against the surface of a substrate 34 (single-sided substrate) that does not have a conductor pattern 344 was described, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the metal plate 44 of the fourth embodiment may be sandwiched between the substrate 34 and the partition wall 313 of the first and second embodiments. In this configuration, a heat transfer sheet 43 may be provided between the substrate 34 and the metal plate 44, or the heat transfer sheet 43 may be omitted.

[0178] Furthermore, when forming the bent channels 314a and 315a by butting the partition wall 313 against the metal plate 44, it is not always necessary to superimpose the substrate 34 on the back side of the metal plate 44. For example, the substrate 34 may be provided on another part of the instrument body 2 or the mouthpiece unit 3 (each housing 21, 22, 32, 33), and a heater 341 electrically connected to the substrate 34 may be attached to the back side of the metal plate 44. In this configuration as well, since the metal plate 44 functions as a heat transfer material with higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall 313, the inner wall surface (surface of the metal plate 44) of each bent channel 314a and 315a can be efficiently heated by the heat of the heater 341.

[0179] In the first embodiment described above, a case was described in which a projection 357 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case-side flow path 355 (main flow path), but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the projection 357 may be omitted, and an opening 356a for the branch flow path 356 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case-side flow path 355. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, a projection 357 connected to the conduit 38 (branch flow path 380) may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case-side flow path 355.

[0180] In the first embodiment described above, a case in which a tapered surface 356c is formed in the branched channel 356 was explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the tapered surface 356c may be omitted, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the branched channel 356 may be constant across both ends in the axial direction, or a surface similar to the tapered surface 356c may be formed on the opening 356b side.

[0181] In the first embodiment described above, a case was described in which a vent 333c connecting the opening 356b of the branch channel 356 to the outside is formed in the boss 333 (recess 333b), but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the opening 356b of the branch channel 356 may be connected to the outside via a vent (exhaust port) provided in a part other than the boss 333 (recess 333b).

[0182] In the fourth embodiment described above, a case was described in which a heat transfer sheet 43 and a metal plate 44 are sandwiched between the partition wall 313 and the substrate 34, but the heat transfer sheet 43 or the metal plate 44 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 1,201,301,401 Electronic wind instruments 31 Lip Plate 310 Upper inlet (inlet) 311 Lower air inlet (air inlet) 313 Bulkhead 314a, 314b First curved channel (curved channel, channel) 315a, 315b Second curved channel (curved channel, channel) 316a, 316b Aperture channel (channel) 32. Inlet housing (housing) 326 Aperture channel (channel) 34. Substrate (mounting wall, part of the mounting wall) 341 Heater (heating element) 344 Conductor Pattern (Heat Transfer Material) 345 Through Hole 360° Temperature Sensor (Sensor) 363 Pressure Sensor (Sensor) 43 Heat transfer sheet (part of the mounting wall) 44. Metal plate (heat transfer material, part of the mounting wall)

Claims

1. An electronic wind instrument comprising: a housing; an air intake port provided in the housing; a flow path extending from the air intake port into the interior of the housing; a sensor provided in the flow path for detecting exhaled breath; and a heating element for heating the flow path upstream of the sensor.

2. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating element is attached to the back surface opposite to the inner wall surface of the flow path.

3. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow path is formed by a mounting wall to which the heating element is attached and a partition wall abutting against the mounting wall.

4. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the mounting wall constitutes at least a part of the inner wall surface of the flow path and is provided with a heat transfer material that has a higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall.

5. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the heat transfer material is a metal plate that forms the inner wall surface of the flow path.

6. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that the mounting wall is superimposed on the back side of the metal plate and comprises a substrate to which the heating element is attached on the back side.

7. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the substrate comprises a conductor pattern formed on the surface of the metal plate and through holes connecting the conductor pattern to the heating element.

8. The mounting wall is sandwiched between the metal plate and the substrate and comprises a heat transfer sheet that is softer than the metal plate and the substrate. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the heat transfer sheet has a higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall.

9. The mounting wall comprises a substrate that forms the inner wall surface of the flow path, The electronic wind instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the substrate comprises a conductive pattern formed on the surface on the channel side and configured as the heat transfer material, and through holes connecting the conductive pattern to the heating element.

10. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the abutting portion of the partition wall is joined to the mounting wall.

11. The outer surface has the aforementioned air inlet and is equipped with a lip plate that is attached to the housing, The electronic wind instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the partition wall is formed on the inner surface of the lip plate.

12. The aforementioned flow path is formed upstream of the sensor and includes a curved flow path that bends with respect to the direction in which exhaled air is blown into the inlet. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the bent channel is heated by the heating element.

13. The flow path is formed upstream of the sensor and comprises a throttled flow path in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is partially reduced. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the throttling channel is heated by the heating element.

14. The flow path is formed upstream of the sensor and comprises a throttled flow path in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is partially reduced. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow path upstream of the throttling flow path is heated by the heating element.

15. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature of the heating element is controlled so that the temperature of the inner wall surface of the flow path is 30°C or more and 45°C or less.

16. A method for mounting a heating element in an electronic wind instrument, comprising a housing, an exhalation port provided in the housing, a flow path extending from the exhalation port into the interior of the housing, and a sensor provided in the flow path for detecting exhalation, A method for mounting a heating element, characterized in that a heating element that heats the flow path upstream of the sensor is attached to a wall surrounding the flow path.

Images