Electronic wind instrument and operation detection method

Abstract

To provide an electronic wind instrument and operation detection method that mimic the operation of an acoustic wind instrument while simplifying the operating mechanism. [Solution] Each of the multiple control elements 20a to 20j, which are rotated by the performer, is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis 215 arranged in a straight line. The rotation of the multiple control elements 20a to 20j is directly detected by individual switches 241. Therefore, while mimicking the operation of a flute in terms of the rotation operation of the control elements 20a to 20j, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1 caused by numerous axes arranged circumferentially in addition to the axis 215, and thus simplify the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic wind instrument and an operation detection method, and particularly to an electronic wind instrument and an operation detection method that can simplify an operation mechanism while imitating the operation of an acoustic wind instrument.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electronic wind instrument that employs the same operation mechanism as an acoustic wind instrument. In this electronic wind instrument and acoustic wind instrument, there are a plurality of operators such as keys and levers that are directly touched and rotated by the performer, and a plurality of interlocking lids that rotate in conjunction with the operation of the operator without the performer directly touching them. Since some of the operators and the interlocking lids are separated, a number of shafts for transmitting the rotational operation of the operator to the interlocking lid need to be provided so as to bypass the shaft that rotatably supports the operator.

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 electronic wind instrument, by imitating the operation mechanism of an acoustic wind instrument, there is a problem that the structure of the electronic wind instrument becomes complicated due to a number of shafts for transmitting the rotational operation of the operator to the interlocking lid.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic wind instrument and an operation detection method that can simplify an operation mechanism while imitating the operation of an acoustic wind instrument.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve this objective, the electronic wind instrument of the present invention comprises a cylindrical housing, an axis attached to the outside of the housing and positioned in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the housing, a plurality of controls each supported so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about the axis on the straight line and rotated by a performer, and a plurality of detection units each individually directly detect the rotation of the plurality of controls.

[0007] The present invention provides an operation detection method for an electronic wind instrument, comprising: a cylindrical housing; an axis mounted on the outside of the housing and arranged in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the housing; a plurality of controls each rotatably supported relative to the housing about the axis on the straight line and rotated by a performer; and a plurality of detection units for detecting the rotation of each of the plurality of controls, wherein each of the plurality of detection units individually and directly detects the rotation of the plurality of controls themselves. [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 inner side, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the air intake 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 magnified perspective view of an electronic wind instrument, showing the instrument body disassembled and the controls removed. [Figure 7](a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument in a position including the first lid operator in the unpressed state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument in a position including the first lid operator in the pressed state. [Figure 8] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument in a position including the second lid operator in an unpressed state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument in a position including the first lever operator in an unpressed state. [Figure 9] (a) is a cross-sectional view of an electronic wind instrument in a position including the second lever operator in the unpressed state, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the rotation range of each operator and the movable range of the switch. [Figure 10] (a) is a partially enlarged top view of an electronic wind instrument, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument along the line Xb-Xb in Figure 10(a). [Figure 11] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument along the line XIa-XIa in Figure 10(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument along the line XIb-XIb in Figure 10(a). [Figure 12] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] (a) is a partially enlarged top view of the electronic wind instrument according to the third embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument along the line XIIIb-XIIIb in Figure 13(a). [Figure 14] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument according to the fifth 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 in a disassembled state. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece unit 3. 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 comprises an instrument body 2 that imitates the body and foot joint 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), and multiple controls 20, each operated by the performer, are attached to the outer surface of the upper housing 21. Specifically, the multiple controls 20 consist of five first lid controls 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, 20j, one second lid control 20c, one first lever control 20d, four second lever controls 20e, 20g, 20i, 20k, one first interlocking control 20m, and one second interlocking control 20n.

[0012] The electronic wind instrument 1 is configured such that each of the multiple controls 20a to 20n acquires an ON state (pressed state) when pressed toward the upper casing 21 by the performer, and an OFF state (unpressed state) when not pressed. Furthermore, the pitch based on this acquired ON / OFF state is applied to the musical sound produced.

[0013] Note that the operators 20a to 20n are not limited to the above 13, and may be 12 or less or 14 or more. Some of the operators 20a to 20n may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower housing 22 or the like. Further details of the operators 20a to 20n will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11(b).

[0014] A cylindrical protrusion 210 (boss) is integrally formed at the end of the upper housing 21 on the side of the blowing port unit 3 in the axial direction. The protrusion 210 protrudes from the inner peripheral 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 protrusion 210.

[0015] An insertion hole 30 for inserting the protrusion 210 of the upper housing 21 is formed at the end of the blowing port unit 3 on the side of the musical instrument body 2 in the axial direction, and a bolt hole (fastening hole) not shown is formed at the tip of the protrusion 210 of the upper housing 21. With the protrusion 210 of the upper housing 21 inserted into the insertion hole 30 of the blowing port unit 3, the blowing port unit 3 is attached to the musical instrument body 2 by screwing the bolt B1 passed through the through hole 220 into the protrusion 210.

[0016] A lip plate 31 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the blowing port unit 3, and an upper blowing port 310 (first blowing port) and a lower blowing port 311 (second blowing port) are formed side by side in the circumferential direction on the lip plate 31. Each of these blowing ports 310, 311 is a rectangular opening formed horizontally in the axial direction of the blowing port unit 3. The performance of the electronic wind instrument 1 is performed by switching (dividing) the blowing direction of exhalation to each of the blowing ports 310, 311 while the performer operates the operator 20.

[0017] Electronic components such as a substrate 23 are housed in the internal space surrounded by the respective housings 21, 22 of the musical instrument body 2. A CPU is provided on the substrate 23, and musical sounds are generated based on the operation state of the above-described operator 20 and the blowing state (blowing amount) of exhalation into each of the blowing ports 310, 311 by the musical sound generation process executed by this CPU.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the inlet unit 3 comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical inlet-side housing 32 (third housing) and an exhaust-side housing 33 (fourth housing). Each of these housings 32 and 33 is a resin component having a relatively large diameter section 320 and 330, and a small diameter section 321 and 331 formed on one axial end of the large diameter section 320 and 330, which has a smaller diameter than the large diameter section 320 and 330.

[0019] 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 notches 321a and 331a are formed at both ends in the circumferential direction of the small-diameter portions 321 and 331 of each housing 32 and 33, respectively, and the aforementioned insertion hole 30 (see Figure 1(b)) is formed by overlapping the housings 32 and 33.

[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 the mounting hole 322 and the lip plate 31. This substrate 34 is for heating the lip plate 31 to remove moisture, and the details of the heating configuration 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] A housing-side flow path 323 is formed on the bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322 for passing exhaled air blown in from each of the inlet ports 310 and 311. The housing-side flow paths 323 are formed in pairs, spaced apart in the axial direction of the inlet-side housing 32 (inlet unit 3). The exhaled air that has passed through this pair of housing-side flow paths 323 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 323 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 one of the pair of housing-side channels 323.

[0035] The first bent passage 314b is a passage 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 passage 314b (the right side in Figure 3(b)), the second bent passage 315b bends vertically (in the circumferential direction of the inlet housing 32 and in the same direction as the second bent passage 315a), and the downstream portion of this second bent passage 315b is connected to the other housing-side passage 323.

[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 one of the housing-side flow paths 323 through the first bent flow path 314a, the throttling flow path 316a, and the second bent flow path 315a. On the other hand, as indicated by arrow B, exhaled air blown in from the lower inlet 311 is introduced into the other housing-side flow path 323 through the first bent flow path 314b, the throttling flow path 316b, and the second bent flow path 315b.

[0039] Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the exhaled air flow path from the housing-side flow path 323 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 of the housing-side flow path 323 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 323 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 (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 323, 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 323, the throttling passage 326, and the case-side passage 355. Hereafter, these passages 314a, 315a, 323, 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 in the main channel (case-side channel 355) changes, a change also occurs in the airflow within the branch channel 356 (a secondary channel branching off from the main channel). This change in airflow within 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 changes in airflow within the branch channel 356, it is necessary to prevent saliva contained in the exhaled air and moisture generated 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 in the main channel can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360 based on changes in the airflow within 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, in this embodiment, if the temperature sensor 360 detects the temperature change of the air in the branch channel 356 heated by the heater 362, 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 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 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 occurrence 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 flow path upstream of the main flow path, for example, compared to the case where the upper inlet 310 and the housing-side flow path 323 are connected in a straight line, it is possible to suppress the generation of airflow in the case-side flow path 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 323 and the case-side passage 355, which has a smaller cross-sectional area than each of the passages 323 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 sensor 342 (see Figure 5(a) for both). The heater 341 can use a known heat-generating element such as a chip resistor, and the sensor 342 can use a known temperature sensor such as a thermistor, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0073] The temperature of the substrate 34, as a result of heating by the heater 341, is detected by the sensor 342. Based on the detection result of the sensor 342, the heater 341 is controlled to repeatedly turn on and off (or the temperature of the heater 341 changes). This control of the heater 341 ensures that the temperature of the substrate 34 is maintained at around 30°C to 35°C.

[0074] By heating the substrate 34 that constitutes 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.

[0075] Furthermore, by heating the substrate 34 with the heater 341, the housing-side flow path 323 connected to the second bent flow path 315a and the throttling flow path 326 located downstream of the housing-side flow path 323 can also be heated. Therefore, saliva adhering to the housing-side flow path 323 and the throttling flow path 326 can be dried, and the generation of moisture due to condensation in the housing-side flow path 323 and the throttling flow path 326 can be suppressed.

[0076] By preventing moisture from accumulating in the main channel upstream of the throttling channel 326 and the opening 356a of the branch channel 356 (see Figure 4), it is possible to prevent that moisture from flowing downstream of the main channel along with the exhaled breath. As a result, the throttling channel 326 and the opening 356a of the branch channel 356 are prevented from being blocked by moisture, allowing the exhaled breath flowing in the main channel to be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 360 (see Figure 4).

[0077] 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)).

[0078] More specifically, the housing-side flow path 323 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the structure of the electronic wind instrument 1 at the location where the control elements 20a to 20j are attached will be described. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the electronic wind instrument 1, showing the instrument body 2 disassembled and the control elements 20a to 20j removed. Note that the arrows UD, FB, and LR in Figure 6 indicate the vertical, horizontal, and axial directions of the electronic wind instrument 1, respectively, and the same applies to Figure 7(a) and subsequent figures. Also, in Figure 6, the illustration of the various parts of the instrument body 2 (lower housing 22, etc.) located below the circuit board 24 (arrow D side) is omitted, and the same applies to Figures 7(a) to 9(a), 10(b) to 11(b), 14(a), and 14(b).

[0088] The part of the instrument body 2 to which the controls 20a to 20j are attached corresponds to the body tube of the flute. A circuit board 24 is placed on the inner circumference side of the upper housing 21 in this part. Multiple through holes 24a (six in this embodiment) are formed in the circuit board 24 for passing bolts B4. Bolt holes (not shown) are formed at the lower ends of multiple bosses 211a (see Figure 7(a)) that protrude downward from the inner circumference of the upper housing 21. The circuit board 24 is fixed to the upper housing 21 by screwing the multiple bolts B4 that have been passed through the through holes 24a into these bolt holes.

[0089] The circuit board 24 is provided with 10 switches (detection units) 241 that individually detect the operating state of the 10 operators 20a to 20j. All 10 of these switches 241 are identically configured and are arranged in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the upper housing 21, so as to be located directly below each of the operators 20a to 20j.

[0090] From the front side (arrow F side) of the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21, support parts 212a, 212b, and 212c rise upward (arrow U direction), and are aligned in a straight line parallel to the axial direction. Between the leftmost support part 212a (arrow L side) and the rightmost support part 212c (arrow R side), multiple support parts (four in this embodiment) 212b are arranged.

[0091] Through holes 213 are formed at the upper ends of the support portions 212a and 212b, respectively, penetrating in the axial direction. A bolt hole 214 is formed at the upper end of the support portion 212c, opening towards the support portion 212b. By inserting a shaft 215 into the multiple through holes 213 from the support portion 212a side and screwing the threaded portion 215a provided at one end of the shaft 215 into the bolt hole 214, a single shaft 215 is attached to the outer circumference of the upper housing 21 so that it spans across the multiple support portions 212a to 212c. The shaft 215 attached in this manner is positioned in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the upper housing 21.

[0092] Each of the control elements 20a to 20j is rotatably supported around an axis 215 arranged in a straight line, and they are arranged from left to right in the order of control elements 20a to 20j. In a flute, the performer rotates multiple control elements such as keys that are arranged along the axis, so this type of rotational support makes the feel of operating the control elements 20a to 20j closer to that of operating a flute.

[0093] Each of the control elements 20a to 20j comprises an operating section 25a to 25j that the performer directly touches and operates, a connecting section 26a to 26j that connects the operating section 25a to 25j to the shaft 215, and an actuator 27a to 27j that protrudes downward from the operating section 25a to 25j or the connecting section 26a to 26j, and is integrally formed using a resin material. Each of the actuators 27a to 27j is a plate-shaped part that transmits the rotational operation of each control element 20a to 20j to the switch 241 directly below it by contacting the switch 241 through a through hole 217 provided in the upper housing 21. The through hole 217 is a recess created by indenting the outer surface of the upper housing 21 toward the inside of the upper housing 21, and communicating with the inside of the upper housing 21.

[0094] The operating parts 25a, 25b, 25f, 25h, 25j of the first lid operators 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, 20j and the operating part 25c of the second lid operator 20c are each formed in a disc shape. The first lid operators 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, 20j and the second lid operator 20c are modeled after the keys integrated with the lid that open and close the tone holes in a flute.

[0095] In a vertical view, the centers of the operating parts 25a, 25b, 25f, 25h, and 25j are aligned on a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the upper housing 21, while the center of the operating part 25c is offset to the rear in the circumferential direction (towards arrow B). This offset in the centers is the main difference between the first lid operating elements 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, and 20j and the second lid operating element 20c, and this offset mimics the key arrangement of an offset-key type flute.

[0096] In contrast to these, the operating part 25d of the first lever operator 20d is not disc-shaped like the operating part 25a, but is formed as a rod-shaped (lever-shaped) part extending in the axial direction of the upper housing 21. Similarly, the operating parts 25e, 25g, and 25i of the second lever operators 20e, 20g, and 20i are formed as rod-shaped (lever-shaped) parts extending in the circumferential direction. The first lever operator 20d and the second lever operators 20e, 20g, and 20i are modeled after levers used in a flute to open and close lids at a distance using an interlocking mechanism.

[0097] First, the first lid operators 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, and 20j will be explained with reference to Figure 6, as well as Figures 7(a) and 7(b). Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 at a position including the first lid operator 20b in the unpressed state. Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 at a position including the first lid operator 20b in the pressed state. In Figures 7(a) and 7(b), cross-sections are shown that are cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the electronic wind instrument 1, and some of the components further inside the cross-section are omitted from the illustration. The same applies to Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 9(a).

[0098] The operating sections 25b, 25f, 25h, and 25j are all formed in the shape of a disc with the same outer diameter, while the outer diameter of operating section 25a is smaller than that of the others. Due to this difference in outer diameter, the length of the connecting section 26a connecting operating section 25a to the shaft 215 is longer than the length L1 of the connecting sections 26b, 26f, 26h, and 26j connecting operating sections 25b, 25f, 25h, and 25j to the shaft 215. The first lid operating elements 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, and 20j and the surrounding upper housing 21 are configured substantially the same in all other respects, so we will mainly describe the first lid operating element 20b and its surroundings shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), and omit some of the other descriptions.

[0099] The connecting portion 26b of the first lid operator 20b is formed in the shape of an arm extending in the circumferential direction (front-to-back direction) of the upper housing 21. The operating portion 25b is connected to the circumferential tip (rear end) of the connecting portion 26b. The circumferential base end (front end) of the connecting portion 26b is formed by a cylindrical tube portion 261b. The shaft 215 is inserted into the inner circumference of this tube portion 261b, thereby rotatably attaching the first lid operator 20b to the upper housing 21. The first lid operators 20a, 20f, 20h, and 20j each have a tube portion 261a, 261f, 261h, and 261j that are substantially identical to the tube portion 261b.

[0100] From the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 below the first lid operator 20b, a roughly cylindrical projection 216b, modeled after the tone holes of a flute, protrudes upward toward the operating section 25b. The operating section 25b, which rotates downward (towards the upper housing 21) when pushed by the performer, is restricted from rotating downward by hitting the upper end of the projection 216b. In other words, the projection 216b constitutes a push-side stopper that restricts this downward rotation. Projections 216a, 216f, 216h, and 216j, which are roughly identical to projection 216b, protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 toward the operating sections 25a, 25f, 25h, and 25j, respectively.

[0101] Furthermore, a cushion 251 made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge is attached to the underside of the resin portion of the operating section 25b at the position where the upper end of the protruding portion 216b makes contact. This allows the cushion 251 to suppress the sound and vibration that occurs when the operating section 25b and the upper end of the protruding portion 216b make contact.

[0102] An actuator 27b protrudes almost vertically from the lower surface of the operating part 25b on the front side (axis 215 side) of the cushion 251 and passes through a through hole 217 in the upper housing 21. When the performer tries to rotate the first lid operator 20b, which has been pushed downward, upward (return direction) away from the upper housing 21, the actuator 27b hits the rear wall surface 217a of the through hole 217, and its rotation is restricted. In this way, the actuator 27b also serves as a return-side stopper that restricts upward rotation. Therefore, compared to the case where the actuator 27b and the return-side stopper are provided separately (for example, the fifth embodiment in Figure 14(b)), their structures can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0103] Here, for example, in the conventional technology described in Figure 1 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-243097, a return stopper is provided at the end of an arm extending from the coupling portion of the operator to the opposite side of the operator, and the upward rotation of the operator is restricted by pressing this return stopper against the outer surface of the housing. In this case, the return stopper may complicate the appearance of the electronic wind instrument or make it difficult to miniaturize the electronic wind instrument.

[0104] In contrast, in this embodiment, the return stopper (actuator 27b) protrudes from the first lid operator 20b toward the upper housing 21, is inserted into the through hole 217 of the upper housing 21, and strikes the wall surface 217a of the through hole 217. In this way, the return stopper restricts rotation by utilizing the area inside the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21, which simplifies the appearance of the electronic wind instrument 1 and makes it easier to miniaturize the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0105] Furthermore, a cushion 271 made of an elastic material is attached to the wall surface 217a side of the resin portion of the actuator 27b. This allows the cushion 271 to suppress the impact noise and vibration that occur when the actuator 27b and the wall surface 217a come into contact.

[0106] The through-hole 217 directly below the first lid operator 20b is formed by removing a portion of the front of the cylindrical projection 216b and passing through to the upper housing 21 at the position where the portion was removed. Correspondingly, the actuator 27b protrudes from the front of the operating section 25b. Therefore, since the actuator 27b is hidden by the projection 216b and difficult to see, the appearance around the first lid operator 20b can be made to resemble the appearance of a flute where there is no component corresponding to the actuator 27b.

[0107] The disc-shaped operating section 25b, to which the actuator 27b is connected, is modeled after the keys integrated with the lid of a flute, and therefore, like those keys, its top and bottom surfaces are partially recessed. The recess 252 on the top surface is curved to conform to the player's fingers, making it easier to operate the operating section 25b. The recess 253 on the bottom surface is for covering the upper end of the protruding portion 216b with the operating section 25b in the pressed state shown in Figure 7(b), and also serves to lighten the operating section 25b.

[0108] To mold the operating section 25b having these recesses 252, 253 using a mold, it is necessary to split the mold in the thickness direction of the operating section 25b. Since the actuator 27b protrudes from the operating section 25b in this thickness direction, no undercut portion is formed due to the presence of the actuator 27b, and the operating section 25b and the actuator 27b can be integrally molded from resin using a mold.

[0109] The performer rotates the first lid operator 20b by pressing the operating part 25b in the direction of the plate thickness. In other words, since the operating part 25b is a plate shape formed to extend in all directions perpendicular to the direction in which it is pressed, it is easy for the performer's fingers to touch the operating part 25b when pressing, making it easy to operate the first lid operator 20b. Furthermore, since the actuator 27b protrudes from the operating part 25b in the direction of the plate thickness pressed by the performer, it is easy to transmit the force applied by the performer from the actuator 27b to the switch 241.

[0110] The switch 241 comprises a main body 242 fixed to the substrate 24, a movable part 243 that moves vertically (in the direction of the substrate 24's thickness) and extends and retracts from the main body 242, and an elastic body 244 that is compressed vertically between them. The main body 242 is formed in a box shape with its bottom closed and top open, and the upper edge 242a of the opening protrudes inward.

[0111] The upper end of the movable part 243 protrudes upward from the main body 242 through an opening on the inside of the edge 242a, and the tip (lower end) of the actuator 27b contacts the upper end of the movable part 243. A flange 243a protrudes from the movable part 243 inside the main body 242, facing the edge 242a in the vertical direction. The position where this flange 243a and the edge 242a contact is the upper limit position SU of the movable range SR of the movable part 243. On the other hand, the position where the movable part 243 contacts the bottom inside the main body 242 is the lower limit position SL of the movable range SR of the movable part 243. The elastic body 244 is, for example, a coil spring, and generates a repulsive force that causes the movable part 243 to move toward this upper limit position SU.

[0112] As shown in Figure 7(b), when the performer rotates the first lid operator 20b downward from the unpressed state shown in Figure 7(a), a downward force is transmitted from the actuator 27b to the movable part 243, and the movable part 243 is pushed in against the repulsive force of the elastic body 244. When this amount of push (movement) exceeds the threshold ST, the contacts (not shown) of the switch 241 connect, acquiring the pressed state (on state) of the first lid operator 20b, and when it is below the threshold, the contacts separate, acquiring the unpressed state (off state).

[0113] In the lower right of Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 is schematically illustrated when the amount of indentation reaches the threshold ST, and at the upper limit position SU and lower limit position SL of the movable range SR of the movable part 243, and at the return-side restricting position CU1 and push-side restricting position CL1 of the rotation range CR1 of the first lid operator 20b. The same applies to Figures 8(a) and 9(b).

[0114] The return-side restriction position CU1, shown in the lower right of Figures 7(a) and 7(b), is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the actuator (return-side stopper) 27b contacts the wall surface 217a. Similarly, the push-side restriction position CL1 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the operating part 25b contacts the upper end of the protruding part (push-side stopper) 216b. The return-side restriction position CU1 and the push-side restriction position CL1 are determined according to the position of the first lid operator 20b and the length (tip position) of the actuator 27b. In this embodiment, with the return-side restriction position CU1 set to 0 degrees, the rotation range CR1 of the first lid operator 20b up to the push-side restriction position CL1 is set to approximately 10 degrees. However, this rotation range CR1 may be less or greater than 10 degrees.

[0115] The threshold ST for the amount of indentation is set above the pressing restriction position CL1. This is to prevent the switch 241 from being unable to acquire the pressed state of the first lid operator 20b due to manufacturing errors in various parts, even though the first lid operator 20b has been rotated to the pressing restriction position CL1 shown in Figure 7(b).

[0116] In a flute, the pitch changes when a key (operator) integrated with the lid that opens and closes the tone hole is pressed, thereby closing the tone hole. To simulate the timing of this change in the electronic wind instrument 1, it is preferable to bring the threshold ST as close as possible to the pressing-side restriction position CL1. In this embodiment, the threshold ST for the amount of depression is located at a position approximately 9 degrees rotated from the return-side restriction position CU1 of the first lid operator 20b, and the pressing-side restriction position CL1 is located at a position approximately 10 degrees. However, the position of the threshold ST for the amount of depression is not limited to approximately 9 degrees, but is preferably between 7 and 9.5 degrees. This allows the pitch to be changed at approximately the same position as the pressing-side restriction position CL1. Therefore, the feel of operating the first lid operator 20b can be made closer to the feel of operating a flute.

[0117] Since the pressing restriction position CL1 is above the lower limit position SL, the force applied by the performer when pressing the first lid operator 20b is prevented from being directly transmitted from the movable part 243 to the main body 242 and the circuit board 24. This prevents deformation or damage to the switch 241 and the circuit board 24 caused by that force, thereby protecting the switch 241 and the circuit board 24.

[0118] When the performer releases the first lid operator 20b, the repulsive force of the elastic body 244 causes the first lid operator 20b to rotate upward, returning it to the unpressed state and the return-side restricting position CU1 shown in Figure 7(a). Since the return-side restricting position CU1 is below the upper limit position SU, the repulsive force of the elastic body 244 is always applied to the actuator 27b at the return-side restricting position CU1, pressing the actuator 27b against the wall surface 217a of the through hole 217. As a result, the first lid operator 20b and the movable part 243 are kept in basically constant contact, making it difficult to generate differences in pressure sensation (reaction force) caused by crossing some contact / non-contact points.

[0119] In a flute, there is no need to press a switch with a key or other control, so the difference in pressure caused by crossing between contact and non-contact does not occur in the first place. As described above, by making it difficult for differences in pressure to occur, the feel of operating the first lid control 20b can be made closer to the feel of operating a flute. Furthermore, by maintaining contact from the first lid control 20b to the movable part 243, looseness of the first lid control 20b can be suppressed.

[0120] Next, the second lid operator 20c will be described with reference to Figure 8(a). Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 at a position including the second lid operator 20c in the unpressed state. Since the second lid operator 20c and its surroundings are basically constructed in the same way as the first lid operator 20b and its surroundings, a general explanation of the similar parts will be given, and some of the explanation will be omitted.

[0121] The operating portion 25c of the second lid operator 20c shown in Figure 8(a) is formed in a disc shape with the same outer diameter as the operating portion 25b of the first lid operator 20b shown in Figure 7(a). An actuator 27c protrudes substantially vertically from the lower surface of this operating portion 25c, and a cushion 271 is provided on the wall surface 217a side of the actuator 27c. From the outer peripheral surface of the upper housing 21 below the second lid operator 20c, a protrusion 216c that constitutes a push-side stopper protrudes upward toward the operating portion 25c, similar to the protrusion 216b on the lower side of the first lid operator 20b.

[0122] The connecting portion 26c of the second lid operator 20c is an arm-shaped portion, similar to the connecting portion 26b of the first lid operator 20b, with its tip connected to the operating portion 25c and its base formed by a cylindrical tube portion 261c. By inserting the shaft 215 into the inner circumference of this tube portion 261c, the second lid operator 20c is rotatably attached to the upper housing 21.

[0123] Similar to the first lid operator 20b, the second lid operator 20c is rotated by the performer within a rotation range CR1, from the return-side restricting position CU1 where the actuator (return-side stopper) 27c contacts the wall surface 217a of the through-hole 217, to the push-side restricting position CL1 where the operating part 25c contacts the upper end of the protruding part (push-side stopper) 216c. The relationship between the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the return-side restricting position CU1 and the push-side restricting position CL1 of the second lid operator 20c, and the upper limit position SU, lower limit position SL, and threshold value ST of the movable range SR of the switch 241 is the same as the relationship described for the first lid operator 20b.

[0124] Next, I will explain the differences between the second cover operator 20c and the first cover operator 20b. As mentioned above, the second cover operator 20c has the center of its operating section 25c shifted circumferentially to the rearward side relative to the center of its operating section 25b of the first cover operator 20b, in order to mimic the key arrangement of an offset-key type flute.

[0125] The length L2 of the connecting portion 26c of the second lid operator 20c is formed to be approximately the same as the circumferential displacement between the center of the operating portion 25b and the center of the operating portion 25c, compared to the length L1 of the connecting portion 26b of the first lid operator 20b. Note that these lengths L1 and L2 are the circumferential dimensions (more specifically, the left-right direction) from the axis of the shaft 215 to the operating portions 25b and 25c in the unpressed state. By making the lengths L1 and L2 different in this way, even if the operating portions 25b and 25c are misaligned in the circumferential direction, the shaft 215 that rotatably supports the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c can be arranged in a straight line.

[0126] Here, the offset key type flute will be explained using the names of the parts of the corresponding electronic wind instrument 1. In the flute, another shaft 215b is provided at a position circumferentially offset by approximately the same amount as the circumferential offset between the center of the operating part 25b and the center of the operating part 25c, relative to the shaft 215 that rotatably supports the first lid operator 20b. The second lid operator 20c is rotatably supported on this shaft 215b. This makes the length L2 of the connecting part 26c the same as the length L1 of the connecting part 26b.

[0127] This is to standardize the movement of the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c, which are keys integrated with the lid, around their axes 215 and 215b, so that the tone holes can be reliably closed without gaps by the lid, thereby stabilizing the pitch in response to their opening and closing. However, there is a problem in that the structure of the flute becomes complicated by the multiple axes 215 and 215b provided for pitch stabilization. Incidentally, the conventional technology described in Figure 26 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-219856, for example, employs the same operating mechanism as a flute in an electronic wind instrument that imitates a flute, and thus suffers from the same problem.

[0128] In contrast, the electronic wind instrument 1 of this embodiment changes the pitch by pressing the switch 241 with the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c, so there is no need to completely and securely close the tone hole with the lid. Therefore, in the electronic wind instrument 1, there is no need to make the movement of the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c the same, and no problem arises even if the length L1 of the connecting part 26b and the length L2 of the connecting part 26c are different according to the misalignment of the operating parts 25b and 25c. Thus, the shafts 215 that rotatably support the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c can be arranged in a straight line, and the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1 can be simplified compared to conventional technology which has multiple shafts 215, 215b.

[0129] In the unpressed state (return-side restricting position CU1), the operating section 25b of the first lid operating section (short operating section) 20b, which has a short connecting section 26b, and the operating section 25c of the second lid operating section (long operating section) 20c, which has a long connecting section 26c, are inclined downward as they move away from the shaft 215. This allows the operating sections 25b and 25c to be positioned along the circumferential direction of the upper housing 21, bringing them closer to the key arrangement of a flute.

[0130] When the operating parts 25b and 25c are pressed, the force applied to the movable part 243 of the switch 241 decreases as the pressing position approaches the shaft 215, based on the principle of leverage. Therefore, since the length L1 of the connecting part 26b is shorter than the length L2 of the connecting part 26c, the force applied to the movable part 243 from the first lid operator 20b is smaller than the force applied to the movable part 243 from the second lid operator 20c.

[0131] Here, in the non-pressed state, the actuator 27b of the first lid operator 20b is tilted such that its tip moves away from the shaft 215 with respect to the direction of movement (up and down) of the movable part 243. On the other hand, the actuator 27c of the second lid operator 20c is tilted such that its tip moves closer to the shaft 215 with respect to the direction of movement of the movable part 243. Therefore, near the pressed state (pressed side restricting position CL1), the inclination angle between the direction of movement of the movable part 243 and the actuator 27b becomes small (approximately 0 degrees in this embodiment), and the inclination angle between the direction of movement of the movable part 243 and the actuator 27c becomes large. As a result, the proportion of the force applied to the movable part 243 from the first lid operator 20b that pushes the movable part 243 increases, and the proportion of the force applied to the movable part 243 from the second lid operator 20c that pushes the movable part 243 decreases.

[0132] Therefore, as described above, the force applied to the movable part 243 from the first lid operator 20b is smaller than the force applied to the movable part 243 from the second lid operator 20c, so the force pushing the movable part 243 becomes roughly the same for both the first lid operator 20b and the second lid operator 20c. This makes it possible to bring the reaction force received by the performer, corresponding to the pushing force and the repulsive force of the elastic body 244, closer to each other when pressing the first lid operator 20b and when pressing the second lid operator 20c, thereby suppressing the difference in the feel of their operation.

[0133] Furthermore, in the unpressed state, if the actuators 27b and 27c are extended parallel to the direction of movement of the movable part 243 from approximately the same position on each operating part 25b and 25c, the tip of actuator 27c will be further away from the shaft 215 in the circumferential direction than the tip of actuator 27b because the connecting part 26c is longer than the connecting part 26b. In contrast, in this embodiment, due to the inclination of actuators 27b and 27c as described above in the unpressed state, the tips of actuators 27b and 27c will be closer to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0134] Next, the configuration of the first lever operator 20d and its surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 8(b). Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 in a position including the first lever operator 20d in the unpressed state. Similar to the first lid operator 20b and its surroundings, some parts of the description of the first lever operator 20d and its surroundings will be omitted.

[0135] The connecting portion 26d of the first lever operator 20d is formed in an arm shape with a cylindrical portion 261d at its base end into which a shaft 215 is inserted, similar to the connecting portion 26b of the first lid operator 20b. The shaft 215 is inserted into the inner circumference of this cylindrical portion 261d, thereby rotatably mounting the first lever operator 20d to the upper housing 21. In addition, in the first lever operator 20d, an actuator 27d protrudes downward from the connecting portion 26d, and a cushion 271 is provided on the wall surface 217a side of the actuator 27d.

[0136] A rod-shaped operating section 25d extends from the tip of the connecting section 26d toward the left in the axial direction, and a recess 253 for weight reduction is formed on the lower surface of the operating section 25d. The length L3 of the connecting section 26d is formed to be longer than the lengths L1, L2, etc. of the connecting sections 26b, 26c, so that the operating section 25d is located circumferentially behind the operating section 25c of the second lid operator 20c.

[0137] A projection 216d, which acts as a push-side stopper to restrict the downward rotation of the first lever operator 20d, protrudes upward toward the connecting portion 26d from the outer peripheral surface of the upper housing 21 below the first lever operator 20d. A cushion 251 for cushioning is provided on the connecting portion 26d at the position where this projection 216d makes contact.

[0138] In the unpressed state, the actuator 27d of the first lever operator 20d, like the actuator 27c of the second cover operator 20c, is inclined so that its tip approaches the axis 215 with respect to the direction of movement of the movable part 243. Furthermore, while the actuator 27c of the second cover operator 20c protrudes from the operating part 25c, the actuator 27d of the first lever operator 20d protrudes from the connecting part 26d. This makes the arrangement of the actuators 27c and 27d with respect to the switch 241 substantially the same. As a result, the force with which the first lever operator 20d pushes the movable part 243 and the force with which the second cover operator 20c pushes the movable part 243 can be made similar, and the difference in the feel when pressing them can be suppressed.

[0139] Next, the configuration of the second lever controls 20e, 20g, 20i and their surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 9(a). Figure 9(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 in a position including the second lever control 20e in the unpressed state. Similar to the first lid control 20b and its surroundings, some parts of the description of the second lever control 20e and its surroundings will be omitted.

[0140] The operating parts 25e, 25g, and 25i of the second lever operators 20e, 20g, and 20i are all formed in a rod shape extending circumferentially from the upper housing 21. The circumferential length of operating part 25e is slightly smaller than the circumferential lengths of operating parts 25g and 25i. In all other respects, the second lever operators 20e, 20g, and 20i are substantially identical in configuration, so we will mainly describe the second lever operator 20e and its surroundings shown in Figure 9(a), and omit some of the other descriptions.

[0141] A recess 253 for weight reduction is formed on the lower surface of the operating section 25e. The actuator 27e protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the recess 253 of the operating section 25e. A cushion 271 is provided on the wall surface 217a side of the actuator 27e below the operating section 25e.

[0142] The connecting portion 26e of the second lever operator 20e is formed only by a cylindrical section into which the shaft 215 is inserted. By inserting the shaft 215 into the inner circumference of the connecting portion (cylindrical section) 26e, the second lever operator 20e is rotatably attached to the upper housing 21. In the connecting portion 26e, which is formed only by the cylindrical section, the length from the axis of the shaft 215 to the operating portion 25e is approximately zero.

[0143] A rod-shaped operating part 25e protrudes backward and upward from the outer circumferential surface of the connecting part 26e when not pressed. The performer basically operates the second lever operator 20e by pressing the tip of the operating part 25e, which is away from the connecting part 26e, with their finger. Therefore, the operating part 25e is positioned circumferentially forward relative to the operating part 25b, etc., such that the tip of the operating part 25e and the center of the disc-shaped operating part 25b, etc., on the first lid operator 20b are at the same circumferential position on the upper housing 21.

[0144] A push-side stopper 218 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 below the second lever operator 20e, which restricts the downward rotation of the second lever operator 20e. The push-side stopper 218 is formed by partially recessing the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21. A cushioning cushion 251 is provided on the operating part 25e at the position where the push-side stopper 218 makes contact.

[0145] In the non-pressed state, the actuator 27e of the second lever operator (short operator) 20e, similar to the actuator 27b of the first lid operator 20b, is tilted so that its tip is away from the axis 215 with respect to the direction of movement of the movable part 243. This makes it possible to bring the force with which the second lever operator 20e pushes the movable part 243 closer to the force with which the first lid operator 20b, etc., pushes the movable part 243, thereby suppressing the difference in feel when pressing them.

[0146] Furthermore, in the non-pressed state, the inclination angle between the direction of movement of the movable part 243 and the actuator 27e is greater than the inclination angle between the direction of movement of the movable part 243 and the actuator 27b. This makes it easier to bring the tips of actuators 27b and 27e closer to each other in the circumferential direction, even if the connecting part 26e is shorter than the connecting part 26b.

[0147] Next, the rotation range CR2 of the first lever operator 20d and the second lever operator 20e (hereinafter referred to as "first lever operator 20d, etc.") will be explained with reference to Figure 9(b). Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the rotation range CR2 of the first lever operator 20d, etc., the rotation range CR1 of the first cover operator 20b and the second cover operator 20c (hereinafter referred to as "first cover operator 20b, etc."), and the movable range SR of the movable part 243 of the switch 241. Figure 9(b) schematically illustrates the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the threshold ST, upper limit position SU, lower limit position SL, return-side restricting positions CU1, CU2, and push-side restricting positions CL1, CL2, respectively.

[0148] The return-side restriction position CU2 shown in Figure 9(b) is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the actuator (return-side stopper) 27d, 27e, etc., such as the first lever operator 20d, contacts the wall surface 217a of the through hole 217. The push-side restriction position CL2 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the connecting part 26d or operating part 25e, etc., such as the first lever operator 20d, contacts the protruding part (push-side stopper) 216d or push-side stopper 218.

[0149] The return-side restriction position CU2 is located below the return-side restriction position CU1 and the upper limit position SU, and above the threshold ST. The push-side restriction position CL2 is located below the threshold ST and the push-side restriction position CL1, and above the lower limit position SL. Thus, the relationship between the return-side restriction position CU2 and the push-side restriction position CL2 and the upper limit position SU, the lower limit position SL, and the push-in threshold ST on the switch 241 side is the same as the relationship between the return-side restriction position CU1 and the push-side restriction position CL1 and the switch 241 side described above.

[0150] Furthermore, since the rotation ranges CR1 and CR2 of all the control elements 20a to 20j are within the movable range SR of the movable part 243 of the switch 241, there is no need to change the vertical position of the switch 241 for each control element 20a to 20j. Therefore, all the switches 241 directly below the control elements 20a to 20j can be placed on the same circuit board 24.

[0151] The return-side restriction position CU2 is lower than the return-side restriction position CU1 and closer to the threshold ST. Therefore, when the first lid operator 20b and the first lever operator 20d are rotated by the same amount from the return-side restriction positions CU1 and CU2, the switch 241 of the first lever operator 20d switches to the pressed state first. Subsequently, the switch 241 of the first lid operator 20b switches to the pressed state.

[0152] In this case, when operating the lever on a flute, the lid that normally covers the tone hole is opened by a linked mechanism when the lever is pressed. When operating the lever on a flute, the pitch changes at the moment the tone hole opens, that is, when the lever is started to be pressed. On the other hand, when operating the key that is integrated with the lid that opens and closes the tone hole on a flute, the pitch changes when the key is fully pressed and the lid is closed.

[0153] The first lever operator 20d, etc., is modeled after the lever on a flute, and the first lid operator 20b, etc., is modeled after the keys on a flute. Therefore, by adjusting the timing at which the switch 241 switches to the pressed state so that it is close to the return-side restricting position CU2 with the first lever operator 20d, etc., and farther from the return-side restricting position CU1 with the first lid operator 20b, etc., the timing at which the pitch of the electronic wind instrument 1 changes can be made closer to that of a flute.

[0154] Furthermore, since the pressing-side restriction position CL2 is lower than the pressing-side restriction position CL1, even if the return-side restriction position CU2 is set lower than the return-side restriction position CU1, the rotation range CR2 and rotation range CR1 can be made to be approximately the same. The levers and keys of a flute open and close by rotating the lid, and the rotation range of each lid is made to be approximately the same. That is, the rotation ranges of the levers and keys are also made to be approximately the same. Therefore, by making the rotation range CR2 and rotation range CR1 to be approximately the same, the feel of operating the electronic wind instrument 1 can be made to be closer to the feel of operating a flute.

[0155] In this embodiment, the return-side restricting position CU2 is set to 0 degrees, and the rotation range CR2 to the press-side restricting position CL2 is set to approximately 10 degrees, similar to the rotation range CR1. However, this rotation range CR2 may be less than or greater than 10 degrees, and may differ from the rotation range CR1. Also, when the first lever operator 20d etc. rotates approximately 6 degrees from the return-side restricting position CU2, the corresponding switch 241 switches to the pressed state. This switching position (threshold ST) may be less than or greater than 6 degrees, and is preferably set to approximately 2 to 4 degrees. With this approximately 2 to 4 degrees, the pitch can be changed when the first lever operator 20d etc. is started to be pressed, and the timing of the pitch change of the electronic wind instrument 1 can be brought even closer to that of a flute.

[0156] Furthermore, the return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU2 relative to the movable range SR of the switch 241 can be easily adjusted by changing the lengths of actuators 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e, etc. The push-side restricting positions CL1 and CL2 can be easily adjusted by changing the height of the protrusions 216b, 216c, 216d, etc., or the depth of the recess of the push-side stopper 218. For example, by moving the position of the tip of actuators 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e, etc. in the front-rear direction in parallel when pressed, the rotation range CR1 and CR2 can be adjusted without changing the return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU2. Using these methods, for example, the push-side restricting positions CL1 and CL2 can be the same, while the return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU2 can be different.

[0157] According to the electronic wind instrument 1 described above, in the instrument body 2 corresponding to the body tube of the flute, the rotation of multiple control elements 20a to 20j is directly detected by individual switches 241 to detect whether they are pressed or not. In this case, the flute has multiple control elements such as keys and levers (parts corresponding to control elements 20a to 20j) that the player directly touches and rotates, and multiple interlocking covers that rotate in conjunction with the operation of the control elements without being directly touched by the player. In some cases, the interlocking control elements and interlocking covers are separated, so it is necessary to provide multiple shafts for transmitting the rotation operation of the control elements to the interlocking covers, bypassing the shafts that rotatably support the control elements (parts corresponding to shafts 215).

[0158] However, this presents a problem: the structure of the flute becomes complicated due to the numerous axes used to transmit rotational operation. Furthermore, the conventional technology described in Figure 26 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-219856, for example, employs the same operating mechanism as a flute in an electronic wind instrument that mimics a flute, thus sharing the same problem. In particular, the electronic wind instrument described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-219856 uses a sensor to detect whether the tone holes are reliably opened and closed by the interlocking lids, thereby changing the pitch. It is presumed that this is done to closely approximate the feel of operating a flute, which requires reliable opening and closing, by directly detecting the opening and closing of the interlocking lids.

[0159] In contrast, in the electronic wind instrument 1 of this embodiment, the rotation of the control elements 20a to 20j, which the performer directly touches and rotates within the range corresponding to the body tube, is directly detected by individual switches 241 without going through an interlocking mechanism. Therefore, the interlocking cover of a flute and the sensor that directly detects the opening and closing of the interlocking cover described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-219856 can be eliminated. Thus, in the electronic wind instrument 1, it is not necessary to provide a shaft for the interlocking cover in addition to the shaft 215 that rotatably supports the control elements 20a to 20j. As a result, while mimicking the operation of a flute in terms of the rotation operation of the control elements 20a to 20j, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1 caused by numerous shafts arranged circumferentially in addition to the shaft 215, and thus simplify the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0160] Furthermore, the operating parts 25a to 25j of each control element 20a to 20j are offset in the circumferential direction, and the lengths L1 to L3 of the connecting parts 26a to 26j are made different according to the amount of offset. As a result, the shaft 215 for rotatably supporting all the control elements 20a to 20j in the range corresponding to the body tube can be arranged in a straight line. In this respect as well, the operating mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 1 can be simplified.

[0161] Furthermore, each operator 20a to 20j is equipped with actuators 27a to 27j for pressing the switches 241. Therefore, even if there is a circumferential misalignment of the operating parts 25a to 25j, as described above, the position and length of the protruding actuators 27a to 27j, the direction and angle of the inclination of the actuators 27a to 27j with respect to the direction of movement of the movable part 243, etc., can be set according to the lengths L1 to L3, etc., to bring the position of the tips of the actuators 27a to 27j closer in the circumferential direction. This makes it easier to arrange the multiple switches 241 that the tips of the actuators 27a to 27j contact on a straight line parallel to the axis 215. As a result, the circuit board 24 on which the multiple switches 241 are arranged can be made smaller in the circumferential direction, and the electronic wind instrument 1 in which the circuit board 24 is built can be made smaller.

[0162] The multiple switches 241, pressed by each operator 20a to 20j, are arranged within the upper housing 21, closer to the circumferential axis 215. This allows the switches 241 to be pressed even with operators 20e, 20g, and 20i that have short connecting sections 26e, 26g, and 26i, without forcibly extending the actuators 27e, 27g, and 27i to the rear in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the circumferential position of the multiple switches 241 does not need to be changed according to the lengths L1 to L3 of the connecting sections 26a to 26j, making it easier to arrange the multiple switches 241 in a straight line. As a result, the electronic wind instrument 1 can be made even smaller. In this embodiment, all the switches 241 in the range corresponding to the body tube are actually lined up in a straight line parallel to the axis 215, making it easier to miniaturize the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0163] As shown in Figure 6, when attaching each of the operators 20a to 20j to the upper housing 21, first, the cylindrical parts 261a to 261d, 261f, 261h, 261j and connecting parts (cylindrical parts) 26e, 26g, 26i are arranged between the multiple support parts 212a to 212c. Then, the shaft 215 is passed through the through holes 213 of the inner circumference of these cylindrical parts 261a, etc., and the support parts 212a, 212b, and the threaded part 215a of the shaft 215 is screwed into the bolt hole 214 of the support part 212c, thereby easily attaching each of the operators 20a to 20j to the upper housing 21. In particular, since the shaft 215 arranged in a straight line is formed from a single continuous shaft, the attachment work is made even easier.

[0164] Furthermore, steps 212d are formed on both the left and right sides of the support portion 212b, with the upper side recessed in the axial direction. Steps 262 are formed on the end faces of the cylindrical portions 261b~261d, 261f, 261h and connecting portions (cylindrical portions) 26e, 26g, 26i, which are opposite the left and right sides of the support portion 212b, with the lower side recessed in the axial direction. Before passing the shaft 215 through, the cylindrical portions 261b, etc. can be roughly positioned relative to the support portions 212a~212c by overlapping the step 262 on top of the step 212d. As a result, the installation work of each operator 20a~20j to the upper housing 21 can be made even easier.

[0165] These steps 212d and 262 are formed in positions where they do not come into contact with each other within the rotation ranges CR1 and CR2 of each operator 20a to 20j after installation. This is to prevent the rotation ranges CR1 and CR2 from being narrowed by such contact. However, steps 212d and 262 may come into contact within the rotation ranges CR1 and CR2, and their contact may constitute at least one of the push-side stopper and the return-side stopper.

[0166] Next, with reference to Figures 10(a) to 11(b), the structure of the electronic wind instrument 1 at the positions where the second lever operator 20k, the first interlocking operator 20m, and the second interlocking operator 20n are attached will be described. Figure 10(a) is a partially enlarged top view of the electronic wind instrument 1 showing the positions in detail. Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line Xb-Xb in Figure 10(a). Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line XIa-XIa in Figure 10(a). Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 1 along the line XIb-XIb in Figure 10(a).

[0167] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the part of the instrument body 2 to which the controls 20k~20n are attached corresponds to the foot joint of a flute. A base plate 28 and a support plate 29 are positioned on the inner circumference of the upper housing 21 in this area. The support plate 29 is formed to slope downward toward the front, and through holes 292 are formed in multiple mounting parts 291 extending from the support plate 29 to both the front and rear sides. The support plate 29 is fixed to the upper housing 21 by screwing bolts B5, which are passed through these through holes 292, into bolt holes 211c of multiple bosses 211b that protrude downward from the inner circumference of the upper housing 21. Furthermore, the base plate 28 is placed on top of the support plate 29, and bolts B6, which are passed through through holes 281 in the base plate 28, are screwed into bolt holes 293 provided in the support plate 29, thereby fixing the base plate 28 to the upper housing 21 via the support plate 29.

[0168] From approximately the center in the front-to-back direction of the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21, support sections 212a, 212b, and 212c, identical to those corresponding to the body tube, rise upward. The support sections 212a, 212b, and 212c are aligned in this order from right to left, in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the upper housing 21. A single shaft 219 is attached to the outer circumferential side of the upper housing 21 so as to span across these support sections 212a to 212c.

[0169] Each of the operators 20k to 20n is rotatably supported around the shaft 219 and is located on the front side of the shaft 219. The second lever operator 20k is located on the far left, and the first interlocking operator 20m and the second interlocking operator 20n are arranged in a front-to-back direction to its right. Furthermore, the second interlocking operator 20n is located behind the first interlocking operator 20m. To the right of the first interlocking operator 20m and the second interlocking operator 20n is a first interlocking cover 41, which is not directly operated by the performer, and to its right is a second interlocking cover 42, which is also not directly operated by the performer.

[0170] The second lever operator 20k and its surroundings are constructed substantially the same as the second lever operator 20e and its surroundings shown in Figure 9(a), with only minor differences in shape. The second lever operator 20k, like the second lever operator 20e, comprises a plate-shaped operating section 25k, a connecting section 26k including a cylindrical section 261k, and an actuator (not shown). The shaft 219 passes through this cylindrical section 261k, so that the second lever operator 20k is rotatably supported by the upper housing 21. A switch 241 (not shown) is provided on the circuit board 28 directly below the second lever operator 20k. By operating the second lever operator 20k, this switch 241 directly detects the rotation of the second lever operator 20k.

[0171] The first interlocking control element 20m is a plate-shaped part that is rotatably supported around the shaft 219 via the first interlocking cover 41. This first interlocking control element 20m consists of an operating part that the performer directly touches and operates, and does not have connecting parts or actuators like the first cover control element 20b.

[0172] Therefore, no detection unit such as switch 241 is provided directly below the first interlocking control unit 20m. Similarly, no actuator is provided for the second interlocking control unit 20n, and no detection unit such as switch 241 is provided directly below it. This is because the second lever control unit 20k, the first interlocking control unit 20m, and the second interlocking control unit 20n, each operated by the little finger of the performer's right hand, are densely packed together, making it difficult to provide any switches other than the switch 241 for the second lever control unit 20k.

[0173] The first interlocking cover 41 is formed in the shape of a disc, mimicking the cover that opens and closes the tone holes in a flute. A cylindrical tube portion 411 extending tangentially is connected to the rear of the outer edge of this first interlocking cover 41. An axle 219 passes through the inner circumference of this tube portion 411, so that the first interlocking cover 41 is rotatably attached to the upper housing 21. The first interlocking operator 20m is connected to a connecting portion 412 that extends to the left from this first interlocking cover 41.

[0174] As a result, when the first interlocking control element 20m is rotated, the first interlocking cover 41 rotates in conjunction with it. A protrusion 216m, which acts as a push-side stopper to restrict the downward rotation of the first interlocking control element 20m and the first interlocking cover 41, protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 below the first interlocking control element 20m. A cushion 251 for cushioning is provided on the first interlocking control element 20m at the position where it makes contact with this protrusion 216m.

[0175] As shown in Figure 11(a), a plate-shaped actuator 413 protrudes almost vertically downward from the lower surface of the first interlocking cover 41. The tip of this actuator 413 is inserted into a through hole 217b provided in the upper housing 21. A switch 241a is provided on the circuit board 28 directly below the first interlocking cover 41.

[0176] Switch 241a is configured substantially the same as switch 241, except that it incorporates an elastic body 244a having a smaller repulsive force than the elastic body 244 of switch 241 shown in Figure 7(a), etc. In this embodiment, the repulsive force (spring constant) of elastic body 244a is set to approximately half the repulsive force (spring constant) of elastic body 244.

[0177] Switch 241a is positioned such that the direction of movement of its movable part 243 is in the direction of the thickness of the circuit board 28. It is also preferable that the shape of the main body 242 and the movable part 243 differ between switch 241 and switch 241a. These differences help to prevent the switch 241 from being mistakenly attached to the circuit boards 24 and 28 when assembling the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0178] The tip of the actuator 413, which has passed through the through hole 217b, contacts the upper end of the movable part 243 of the switch 241a. When the first interlocking operator 20m is rotated, the first interlocking cover 41, which is connected by the connecting part 412, rotates in conjunction, and the tip of the actuator 413 pushes the movable part 243, allowing the switch 241a to detect the open or closed state of the first interlocking cover 41. The closed state, when the first interlocking cover 41 is close to the upper housing 21, indicates that the first interlocking operator 20m is pressed. On the other hand, the open state, when the first interlocking cover 41 is away from the upper housing 21, indicates that the first interlocking operator 20m is not pressed. In other words, the switch 241a detects the rotation operation of the first interlocking operator 20m via the open or closed state of the first interlocking cover 41.

[0179] In the lower right of Figure 11(a), the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 of switch 241a at the return-side restriction position CU1, the push-side restriction position CL1, the upper limit position SU, the lower limit position SL, and the threshold ST of the amount of push are schematically illustrated. The return-side restriction position CU1 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the upward rotation of the first interlocking operator 20m is restricted by the return-side stopper (connecting shaft 423, etc., described later). The push-side restriction position CL1 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the downward rotation of the first interlocking operator 20m is restricted by the push-side stopper (protruding part 216m). These relationships are the same as those explained with respect to the first lid operator 20b with reference to Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

[0180] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the second interlocking control element 20n comprises an operating part 25n that the performer directly touches and operates, and a connecting part 26n that connects the operating part 25n to the shaft 219. The operating part 25n is a rod-shaped portion extending in the left-right direction. The connecting part 26n is an arm-shaped portion extending in the circumferential direction of the upper housing 21, with its tip connected to the operating part 25n and its base formed by a cylindrical tube portion 261n. The shaft 219 is inserted into the inner circumference of the tube portion 261n, thereby rotatably mounting the second interlocking control element 20n to the upper housing 21.

[0181] The second interlocking cover 42, like the first interlocking cover 41, is formed in a disc shape that mimics the cover that opens and closes the tone holes in a flute. A cylindrical tube portion 422 extending tangentially is connected to the rear side of the outer edge of this second interlocking cover 42. By passing an axle 219 through the inner circumference of this tube portion 422, the second interlocking cover 42 is rotatably attached to the upper housing 21.

[0182] The cylindrical portion 422 of the second interlocking cover 42 and the cylindrical portion 261n of the second interlocking operator 20n are connected by a connecting shaft 423 provided on their rear sides, bypassing the shaft 219. As a result, when the second interlocking operator 20n is rotated, the second interlocking cover 42 rotates in conjunction with it. In addition, a plate portion 414 protrudes from the first interlocking operator 20m so as to slide under the operating portion 25n of the second interlocking operator 20n. The upper surface of the plate portion 414 contacts the cushion 254 attached to the lower surface of the operating portion 25n. As a result, when the second interlocking operator 20n is rotated downward, the plate portion 414 is pushed downward, causing the first interlocking operator 20m and the first interlocking cover 41 to rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0183] On the other hand, when the first interlocking operator 20m is rotated, the plate portion 414 separates from the operating portion 25n, so the second interlocking operator 20n and the second interlocking cover 42 do not rotate in conjunction. Furthermore, the cushion 254 can suppress the impact noise and vibration that occur when the plate portion 414 separates from the operating portion 25n and then re-contacts it.

[0184] Furthermore, when attempting to rotate the second interlocking operator 20n upward, the connecting shaft 423 hits the upper housing 21, restricting its rotation. Thus, the connecting shaft 423 also serves as a return stopper that restricts the upward rotation of the second interlocking operator 20n. In addition, a cushion 424 is attached to the connecting shaft 423 at the position where it hits the upper housing 21, so that the impact noise and vibration caused by the collision can be suppressed by the cushion 424.

[0185] When the first interlocking operator 20m, which is attempting to rotate upward, comes into contact with the second interlocking operator 20n, whose rotation is restricted by the connecting shaft 423, via the plate portion 414, its rotation is restricted. Therefore, the plate portion 414, the second interlocking operator 20n, and the connecting shaft 423 also serve as return-side stoppers that restrict the upward rotation of the first interlocking operator 20m.

[0186] As shown in Figure 11(b), a protrusion 216n, which acts as a push-side stopper to restrict the downward rotation of the second interlocking cover 42 and the second interlocking operator 20n, protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the upper housing 21 below the second interlocking cover 42. A cushion 425 for cushioning is provided on the second interlocking cover 42 at the position where this protrusion 216n makes contact.

[0187] A plate-shaped actuator 426 protrudes almost vertically downward from the lower surface of the second interlocking cover 42. The tip of this actuator 426 is inserted into a through hole 217c provided in the upper housing 21. A switch 241b is provided on the circuit board 28 directly below the second interlocking cover 42.

[0188] Switch 241b is configured substantially the same as switch 241, except that it incorporates an elastic body 244b with a smaller repulsive force than the elastic body 244 of switch 241 shown in Figure 7(a), etc. In this embodiment, the repulsive force (spring constant) of elastic body 244b is set to approximately half the repulsive force (spring constant) of elastic body 244. That is, switch 241b in this embodiment is configured identically to switch 241a located directly below the first interlocking cover 41.

[0189] The tip of the actuator 426, which has passed through the through hole 217c, contacts the upper end of the movable part 243 of the switch 241b. When the second interlocking operator 20n is rotated, the second interlocking cover 42 rotates in conjunction, and the tip of the actuator 426 pushes the movable part 243, allowing the switch 241b to detect the open or closed state of the second interlocking cover 42. The closed state, when the second interlocking cover 42 is close to the upper housing 21, indicates that the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed. On the other hand, the open state, when the second interlocking cover 42 is away from the upper housing 21, indicates that the second interlocking operator 20n is not pressed. In other words, the switch 241b detects the rotation operation of the second interlocking operator 20n via the open or closed state of the second interlocking cover 42.

[0190] Furthermore, when the second interlocking operator (third operator) 20n is pressed, the first interlocking operator (second operator) 20m is pressed in conjunction, and both the first interlocking cover 41 and the second interlocking cover 42 are switched from the open state to the closed state. At this time, the elastic body 244a of the switch (second detection unit) 241a and the elastic body 244b of the switch (third detection unit) 241b are compressed simultaneously. As a result, the performer receives both a second reaction force corresponding to the repulsive force of the elastic body 244a and a third reaction force corresponding to the repulsive force of the elastic body 244b from the second interlocking operator 20n. However, since the repulsive force of the elastic bodies 244a and 244b is approximately half that of the elastic body 244 of the switch (first detection unit) 241, the reaction force received by the performer when pressing the second interlocking control element 20n and when pressing the first lid control element (first control element) 20b, etc., can be made closer to each other, thereby suppressing the difference in the feel of operation between them.

[0191] Furthermore, these reaction forces vary not only due to the repulsive force of the elastic bodies 244, 244a, and 244b, but also according to the positional relationship between the fulcrum (shafts 215, 219), the point of force application (operating parts 25b, 25n), and the point of application (the tips of actuators 27b, 413, 426), based on the principle of levers. In this embodiment, since the positional relationship between the fulcrum, the point of force application, and the point of application is substantially the same for the first lid operator 20b and the second interlocking operator 20n, the difference in reaction forces can be caused solely by the repulsive force of the elastic bodies 244, 244a, and 244b.

[0192] Not limited to this embodiment, it is preferable to adjust the positional relationship between these fulcrums, effort points, and points of application, and the repulsive forces of the elastic bodies 244, 244a, and 244b as appropriate, so that the second and third reaction forces corresponding to the repulsive forces of the elastic bodies 244a and 244b are smaller than the first reaction force corresponding to the repulsive force of the elastic body 244. Even in this case, the sum of the second and third reaction forces when pressing the second interlocking operator 20n can be brought to some extent close to the first reaction force when pressing the first lid operator 20b, etc.

[0193] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the sum of the second and third reaction forces is 1.3 times or less the first reaction force. This makes it possible to bring the sum of the second and third reaction forces when pressing the second interlocking operator 20n closer to the first reaction force when pressing the first lid operator 20b, etc. It is even more preferable that the sum of the second and third reaction forces is 0.7 times or more the first reaction force. This prevents the sum of the second and third reaction forces when pressing the second interlocking operator 20n from becoming too light compared to the first reaction force when pressing the first lid operator 20b, etc., and makes it possible to bring these reaction forces closer to being of similar magnitude.

[0194] Furthermore, it is not limited to the case where the second reaction force and the third reaction force are the same; the second reaction force on the elastic body 244a side may be made larger than the third reaction force on the elastic body 244b side, for example, by making the repulsive force of the elastic body 244a approximately twice the repulsive force of the elastic body 244b. In this case, the sum of the second and third reaction forces when pressing the second interlocking operator 20n can be made closer to the second reaction force when pressing only the first interlocking operator 20m, thereby suppressing the difference in operating feel.

[0195] In the lower right of Figure 11(b), the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 of switch 241b at the return-side restriction position CU3, the push-side restriction position CL3, and the threshold ST of the amount of depression are schematically illustrated. The return-side restriction position CU3 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the upward rotation of the second interlocking operator 20n is restricted by the return-side stopper (connecting shaft 423), and is located above the threshold ST. The push-side restriction position CL3 is the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the position where the downward rotation of the second interlocking operator 20n is restricted by the push-side stopper (protrusion 216n), and is located below the threshold ST. Although not shown, the return-side restriction position CU3 and the push-side restriction position CL3 are within the movable range SR from the upper limit position SU to the lower limit position SL.

[0196] Furthermore, the lower right of Figure 11(b) schematically shows the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 of switch 241a at the return-side restriction position CU1 and the push-side restriction position CL1 of the first interlocking operator 20m. Note that the height of the upper end of the movable part 243 at the threshold ST of the amount of push is the same for switch 241a and switch 241b.

[0197] At return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU3, the first interlocking cover 41 and the second interlocking cover 42 are open upward by the same amount. However, because the length L6 of actuator 426 is slightly longer (for example, 0.1 mm) than the length L5 of actuator 413, the return-side restricting position CU3 is lower than the return-side restricting position CU1. Note that these differences are exaggerated in Figure 11(b).

[0198] Here, we consider the case where, for example, lengths L5 and L6 are the same, and the return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU3 are the same. In this case, when the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed to interlock the first interlocking cover 41 and the second interlocking cover 42, if their lengths L5, L6, etc. are as designed, switches 241a and 241b will simultaneously detect a closed state (pressed state).

[0199] However, due to dimensional errors in each part and individual differences in switches 241a and 241b, when the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed, there is a risk that switch 241a will first detect the closed state of the first interlocking cover 41, and immediately afterward, switch 241b will detect the closed state of the second interlocking cover 42. In this case, immediately after the first interlocking operator 20m emits the sound corresponding to the pressed state, the second interlocking operator 20n will emit the sound corresponding to the pressed state.

[0200] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the return-side restricting position CU3 is lower than the return-side restricting position CU1, even if the amount of depression of switch 241b is the same as the threshold ST, the amount of depression TL of switch 241a at that time is located above the threshold ST. Therefore, when the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed, switch 241b first detects the closed state of the second interlocking cover 42, and after further pressing, switch 241a detects the closed state of the first interlocking cover 41. In other words, within the rotation range CR3 of the second interlocking operator 20n, there is a range (between the amount of depression TL and the threshold ST) in which switch 241b detects the closed state while switch 241a detects the open state. As a result, even if there are dimensional errors in each part or individual differences in switches 241a and 241b, it is possible to suppress the sound of the second interlocking operator 20n being pressed immediately after the sound of the first interlocking operator 20m being pressed is emitted.

[0201] Furthermore, the electronic wind instrument 1 is controlled to produce the pitch corresponding to the pressed state of the second interlocking control 20n, even if switch 241a is not in the closed state, as long as switch 241b is in the closed state. This allows the instrument to produce the pitch corresponding to the pressed state of the second interlocking control 20n without waiting for both switches 241a and 241b to be detected as closed, thereby improving the responsiveness to the operation of the second interlocking control 20n.

[0202] Furthermore, the push-side restricting position CL3 is lower than the push-side restricting position CL1 by the same amount as the difference between the return-side restricting positions CU1 and CU3. This makes it possible to make the rotation range CR1 of the first interlocking cover 41 and the rotation range CR3 of the second interlocking cover 42 the same. When the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed, the first interlocking cover 41 and the second interlocking cover 42 rotate in conjunction, so the rotation range of the second interlocking operator 20n becomes the narrower of the rotation ranges CR1 and CR3. On the other hand, when the first interlocking operator 20m is pressed, only the first interlocking cover 41 rotates, so the rotation range of the first interlocking operator 20m becomes the rotation range CR1. Therefore, if the rotation ranges CR1 and CR3 are the same, the rotation range of the second interlocking operator 20n becomes the rotation range CR1 (=CR3), which is the same as the rotation range of the first interlocking operator 20m. Therefore, the difference in operating feel caused by the different rotation ranges when pressing the first interlocking control 20m and the second interlocking control 20n can be suppressed.

[0203] In the electronic wind instrument 1, the axes that rotatably support each of the control elements 20a to 20j and 20k to 20n are limited to axes 215 and 219. Here, since the axis that rotatably supports the first interlocking control element 20m and the second interlocking control element 20n is axis 219, neither the connecting part 412 nor the connecting axis 423 is included in the axes that rotatably support the control elements. Axes 215 and 219 do not overlap in either the circumferential or axial direction of the electronic wind instrument 1. In other words, since axes 215 and 219 do not overlap in the circumferential direction of the electronic wind instrument 1, there is one or fewer axes that rotatably support multiple control elements in the circumferential direction at any position outside the housing of the electronic wind instrument 1.

[0204] Next, with reference to Figure 12, 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.

[0205] As shown in Figure 12, 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.

[0206] 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.

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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.

[0209] Next, with reference to Figure 13, the electronic wind instrument 301 of the third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which the operators 20a to 20j are rotatably attached to the upper housing 21 by a single shaft 215 arranged in a straight line. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the operators 20a to 20j are rotatably attached to the upper housing 21 by a plurality of shafts 303 arranged in a straight line. 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.

[0210] Figure 13(a) is a partially enlarged top view of the electronic wind instrument 301 according to the third embodiment. Figure 13(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 301 along the line XIIIb-XIIIb in Figure 13(a). The support portion 302 of the electronic wind instrument 301 is a pair of plate materials arranged to sandwich the connecting portions 26a-26j from both the left and right sides for each of the operating elements 20a-20j, and rises upward from the front side of the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21.

[0211] First, the mounting structure of the second lid operator 20c to the support portion 302 will be described. From a pair of support portions 302, shafts 303 protrude toward each other, and the tips of these shafts 303 face each other, separated in the left-right direction. At the base end of the connecting portion 26c of the operator 20c, fitting holes 304 with an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft 303 are formed so as to open on both the left and right sides. By elastically deforming a pair of support portions 302 toward each other and inserting the base end of the connecting portion 26c between the support portions 302, the shafts 303 fit into the fitting holes 304, and the second lid operator 20c is rotatably mounted to the upper housing 21.

[0212] A guide surface 303a is formed on the upper side of the tip of the shaft 303, which is inclined so that the distance between the tips widens as it extends upward. This makes it easier to elastically deform a pair of support parts 302 so that they move away from each other when attaching the second lid operator 20c to the upper housing 21 by pressing the base end of the connecting part 26c against the guide surface 303a and pushing it downward, thereby simplifying the attachment process.

[0213] The mounting structure for each of the operators 20a, 20b, 20d-20j to the support section 302 is the same as the mounting structure for the second lid operator 20c to the support section 302. The shaft 303 that rotatably supports each of the operators 20a-20j is divided into multiple shafts in the axial direction and arranged on a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the upper housing 21. Therefore, in the electronic wind instrument 301 of the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the operation of the operators 20a-20j is mimicked by the operation of a flute, and the operation mechanism of the electronic wind instrument 301 can be simplified by eliminating the need for multiple shafts arranged in the circumferential direction other than the shaft 303.

[0214] Next, the electronic wind instrument 401 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 14(a). In the first embodiment, the case in which the rotation operation of the first lid operator 20b is transmitted to the switch 241 by the actuator 27b was described. In the fourth embodiment, the case in which the actuator 27b is not present on the first lid operator 20b 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.

[0215] Figure 14(a) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 401 at a position including the first lid operator 20b in the unpressed state. In Figure 14(a), the cross-section is shown as cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the electronic wind instrument 401, and some of the components further inside the cross-section are omitted from the illustration. The first lid operator 20b and the switch 402 directly below it will be described, but the other operators 20a, 20c to 20k and the switches 402 directly below them may be configured similarly.

[0216] The switch 402 of the electronic wind instrument 401 has the same basic structure as the switch 241 described in the first embodiment. Specifically, in the switch 402, a movable part 404 extends and retracts from the upper surface of the main body 403 fixed to the circuit board 24, and an elastic body 244 is compressed between the main body 403 and the movable part 404. The main body 403 has an edge portion 242a, and the movable part 404 has a flange 243a.

[0217] Unlike the movable part 243 of the switch 241 in the first embodiment, which is housed inside the upper housing 21, the movable part 404 of the switch 402 protrudes to the outside of the upper housing 21 through a through hole 405 provided in the upper housing 21. The operating part 25b of the first lid operator 20b is placed on the upper end of the movable part 404, which is located above the protruding part 216b of the upper housing 21, via a cushion 251. As a result, when the performer rotates the first lid operator 20b downward, the movable part 404, which is movable in the vertical direction, is pushed by the operating part 25b, and the movable part 404 is pushed in against the repulsive force of the elastic body 244.

[0218] When the performer releases the first lid operator 20b, the repulsive force of the elastic body 244 causes the first lid operator 20b to rotate upward, and this upward rotation is restricted by the return stopper 406 provided on the first lid operator 20b. The return stopper 406 is provided in place of the actuator 27b in the first embodiment.

[0219] The return stopper 406 is a plate-shaped part that protrudes almost vertically from the lower surface of the operating section 25b. The tip (lower end) of the return stopper 406 is inserted into a non-penetrating recess 407 formed by recessing the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21 toward the interior of the upper housing 21. The return stopper 406 contacts the rear wall surface 217a of this recess 407 via the cushion 271, thereby restricting the upward rotation of the first lid operator 20b. In this way, since the return stopper 406 restricts rotation using the area inside the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21, the appearance of the electronic wind instrument 401 can be simplified and it is easier to miniaturize the electronic wind instrument 401.

[0220] In the return-side restricting position CU1 (non-pressed state) where the return-side stopper 406 contacts the wall surface 217a, the repulsive force of the elastic body 244 is always applied to the first lid operator 20b, just as in the first embodiment, and the return-side stopper 406 is pressed against the wall surface 217a. Therefore, the first lid operator 20b and the movable part 404 can be kept in basically constant contact, making it difficult to cause differences in pressure sensation due to crossing some contact / non-contact points.

[0221] Next, the electronic wind instrument 501 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 14(b). In the first embodiment, the case in which the actuator 27b also serves as the return stopper was described. In the fifth embodiment, the case in which the actuator 27b and the return stopper 504 are provided separately will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0222] Figure 14(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic wind instrument 501 at a position including the first lid operator 20b in the unpressed state. In Figure 14(b), the cross-section is shown as cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the electronic wind instrument 501, and some of the components further inside the cross-section are omitted from the illustration. The actuator 27b and return stopper 504 of the first lid operator 20b will be described, but the actuators 27a, 27c to 27j and return stoppers 504 of the other operators 20a, 20c to 20j may be configured similarly.

[0223] The first lid operator 20b of the electronic wind instrument 501 is equipped with an actuator 27b and a return-side stopper 504. The actuator 27b protrudes downward from the operating section 25b and contacts the movable part 243 of the switch 241 through a through hole 502 provided in the upper housing 21. The through hole 502 is made large so that the actuator 27b does not come into contact with its wall surface in the return-side restricting position CU1 (non-pressed state). In other words, in the electronic wind instrument 501, the actuator 27b does not also serve as the return-side stopper.

[0224] The return stopper 504 is formed to extend from the cylindrical portion 261b of the first lid operator 20b toward the opposite side from the operating portion 25b. When this return stopper 504 strikes the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 21, the upward rotation of the first lid operator 20b is restricted. A cushion 505 made of an elastic material is attached to the portion of the return stopper 504 that strikes the upper housing 21. This allows the cushion 505 to suppress the impact noise and vibration that occur when the return stopper 504 and the upper housing 21 strike each other.

[0225] In the return-side restricting position CU1 where the return-side stopper 504 contacts the upper housing 21, the repulsive force of the elastic body 244 is constantly applied to the first lid operator 20b, just as in the first embodiment, and the return-side stopper 504 is pressed against the upper housing 21. Therefore, the first lid operator 20b and the movable part 243 can be kept in contact at all times, making it difficult to cause differences in pressure sensation due to crossing between contact and non-contact points.

[0226] 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.

[0227] In the embodiments described above, the electronic wind instrument 1,201 was described as an electronic instrument that imitates a flute, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the electronic wind instrument 1,201 may imitate other wind instruments (such as a saxophone, clarinet, recorder, flute, piccolo, etc.).

[0228] In the embodiments described above, a configuration was described in which each of the bent channels 314a and 315a is heated by a heater 341, that is, a configuration in which a substrate 34 is provided on the bottom surface 322a of the mounting hole 322 of the lip plate 31, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the substrate 34 (heater 341) may be provided on 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 not be provided on the bottom surface 322a or the inner circumferential surface of the blowing-side housing 32. In addition, a substrate (heater) may be provided to heat the case-side channel 355.

[0229] 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 323, 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, 323, 326, and 355 may be modified, or a part of each of the flow paths 314a, 315a, 323, 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.

[0230] 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 323, 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.

[0231] In the embodiments described above, the cases in which the lip plate 31 has first bent channels 314a, 314b and second bent channels 315a, 315b are formed, have been explained, but the invention is not limited to these cases. For example, one of 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 channel 323 may be connected via the other bent channel. Alternatively, neither the first bent channels 314a, 314b nor the second bent channels 315a, 315b may be provided, and the inlets 310, 311 and the housing-side channel 323 may be connected in a straight line.

[0232] 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 323 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, it is not necessary to provide either one or both of the diaphragm channels 316a and 326, or a diaphragm channel may be formed in the case-side channel 355 (i.e., in the case 35).

[0233] 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, a configuration in which no leak channel 322b is provided (the gap between the substrate 34 and the blowing side housing 32 is sealed) is also possible, or a channel equivalent to the leak channel 322b may be formed in another part of the main channel.

[0234] 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 an exhaust port for ventilating the internal space S1 of each housing 32, 33 may be formed in the inlet-side housing 32 without providing the second exhaust port 335 (or in addition to the second exhaust port).

[0235] 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.

[0236] 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 not be provided.

[0237] 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.

[0238] 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.

[0239] In the embodiments described above, bolts are used to fix the components of the electronic wind instrument 1 together, but other screw parts or fastening parts may also be used.

[0240] In the first embodiment described above, a case was explained 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 not be provided, 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.

[0241] In the first embodiment described above, a case in which a tapered surface 356c is formed in the branch channel 356 was explained, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the tapered surface 356c may not be provided, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch 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.

[0242] 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).

[0243] In the embodiments described above, the detection unit for detecting the operating state (rotational operation) of the operators 20a to 20n is described as switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, the detection unit may be a contact-type sensor such as a pressure sensor, a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor, or a rotary encoder. Furthermore, the specific structure of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 is not limited to those described above, but may be a known structure.

[0244] Furthermore, while the explanation described the case where the threshold STs of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 are all the same, this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the threshold STs of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 can be made different for each of the multiple switches 241, or the threshold STs of switch 241a and switch 241b can be made different, thereby appropriately changing the timing at which the on / off states of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 switch.

[0245] Specifically, the threshold value ST of the switch 241 directly below the first lid operator 20b may be moved away from the return-side restriction position CU1, while the threshold value ST of the switch 241 directly below the first lever operator 20d may be moved closer to the return-side restriction position CU2. This allows the pitch to be changed when the first lid operator 20b is fully pressed, or when the first lever operator 20d is pressed, bringing the timing of the pitch change of the electronic wind instrument 1 closer to that of a flute.

[0246] Alternatively, the threshold value ST of switch 241a may be moved away from the return-side restriction position CU1, and the threshold value ST of switch 241b may be moved closer to the return-side restriction position CU3. This allows that even if the lengths L5 and L6 of actuators 413 and 426 are the same and the return-side restriction positions CU1 and CU3 are the same, when the second interlocking operator 20n is pressed, switch 241b is switched to the ON state first, and then switch 241a is switched to the ON state later.

[0247] Furthermore, instead of varying the lengths of actuators 27a~27j, 413, and 426, the timing of the on / off switching of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 can be appropriately changed by attaching spacers to the upper ends of the movable parts 243 and 404. Alternatively, the timing of the on / off switching of switches 241, 241a, 241b, and 402 can be appropriately changed by varying the height of a specific switch 241 or 402 from that of other switches 241 or 402, or by varying the height of switch 241a from that of switch 241b.

[0248] In the embodiments described above, the actuators 27a~27c, 27e~27j protrude from the operating sections 25a~25c, 25e~25j, and the actuator 27d protrudes from the connecting section 26d. However, the embodiments are not necessarily limited to these cases. The actuators 27a~27c, 27f, 27h, 27j may protrude from arm-shaped connecting sections 26a~26c, 26f, 26h, 26j, or the actuator 27d may protrude from the operating section 25d. Furthermore, the shape of the actuators 27a~27j is not limited to those that protrude straight toward the tip from the operating section 25a, etc., but may also be curved toward the tip.

[0249] In the first embodiment described above, the case in which the operators 20a to 20j are attached to the upper housing 21 by a single axis 215 arranged in a straight line was explained, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the axis 215 arranged in a straight line may be divided into multiple parts along its axis. Specifically, the operators 20a to 20d may be attached to the upper housing 21 by one axis 215, and the operators 20e to 20j may be attached to the upper housing 21 by another axis 215. [Explanation of symbols]

[0250] 1,301,401,501 Electronic Wind Instruments 20a, 20b, 20f, 20h, 20j 1st lid operator (operator, short operator, lid operator) 20c 2nd lid operator (operator, long operator, lid operator) 20d First lever operator (operator) 20e, 20g, 20i, 20k Second lever control (control, short control) 21 Upper enclosure (enclosure) 22 Lower enclosure (enclosure) 25a~25j Operation section 26a~26d,26f,26h,26j connection part 26e, 26g, 26i Connection part (cylindrical part) 27a~27j Actuators 215,303 axes 241,402 Switch (detection unit) 243,404 Moving parts 244 Elastic body 261a~261d,261f,261h,261j Cylindrical part

Claims

1. An electronic wind instrument comprising: a cylindrical housing; an axis mounted on the outside of the housing and positioned in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the housing; a plurality of controls each supported so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about the axis on the straight line and rotated by a performer; and a plurality of detection units each individually directly detecting the rotation of the plurality of controls.

2. The control element comprises an operating part that the performer touches for rotational operation, and a connecting part that connects the operating part to the shaft. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of operators have their operating parts offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the housing, and the length of the connecting portion from the shaft to the operating part is made different according to the amount of circumferential offset between the operating parts.

3. The operator comprises an actuator that protrudes from the operating part or the connecting part and is inserted into a through hole in the housing. The detection unit is a switch disposed inside the housing, comprising a movable part that can move in a specific direction of movement and an elastic body that generates a repulsive force that moves the movable part to one side in the direction of movement, and the rotation of the operator is directly detected by the tip of the actuator, which has contact with the movable part, pushing the movable part to the other side in the direction of movement against the repulsive force of the elastic body.

4. Among the multiple operators, there are short operators having relatively short connecting portions and the actuator protruding from the operating portion, and long operators having long connecting portions and the actuator protruding from the operating portion. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that, in a non-pressed state in which the movable part moves to one side in the direction of movement due to the repulsive force of the elastic body, the actuator of the short operator is inclined such that its tip side moves away from the axis with respect to the direction of movement, and the actuator of the long operator is inclined such that its tip side moves closer to the axis with respect to the direction of movement.

5. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the multiple operators has a cover operator from which the operating part is formed in the shape of a disc and the actuator protrudes vertically from the operating part.

6. The detection unit is a switch that directly detects the rotation of the operator when the movable part is directly pressed by the operator, and is characterized in that it is positioned inside the housing and closer to the shaft side, as described in claim 2.

7. The electronic wind instrument according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the plurality of switches are arranged parallel to the shaft.

8. Only one of the aforementioned shafts is provided on the aforementioned straight line. The electronic wind instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the operator comprises a cylindrical portion through which the shaft passes.

9. An operation detection method for an electronic wind instrument, comprising: a cylindrical housing; an axis mounted on the outside of the housing and arranged in a straight line parallel to the axial direction of the housing; a plurality of controls each supported so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about the axis on the straight line and rotated by a performer; and a plurality of detection units for detecting the rotation of each of the plurality of controls, wherein An operation detection method characterized in that each of the multiple detection units individually and directly detects the rotation of each of the multiple operators.

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