Keyboard mechanism and hammer support method

Abstract

To provide a keyboard device and hammer support method that can provide a good key-pressing feel while reducing product costs. [Solution] The support surface 43a that slidably supports the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and when the key 2 is pressed, the rotation axis 60 moves up and down on the support surface 43a, so that the load acting from the hammer 6 on the key 2 (the load felt by the player as a reaction force) can be gradually reduced from the initial position to the final position. As a result, the feel of pressing the key can be gradually lightened from the initial position to the final position without using elastic bodies or magnets as in conventional technology. Therefore, the number of parts in the keyboard device 1 can be reduced and product costs can be lowered, while providing the player with a good playing feel.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device and a method for supporting a hammer, and more particularly to a keyboard device and a method for supporting a hammer that can provide a good key-pressing feeling while reducing product costs.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for applying a reaction force load Fa that a performer feels as a reaction force and an auxiliary load Fc that assists the key-pressing operation by applying the elastic force of an elastic body 8 to a hammer 6. According to this technique, for example, by gradually reducing the reaction force load Fa from the initial position of key pressing, the feeling felt during key pressing can be made lighter compared to the vicinity of the initial position of key pressing. Therefore, a better key-pressing feeling can be provided to the performer compared to the case where the key-pressing feeling is provided only by the mass of the hammer 6.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, since an elastic body 8, which is a separate part from the hammer 6, is used, the number of parts increases. Therefore, there is a problem that the product cost of the keyboard device increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a keyboard device and a method for supporting a hammer that can provide a good key-pressing feeling while reducing product costs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] <To achieve this objective, the keyboard device of the present invention comprises a key whose rear end is pivotably supported, a hammer which is rotatably engaged with the key and rotates in conjunction with the pivoting of the key, and a support member having a support surface which slideably supports the outer circumferential surface of the rotation axis of the hammer, wherein the support surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rotation axis of the hammer moves up or down on the support surface when the key is pivoted.

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for supporting a hammer in a keyboard device, comprising: a key whose rear end is pivotably supported; a hammer which is rotatably engaged with the key and rotates in conjunction with the pivoting of the key; and a support member having a support surface that supports the rotation axis of the hammer, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the rotation axis of the hammer is slidably supported on the support surface which is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rotation axis of the hammer is raised or lowered on the support surface when the key is pivoted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard mechanism. [Figure 3] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard mechanism, showing the portion IIIa in Figure 2, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard mechanism showing the state in which the key has been rotated from the state in Figure 3(a) to an intermediate position in the key-pressing position. [Figure 4] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard mechanism showing the state in which the key has rotated from the state in Figure 3(b) to the end position of the key push, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of key stroke and the load acting on the key from the hammer. [Figure 5] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device of the second embodiment, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the key stroke and the load acting on the key from the hammer. [Figure 6] (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device of the third embodiment, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the key stroke and the load acting on the key from the hammer. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device of the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. First, the overall configuration of the keyboard device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device 1 in the first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 1. In Figure 1, a part of the partition wall 41 of the chassis 4 is broken along the break line, exposing the support surface 43a (see enlarged portion of Figure 1) that supports the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6.

[0010] Furthermore, the arrows UD, FB, and LR in Figure 1 indicate the vertical, horizontal, and horizontal directions of the keyboard device 1, respectively (the direction in which the multiple keys 2 are arranged; hereinafter referred to as the "scale direction"), and the same applies to Figures 2 and beyond. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 1 cut by a plane perpendicular to the scale direction.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the keyboard device 1 is a device that constitutes a keyboard instrument (electronic piano or synthesizer) and is equipped with a plurality of keys 2 (88 in this embodiment) that are pressed by the performer. The keys 2 consist of a plurality of white keys 2a (52 in this embodiment) for playing diatonic notes and a plurality of black keys 2b (36 in this embodiment) for playing derived notes, and these plurality of white keys 2a and black keys 2b are arranged in the scale direction (arrows L and R direction).

[0012] The keyboard device 1 includes a shelf plate 3 (see Figure 2) for supporting the keys 2. The shelf plate 3 is formed from synthetic resin, steel plate, or the like and is a flat plate extending in the direction of the scale. A resin chassis 4 is supported on the upper surface of the shelf plate 3. The chassis 4 is fixed to the shelf plate 3 at both its front and rear ends (in the direction of arrows FB) via channel members 5. An axial rotating shaft 40 is provided on the upper surface of the rear end side (arrow B side) of the chassis 4, oriented along the direction of the scale. The rear end portion of the keys 2 is rotatably (oscillated) on the rotating shaft 40.

[0013] The chassis 4 has flat, plate-shaped bulkheads 41 extending in the front-rear direction, and a hammer 6, which is linked to the rotation of the key 2, is housed between multiple bulkheads 41 that are facing each other and aligned in the scale direction. Guide portions 42 (see enlarged portion of Figure 1) are formed on the side of each of the multiple bulkheads 41, projecting toward the other facing each other. Although not shown in the illustration, the guide portions 42 are formed in pairs so as to face each other in the scale direction, and this pair of guide portions 42 are connected by a support portion 43 (see enlarged portion of Figure 1). Note that these guide portions 42 and support portions 43 are formed integrally with the bulkheads 41 (chassis 4), but they may be formed separately.

[0014] The upper surface of the support portion 43 has a support surface 43a that slopes downward toward the front (arrow F side) and a horizontal surface 43b that extends horizontally in the front-rear direction, connected to the front end of the support surface 43a. The support surface 43a is a plane that slopes with a constant gradient from its rear end to its front end, and the rotating shaft 60, which is formed integrally with the hammer 6, is supported on the support surface 43a.

[0015] The rotating shaft 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the direction of the scale. As will be described in detail later, when the hammer 6 rotates in conjunction with the pressing of the key 2, the rotating shaft 60 rotates and slides on the support surface 43a. This sliding displacement of the rotating shaft 60 on the support surface 43a is guided by the guide part 42.

[0016] The side surface of the guide section 42 is configured as a guide surface 42a (see enlarged portion of Figure 1) that guides the sliding of the rotation axis 60, and the side surfaces on both ends of the rotation axis 60 in the scale direction are configured as guided surfaces 60a (see Figure 1). These guide surface 42a and guided surfaces 60a are planes perpendicular to the scale direction.

[0017] The distance between a pair of facing guide surfaces 42a in the scale direction is formed to be substantially the same (slightly larger) as the thickness of the rotating shaft 60 in the scale direction. Therefore, although not shown in the figure, when the rotating shaft 60 is inserted between the opposing pair of guide portions 42, the gap between the guide surface 42a and the guided surface 60a is small, and the rotation and sliding of the rotating shaft 60 on the support surface 43a are guided by the contact between the guide surface 42a and the guided surface 60a.

[0018] The hammer 6 includes a mass portion (mass body) 61 located on the rear side (arrow B side) of the rotating shaft 60 and a pressing portion 62 located on the front side (arrow F side) of the rotating shaft 6%. On the upper surface of the pressing portion 62, a receiving portion 63 that is recessed downward is formed, and a protruding portion 20 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the key 2 is inserted into the receiving portion 63.

[0019] The bottom surface of the receiving portion 63 and the lower surface of the protruding portion 20 are each formed in an arc shape, and when the key 2 rotates with the key pressing, the lower surface of the protruding portion 20 rotates along the bottom surface of the receiving portion 63. That is, the protruding portion 20 of the key 2 is pivotally supported so as not to be slidable with respect to the receiving portion 63 of the hammer 6.

[0020] Below the pressing portion 62, a substrate 7 having a switch 70 (sensor) on its upper surface is provided. When the key 2 is pressed, the switch 70 is pushed in by the pressing portion 6% that is displaced downward. The key pressing information (note information) of the key 2 is detected by the on / off of this switch 70, and a musical tone signal based on the detection result is output to the outside.

[0021] Also, when the key 2 is pressed, the hammer 6 rotates around the rotating shaft 60, and the mass portion 61 is lifted by the rotation of the hammer 6. The reaction force accompanying the rotation of the hammer 6 gives the player the key pressing feeling when the key 2 is pressed.

[0022] Next, the detailed configuration of the keyboard device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 1, enlarged from part IIIa of Figure 2, and Figure 3(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 1 showing the state in which key 2 has rotated from the state in Figure 3(a) to an intermediate position in the key-pressing motion. Figure 4(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 1 showing the state in which key 2 has rotated from the state in Figure 3(b) to the final position in the key-pressing motion, and Figure 4(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the stroke amount of key 2 and the load acting on key 2 from hammer 6.

[0023] The end position of the key push is the position where the pressing portion 62 of the hammer 6 fully presses down on the switch 70 on the circuit board 7. Also, in the graph in Figure 4(b), the vertical axis shows the magnitude of the load (N), and the horizontal axis shows the stroke amount of the key 2 (the same applies to Figures 5(b) and 6(b) described later).

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, when the key 2 (white key 2a in the example shown in Figure 3) rotates in conjunction with the key being pressed, the arc-shaped projection 20 rotates around the center of a circle that includes the lower surface of the projection 20 (the bottom surface of the receiving portion 63). Hereafter, the center of this circle (the axis center at the pivot point between the key 2 and the hammer 6) will be referred to as the engagement point P1 between the key 2 and the hammer 6. This engagement point P1 rotates around the rotation axis 40 (see Figure 2) as the key 2 rotates when the key is pressed, and in Figure 3(a), the displacement trajectory of the engagement point P1 around the rotation axis 40 is shown by the dashed line V1 (hereinafter referred to as "rotation trajectory V1 of engagement point P1").

[0025] The outer circumferential surface 60b of the rotating shaft 60, which is formed on the lower surface of the hammer 6, is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape. In the initial position before the key 2 is pressed, the outer circumferential surface 60b of the rotating shaft 60 is supported by the support surface 43a of the support part 43 (chassis 4). Hereinafter, the point where the axis center of the rotating shaft 60 (the center of the arc-shaped outer circumferential surface 60b) is located in the initial position before pressing the key will be referred to as the initial point P2.

[0026] In the initial position before pressing the key, the initial point P2 is located behind and below the engagement point P1. In Figure 3(a), a virtual circle V2 is shown, which is a virtual circle (arc) centered on the initial point P2 and passing through the engagement point P1 in the initial position before pressing the key. This virtual circle V2 can also be described as a circle connecting points that are equal in distance from the initial point P2.

[0027] The rotational trajectory V1 of the engagement point P1 between the key 2 and the hammer 6 is an arc with a smaller curvature (larger radius of curvature) than the virtual circle V2, and in this embodiment, the rotational trajectory V1 of the engagement point P1 intersects with the virtual circle V2 (see the enlarged portion of Figure 3(a)). That is, when the key 2 rotates from the initial position before pressing the key (state in Figure 3(a)) to an intermediate position after pressing the key (state in Figure 3(b)), the engagement point P1 approaches the initial point P2, while when the key 2 rotates from that intermediate position to the final position after pressing the key, the engagement point P1 moves away from the initial point P2.

[0028] Therefore, as the key 2 rotates from the initial position before pressing the key, as shown in Figure 3(a), to the intermediate position after pressing the key, as shown in Figure 3(b), the projection 20 of the key 2 pushes the hammer 6 backward (towards arrow B). This push causes the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 to slide upward along the support surface 43a while rotating (see arrow A in Figure 3(b)).

[0029] Furthermore, when the key 2 is pushed further from the state shown in Figure 3(b) and rotates to the terminal position shown in Figure 4(a), the projection 20 of the key 2 pulls the hammer 6 forward (towards arrow F), causing the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 to slide downwards on the support surface 43a while rotating (see arrow B in Figure 4(a)). In other words, the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 reciprocates (moves up and down) on the support surface 43a from the initial position to the terminal position of the key.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, the support surface 43a that slidably supports the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rotation axis 60 is raised and lowered on the support surface 43a when the key 2 is pressed. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(b), the load acting from the hammer 6 on the key 2 (the load felt by the player as a reaction force) gradually decreases from the initial position to the final position of the key press. This makes it possible to gradually lighten the feel of pressing the key as it approaches the final position of the key press, without using elastic bodies or magnets as in the conventional technology. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the keyboard device 1 and lower the product cost while providing the player with a good playing feel.

[0031] Furthermore, by adjusting the relative position between the rotation axis 40 of key 2 (see Figure 2) and the engagement point P1 (the curvature of the rotation trajectory V1 shown in Figure 3(a)), or by adjusting the relative position between the engagement point P1 and the initial point P2 (support surface 43a) (the curvature of the virtual circle V2), the load acting from the hammer 6 to key 2 from the initial position to the final position of pressing the key (for example, the slope of the graph shown in Figure 4(b)) can be changed. In addition, the load acting on key 2 can also be changed by adjusting the inclination angle of the support surface 43a with respect to the horizontal direction, the center of gravity position of the hammer 6, etc. In this way, by adjusting the positional relationships of each part of the keyboard device 1, a good playing feel can be provided to the performer.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the key 2 is pressed, the switch 70 is pressed by the pressing portion 62 of the hammer 6. However, while the switch 70 is pressed, the load acting on the key 2 from the hammer 6 gradually decreases. That is, the feel of pressing the key is relatively lighter near the end position (when the switch 70 is pressed) compared to near the initial position of pressing the key. As a result, the reaction force when the switch 70 is pressed is less noticeable to the performer. This also provides the performer with a good playing feel.

[0033] Thus, in order to gradually reduce the change in load acting from the hammer 6 to the key 2 towards the end position, it is presumed that the inclination direction of the support surface 43a is important, in addition to the positional relationship of each part of the keyboard device 1 described above. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the support surface 43a is inclined downward toward the engagement point P1 side (arrow F side) between the key 2 and the hammer 6, but in a configuration in which the support surface 43a is inclined downward toward the direction away from the engagement point P1 (arrow B side), for example, the result was obtained in which the load acting from the hammer 6 to the key 2 does not decrease easily from the initial position to the end position.

[0034] Therefore, it is preferable to make the support surface 43a slope downward toward the engagement point P1 between the key 2 and the hammer 6. This makes it easier for the load acting from the hammer 6 on the key 2 to decrease from the initial position to the final position, thus providing the player with a good key-pressing feel.

[0035] Here, by adjusting the positional relationship of each part of the keyboard device 1, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the rotation axis 260 of the hammer 206 continues to rise on the support surface 243a from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position, or a configuration in which the rotation axis 360 of the hammer 306 continues to descend on the support surface 343a, as shown in the second and third embodiments described later (see Figures 5 and 6). However, in these second and third embodiments, it is necessary to form a long sliding region for the hammers 206 and 306 (rotation axes 260 and 360) on the support surfaces 243a and 343a.

[0036] In contrast, in this embodiment, the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 rises and then descends on the support surface 43a from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position. That is, since the rotation axis 60 reciprocates on the support surface 43a, the length of the support surface 43a in the front-rear direction (the sliding region of the rotation axis 60) can be made shorter compared to the configuration in which the rotation axis 60 continuously rises or falls on the support surface 43a from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position as described above. By making the support surface 43a shorter, constraints on the placement space of other components are reduced, thereby improving the design freedom of the keyboard device 1.

[0037] Furthermore, guided surfaces 60a (see Figure 1) are formed on both sides of the rotation axis 60 of the hammer 6 in the scale direction, and as described above, this pair of guided surfaces 60a are sandwiched between the guide surface 42a of the guide part 42 (see enlarged portion of Figure 1). As a result, the vertical movement of the rotation axis 60 on the support surface 43a can be stably guided by the contact between the guide surface 42a and the guided surfaces 60a, thereby providing the player with a good key-pressing feel.

[0038] In this embodiment, a single rotating shaft 60 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the hammer 6. However, as in the fourth embodiment described later (see Figure 7), it is also possible to raise and lower rotating shafts 460 protruding from the hammer 406 on both sides in the scale direction on a pair of support surfaces 443a. However, in a configuration where rotating shafts 460 are formed on both sides of the hammer 406 in the scale direction, errors are likely to occur in the shape (curvature) and formation position of the outer circumferential surface 460b between one rotating shaft 460 and the other rotating shaft 460. Such errors are likely to cause looseness in the rotation and sliding movement of the rotating shaft 460 on the support surface 443a.

[0039] In contrast, with the configuration in this embodiment, where the outer circumferential surface 60b of a single rotating shaft 60 formed on the lower surface of the hammer 6 slides on the support surface 43a, the shape errors described above are less likely to occur. As a result, the rotation and sliding motion of the rotating shaft 60 on the support surface 43a can be stabilized, providing the player with a good key-pressing feel.

[0040] Next, the keyboard devices 201 and 301 of the second and third embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Note that parts identical to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0041] Figure 5(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 201 of the second embodiment, and Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the stroke amount of the key 2 and the load acting on the key 2 from the hammer 206 in the second embodiment. Figure 6(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the keyboard device 301 of the third embodiment, and Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the stroke amount of the key 2 and the load acting on the key 2 from the hammer 306 in the third embodiment.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the second embodiment, the keyboard device 201 engages with the projection 20 of the key 2 (white key 2a) and the receiving portion 63 of the hammer 206 at the same height engagement point P1 as in the first embodiment described above. On the other hand, the support surface 243a of the chassis 204 and the formation position of the rotation axis 260 of the hammer 206 (initial point P2 of the rotation axis 260) are lower than in the first embodiment.

[0043] In other words, the rotational trajectory V1 of the engagement point P1 intersects the virtual circle V2 more deeply than in the first embodiment, and from the initial position before the key is pressed to the final position, only a displacement occurs in which the engagement point P1 approaches the initial point P2 (the engagement point P1 continues to approach the initial point P2). In the configuration of this second embodiment, although not shown in the figures, from the initial position of pressing the key 2 to the final position, a sliding displacement occurs in which the rotation axis 260 of the hammer 206 continues to rise on the support surface 243a (when the key 2 is released, the rotation axis 260 descends the support surface 243a).

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment as well, the support surface 243a that slidably supports the rotation axis 260 of the hammer 206 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rotation axis 260 rises above the support surface 243a when the key 2 is pressed. In this configuration as well, as shown in Figure 5(b), the load acting on the key 2 from the hammer 206 gradually decreases from the initial position to the final position of the key press. As a result, the feel of pressing the key can be gradually lightened as the key approaches the final position without using elastic bodies or magnets as in the conventional technology.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6(a), in the keyboard device 301 of the third embodiment, the projection 20 of the key 2 (white key 2a) and the receiving portion 63 of the hammer 306 engage at the same height engagement point P1 as in the first embodiment described above. On the other hand, the support surface 343a of the chassis 304 and the formation position of the rotation axis 360 of the hammer 306 (initial point P2 of the rotation axis 360) are formed at a higher position compared to the first embodiment.

[0046] Furthermore, the configuration is such that, from the initial position before the key is pressed to the final position, only a displacement occurs in which the engagement point P1 moves away from the initial point P2 (the engagement point P1 continues to move away from the initial point P2). In the configuration of this third embodiment, although not shown in the illustration, from the initial position of pressing the key 2 to the final position, a sliding displacement occurs in which the rotation axis 360 of the hammer 306 continues to descend the support surface 343a (when the key 2 is released, the rotation axis 360 rises above the support surface 343a).

[0047] Thus, in this embodiment as well, the support surface 343a that slidably supports the rotation axis 360 of the hammer 306 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the rotation axis 360 moves downward on the support surface 343a when the key 2 is pressed. In this configuration as well, as shown in Figure 6(b), the load acting on the key 2 from the hammer 306 gradually decreases from the initial position to the final position of the key press. As a result, the feel of pressing the key can be gradually lightened as the key approaches the final position without using elastic bodies or magnets as in the conventional technology.

[0048] As in these second and third embodiments, by changing the positional relationship of the various parts of the keyboard devices 201 and 301, the load acting from the hammers 206 and 306 on the keys 2 from the initial position to the final position can be adjusted. This provides the performer with a good playing feel.

[0049] Next, the keyboard device 401 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts identical to those in the embodiments described above, and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device 401 of the fourth embodiment. In Figure 7, a portion of the partition wall 41 of the chassis 4 is broken along a break line, exposing the support surface 443a (see enlarged portion in the lower left of Figure 7) that supports the rotation axis 460 of the hammer 406 (see enlarged portion in the upper right of Figure 7).

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, in the keyboard device 401 of the fourth embodiment, similar to the first embodiment described above, a pair of guide parts 42 (see the enlarged lower left portion of Figure 7) facing each other in the scale direction are connected by a support part 443. The upper surface of the support part 443 has a support surface 443a that slopes downward toward the front side (arrow F side) and a horizontal surface 43b that is connected to the front end of the support surface 443a. The support surfaces 443a are formed in pairs, spaced apart in the scale direction.

[0051] A guided portion 464 (see the enlarged upper right portion of Figure 7) with the same shape as the rotating shaft 60 (see Figure 2) described above is integrally formed on the lower surface of the hammer 406, and the sides of this guided portion 464 on both sides in the scale direction are configured as guided surfaces 464a.

[0052] A cylindrical rotating shaft 460, whose axis is oriented in the scale direction, is integrally formed on the guided surface 464a (side surface of the hammer 406). Although not shown in the figure, a rotating shaft 460 is provided on each of the guided surfaces 464a formed on both sides of the hammer 406 in the scale direction. That is, a pair of rotating shafts 460 protrude from the hammer 406 on both sides in the scale direction, and the outer circumferential surfaces 460b of this pair of rotating shafts 460 are supported by the support surface 443a.

[0053] Guide surfaces 443c (see the enlarged lower left section of Figure 7) are perpendicularly connected to the inner ends of each of the pair of support surfaces 443a in the scale direction, and the guide surfaces 443c are planes perpendicular to the scale direction. Although not shown in the illustration, when the rotation axis 460 is supported on the support surface 443a, the guided portion 464 of the hammer 406 is inserted between the pair of guide surfaces 443c facing each other in the scale direction. In this inserted state, the gap between the guide surface 443c and the guided surface 464a of the guided portion 464 is small.

[0054] Although not shown in the illustration, in this embodiment as well, the hammer 406 (rotating shaft 460) is configured to move up and down on the support surface 443a from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position. This allows the load acting on the key (not shown) from the hammer 406 to be gradually reduced from the initial position to the final position, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, without using elastic bodies or magnets as in the prior art, the feel of pressing the key can be gradually lightened as the key approaches the final position from the initial position. Consequently, the number of parts in the keyboard device 1 can be reduced, lowering product costs while providing the player with a good playing feel.

[0055] Furthermore, since the guided surfaces 464a provided on both sides of the guided portion 464 in the scale direction are sandwiched between a pair of guide surfaces 443c, the vertical movement of the rotation axis 460 on the support surface 443a can be stably guided by the contact between the guide surfaces 443c and the guided surfaces 464a. Thus, a good key-pressing feel can be provided to the performer.

[0056] In this embodiment, the sliding of the rotating shaft 460 is guided by contact between the guide surface 443c and the guided surface 464a, but this is not necessarily the only method. For example, the sliding of the rotating shaft 460 may be guided by bringing the outer side surface 460a of the rotating shaft 460 in the scale direction (see the enlarged upper right portion of Figure 7) into contact with the guide surface 42a of the guide portion 42 (see the enlarged lower left portion of Figure 7).

[0057] 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.

[0058] Although not explained in detail in the embodiments described above, the angles of the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a with respect to the horizontal direction are preferably 30° to 60°, and more preferably 40° to 50°. By setting the angles within this range, a good key-pressing feel can be provided to the performer.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the initial point P2 of the rotation axis 60, 260, 360 is located behind the engagement point P1 has been explained, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, the initial point P2 of the rotation axis 60, 260, 360 may be located in front of the engagement point P1. That is, in other known keyboard devices in which the pressing portion 62 of the hammers 6, 206, 306, 406 is located behind the rotation axis 60, 260, 360, 460, the support method for the hammers 6, 206, 306, 406 of the embodiments described above (a structure in which the rotation axis 60, 260, 360, 460 is supported on support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, 443a that are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction) can be applied. As an example of such other known keyboard devices, the keyboard device described in International Publication No. 2021 / 124479 is exemplified.

[0060] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a are planes that slope downward as they approach the engagement point P1 has been explained, but the embodiment is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a may slope downward as they move away from the engagement point P1, or part or all of the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a may be formed as curved surfaces.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the upper surfaces of the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a are open has been explained, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, a configuration may be provided in which a wall (a wall facing parallel to the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a) is provided to restrict the movement of the rotation axes 60, 260, 360, and 460 in the direction away from the support surfaces 43a, 243a, 343a, and 443a. As an example of such a configuration, for example, a configuration is provided in which a wall (a wall that sandwiches the rotation axis 460 between itself and the support surface 443a) is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface 460b of the rotation axis 460 from above in the fourth embodiment.

[0062] In each of the above embodiments, as an example of a structure for pivotally supporting the engagement portion between the key 2 and the hammers 6,206,306,406 in a non-sliding manner, a structure in which a projection 20 with an arc-shaped tip is inserted into a receiving portion 63 with an arc-shaped bottom surface is provided as an example, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. Other known technologies can also be used for the structure for pivotally supporting the key 2 and the hammers 6,206,306,406 in a non-sliding manner, and examples of such technologies include the structures described in International Publication No. 2021 / 124477 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-093678.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the key 2 is pressed is detected when the switch 70 is pressed by the hammers 6, 206, 306, and 406, has been explained, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the key 2 may press the switch 70, or the key 2 may be pressed by a non-contact sensor.

[0064] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the key 2 and the hammers 6,206,306,406 are supported by a common chassis 4,204,304,404 was explained. However, the member supporting the key 2 and the member supporting the hammers 6,206,306,406 (on which support surfaces 43a,243a,343a,443a are formed) may be separate members.

[0065] In the first embodiment described above, the explanation of the relationship between the displacement (amount of upward movement) when the hammer 6 (rotating shaft 60) moves up the support surface 43a from the initial position before pressing the key to an intermediate position, and the displacement (amount of downward movement) when the hammer 6 moves down the support surface 43a from the intermediate position to the final position during pressing the key, has been omitted. These amounts of upward movement and downward movement may be the same or different. That is, for example, the amount of downward movement of the hammer 6 may be greater than the amount of upward movement, or the amount of downward movement may be smaller than the amount of upward movement.

[0066] In the first embodiment described above, the case in which the hammer 6 (rotating shaft 60) rises and then descends on the support surface 43a from the initial position before pressing the key to the terminal position was explained. However, it is also possible to configure the hammer 6 (rotating shaft 60) to descend and then rise on the support surface 43a from the initial position before pressing the key to the terminal position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1,201,301,401 Keyboard device 2a White key (key) 2b Black key (key) 4,204,304,404 Chassis (support members) 42a Guide surface 43a,243a,343a,443a Support surface 443c Guide surface 6,206,306,406 Hammers 60,260,360,460 rotation axis 60a Guided surface 60b,260b,360b,460b Outer surface 464a Guided surface 70 Switches (Sensors) P1 Engagement point (the part where the key and hammer engage)

Claims

1. The device comprises a key whose rear end is pivotably supported, a hammer which rotatably engages with the key and rotates in conjunction with the pivoting of the key, and a support member having a support surface which slidably supports the outer circumferential surface of the rotation axis of the hammer, The aforementioned support surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, A keyboard device characterized in that the rotation axis of the hammer moves up or down on the support surface when the key is swung.

2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surface is inclined downward as it approaches the engagement portion between the key and the hammer.

3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotation shaft reciprocates on the support surface when the key swings from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position after pressing the key.

4. The keyboard device according to claim 3, characterized in that when the key swings from the initial position before pressing the key to the final position after pressing the key, the rotation axis rises and then descends the support surface.

5. The system includes a sensor that is pressed by the key or the hammer when the key is pressed, The keyboard device according to claim 1, characterized in that the load acting from the hammer on the key gradually decreases from the initial position before pressing the key to the position where the sensor is pressed.

6. The hammer comprises a pair of guided surfaces formed on both sides in the scale direction, The support member comprises a pair of guide surfaces that sandwich the pair of surfaces to be guided, The keyboard device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding of the rotation axis on the support surface is guided by contact between the guided surface and the guide surface.

7. The keyboard device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer circumferential surface of the single rotating shaft formed on the hammer is supported by the support surface.

8. A method for supporting a hammer in a keyboard device comprising: a key whose rear end is pivotably supported; a hammer which is rotatably engaged with the key and rotates in conjunction with the pivoting of the key; and a support member having a support surface that supports the rotation axis of the hammer, The outer circumferential surface of the rotation axis of the hammer is slidably supported on the support surface which is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A method for supporting a hammer, characterized in that the rotation axis of the hammer is raised or lowered on the support surface when the key is oscillated.

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