Keyboard device

Abstract

To provide a keyboard device for a grand piano-type digital piano that allows the keyboard unit to be moved forward without interference between the action mechanism and the front frame. [Solution] The keyboard device includes a housing having a shelf and an opening formed above the shelf, and a keyboard unit disposed on the shelf and including an action mechanism and keys positioned in a first direction relative to the action mechanism, wherein the keyboard unit is slidable on the shelf in the first direction, and the first portion of the keyboard unit is made movable forward of the opening by increasing the vertical spacing of the opening.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a keyboard device. <00000\05>

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a keyboard device such as a grand piano type acoustic piano and an electronic piano as shown in Patent Document 1, a structure that allows the keyboard unit to be moved forward is adopted for maintenance of the keyboard unit. In the case of a grand piano type acoustic piano, all members of the action mechanism are located below the lower end of the front frame, and since the action mechanism and the front frame do not interfere with each other, the keyboard unit can be moved forward beyond the front frame. [

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of a grand piano type electronic piano, unlike an acoustic piano, some members of the action mechanism may be located above the lower end of the front frame. In this case, if an attempt is made to move the keyboard unit forward beyond the front frame, the action mechanism and the front frame will interfere with each other.

[0005] One object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that can move a keyboard unit forward without interference between an action mechanism and a front frame in a grand piano type electronic piano.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having a shelf and an opening formed above the shelf, and a keyboard unit disposed on the shelf and including an action mechanism and keys positioned in a first direction relative to the action mechanism, wherein the keyboard unit is slidable on the shelf in the first direction, and the first portion of the keyboard unit is made movable forward of the opening by increasing the vertical spacing of the opening.

[0007] The action mechanism includes a hammer that moves in conjunction with the pressing of the key, and the keyboard unit includes a hammer stopper that restricts the movement of the hammer in conjunction with the pressing of the key, wherein at least a portion of the hammer stopper is the first portion, and the first portion is located above the upper end of the opening before the vertical gap becomes larger, and the hammer stopper may be able to move forward of the opening as the upper end of the opening is displaced.

[0008] The action mechanism includes a hammer that moves in conjunction with the pressing of the key, and the keyboard unit includes a sensor that detects the position of the hammer, wherein at least a portion of the sensor is the first portion, and the first portion is located above the upper end of the opening before the vertical gap becomes larger, and the sensor may be able to move forward of the opening as the upper end of the opening is displaced.

[0009] The system further includes a front frame provided above the key and in the first direction of the action mechanism, which conceals the action mechanism from the performer, the first portion of which is positioned higher than the lower end of the front frame, the lower end of the opening being formed by the shelf, and the upper end of the opening being formed by the lower end of the front frame.

[0010] The keyboard unit comprises a shelf board and a side plate surrounding the keyboard unit, and a support member spanning across opposing portions of the side plate, wherein the keyboard unit includes a plurality of keys, the plurality of keys are arranged in a first direction, the support member has an elongation in the first direction, and the front frame may be detachably supported by the support member.

[0011] The system further comprises a second member, wherein the front frame is fixed to the support member by a fastening member, and the movement of the front frame may be restricted by the support member and the second member when the front frame is not fixed by the fastening member.

[0012] The second member is provided in front of the front frame, and the front frame may be slidable upward when it is not fixed by the fastening member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard device is provided that allows the keyboard unit to be moved forward in a grand piano-type digital piano without interference between the action mechanism and the front frame. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the internal structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a top view of the keyboard mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sound source device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates a method for moving the keyboard unit forward in a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates a method for moving the front frame upward in a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the internal structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the internal structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referenced in this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the same parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated descriptions of them may be omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings (ratios between each component, ratios in the length, width, and height directions, etc.) may differ from the actual ratios for the sake of explanation, and some components may be omitted from the drawings. In the following description, terms such as "up," "upper," "upper end," "down," "downward," and "lower end" may be used based on the vertical direction in each drawing, but these vertical directions merely describe the relative directional relationship, and the vertical directions may be reversed.

[0016] [1. Overall configuration of keyboard device 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a keyboard device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device 10 has a keyboard on which a plurality of keys 100 are arranged and a pedal 200. The keys 100 and the pedal 200 are provided on the front surface of the keyboard device 10. A performance is performed by a performer operating the keys 100 and the pedal 200. In FIG. 1, a hybrid piano equipped with a grand piano type action mechanism is shown as an example of the keyboard device 10. However, the keyboard device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a grand piano type hybrid piano, and may be an upright piano type hybrid piano as long as it has a structure in which a keyboard unit can be pulled forward. Further, it is not limited to a hybrid piano, and other forms of hybrid pianos, acoustic musical instruments, or electronic musical instruments may be used. As another form of hybrid piano, it can be applied to a silent piano. In an acoustic musical instrument, for example, in an upright piano, the keyboard mechanism and the action mechanism may be integrated so that the front upper board can be removed and the integrated structure can slide on a shelf board. Further, it is not limited to a piano, and it may be applied to a keyboard musical instrument having an action such as a harpsichord. In an electronic musical instrument, it may be applied to a keyboard mechanism having an action mechanism with a mass body that rotates according to a key operation and is placed on a shelf board. Although there are a plurality of pedals for the keyboard device 10, the pedal 200 indicates a damper pedal.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a view of the internal structure of the keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side. As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard device 10 includes a key 100, a shelf board 210, a side plate 220, a lower mouth bar 230, a keyboard cover 240, a score board 250, a score stand 260, an action mechanism 300, a hammer 400, a hammer stopper 500, a front frame 600, a soundboard 700, and a vibrator 710. The key 100, the action mechanism 300, the hammer 400, and the hammer stopper 500 may be collectively referred to as a keyboard unit 20.

[0018] The key 100 includes a white key 100w and a black key 100b. In FIG. 2, for the white key 100w, the key-off state is depicted by a solid line, and the key-pressed state is depicted by a two-dot chain line. For the sake of convenience in explanation, each white key 100w in the key-off state and the key-pressed state extends from its respective front end toward the rear end, and is omitted in the middle. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the white key 100w and the black key 100b, it is simply referred to as the key 100. The key 100 has a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. The keyboard device 10 includes a plurality of white keys 100w and black keys 100b, which are arranged side by side in the scale direction.

[0019] The shelf board 210 is a member that constitutes the bottom of the keyboard device 10 and supports the keyboard unit 20. The keyboard unit 20 can slide in the front-rear direction on the shelf board 210. The side plates 220 are provided so as to surround the shelf board 210 and the keyboard unit 20, and are provided at both ends of the keyboard unit 20 in the scale direction. That is, in the scale direction, the keyboard unit 20 is provided between a pair of side plates 220. The lower mouth bar 230 is provided between a pair of side plates 220 and in the front-lower part of the keyboard unit 20, and is provided to prevent the lower part of the keyboard unit 20 from being visible to the performer. The lower mouth bar 230 is detachable from the shelf board 210.

[0020] The keyboard cover 240 is provided above the keyboard unit 20 and rotates about the rotation axis 241. The state shown in FIG. 2 is the state where the keyboard cover 240 has rotated upward. When the keyboard cover 240 rotates downward about the rotation axis 241, the keyboard cover 240 moves to a position covering above the key 100 so that the key 100 is not visible to the performer. The keyboard cover 240 is detachable from the side plate 220. The music score board 250 is provided above the keyboard device 10. By raising the music score board 250 upward, a music score can be propped up on the music score board 250. The music score stands 260 are provided on both sides of the music score board 250 in the scale direction.

[0021] The action mechanism 300 is positioned on the shelf 210. The key 100 is located in front of the action mechanism 300. The action mechanism 300 operates in response to the movement of the key 100. Specifically, the action mechanism 300 supports the hammer 400 from below and releases its support just before a portion of the hammer 400 (the hammer shank in Figure 2) collides with the hammer stopper 500. In other words, the action mechanism 300 lifts the hammer 400 upward as the key 100 is pressed, and releases its support just before the hammer shank collides with the hammer stopper 500. When the key 100 returns from the pressed state to the released state, the action mechanism 300 again supports the hammer 400 from below.

[0022] A shielding plate 410 is provided on a portion of the hammer 400 (the hammer shank in Figure 2). Above the shielding plate 410, a sensor 420 is provided to detect the position of the hammer 400. In a side view, as shown in Figure 2, the shielding plate 410 does not overlap with the sensor 420 in the unlocked state, while the shielding plate 410 overlaps with the sensor 420 in the pressed state. The sensor 420 includes a pair of members (a light source and a light receiving unit) arranged side by side in the scale direction. The light source emits light, and the light receiving unit detects the emitted light. In the pressed state, the shielding plate 410 is positioned between the light source and the light receiving unit, shielding the light emitted from the light source. Therefore, in the pressed state, the light receiving unit does not detect light from the light source. In this way, the unlocked state and the pressed state can be determined by whether or not the light receiving unit detects light. In this embodiment, a light-based sensor is exemplified as an example of a sensor, but a variety of other sensors can be used.

[0023] The hammer stopper 500 is located above the hammer 400. As described above, the hammer stopper 500 restricts the upward movement of the hammer 400 during the key-pressing action. The hammer stopper 500 is fixed to a part of the keyboard unit 20 by the legs 510. The hammer stopper 500 extends in the scale direction and is provided in common for multiple keys 100 that are arranged in a row in the scale direction. The hammer stopper 500 is the highest-located part of the keyboard unit 20. The highest-located part of the keyboard unit 20 is sometimes referred to as the "first part". In the configuration shown in Figure 2, a part of the hammer stopper 500 is the first part.

[0024] In an acoustic piano, the upward rotation range of the hammer is limited by its collision with the string. Since the string is fixed to the keyboard housing, the highest point in the keyboard unit is the hammer or part of the hammer assembly. In contrast, in an electronic piano, the hammer stopper 500, which is provided to replace the string in an acoustic piano, is located at the highest point in the keyboard unit 20. Therefore, the keyboard unit 20 of an electronic piano is higher than the keyboard unit 20 of an acoustic piano.

[0025] Figure 3 is a top view of the keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front frame 600 is provided between a pair of side plates 220, above the keys 100 and in front of the action mechanism 300. The front frame 600 is a plate-shaped member having a longitudinal side in the scale direction. The front frame 600 is provided to conceal the action mechanism 300 from the performer. As will be described in detail later, the front frame 600 is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In other words, the front frame 600 is detachable. As shown in Figure 2, the shelf plate 210, the side plates 220, and the front frame 600 form an opening 610. In the following description, the shelf plate 210, the side plates 220, and the front frame 600 may be collectively referred to as the "housing 30".

[0026] In this case, it can be said that the housing 30 is provided with an opening 610. Furthermore, it can be said that the opening 610 is formed above the shelf 210. Also, it can be said that the lower end of the opening 610 is formed by the shelf 210, and the upper end of the opening 610 is formed by the lower end of the front frame 600. The keyboard unit 20 slides forward and passes through this opening 610, thereby removing the keyboard unit 20 from the keyboard device 10. As will be described in detail later, the keyboard unit 20 is removed from the keyboard device 10 as the vertical gap of the opening 610 increases. When expressed as above, it can be said that the first part (part of the hammer stopper 500) is located above the upper end of the opening 610 before the vertical gap of the opening 610 increases.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a support member 620 is provided at a position opposite the front frame 600. The support member 620 is a member that has a longitudinal length in the scale direction, similar to the front frame 600, and is spanned between a pair of side plates 220 (opposite portions of the side plates 220). The support member 620 is fixed to the side plates 220. The front frame 600 is detachably supported by the support member 620. Specifically, the support member 620 is provided with through holes through which fastening members such as screws can pass. Screw holes corresponding to fastening members are formed on the support member 620 side of the front frame 600. The front frame 600 is fixed to the side plates 220 by screwing the fastening members through the through holes in the support member 620 and into the screw holes in the front frame 600.

[0028] The front frame 600 is sandwiched between a part of the side plate 220 (second member 221) and a support member 620. The second member 221 is located in front of the front frame 600. Therefore, in this state, the front-to-back movement of the front frame 600 is restricted by the support member 620 and the second member 221. Although the front-to-back movement of the front frame 600 is restricted, its upward movement is not restricted, so in this state, the front frame 600 can slide upward.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the soundboard 700 is located above the action mechanism 300. The soundboard 700 has a longitudinal dimension in the scale direction. An exciter 710 is located below the soundboard 700. The exciter 710 vibrates the soundboard 700 at a predetermined frequency depending on the type of key 100 that is pressed. The vibration of the soundboard 700 by the exciter 710 produces sound from the entire soundboard 700. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, a soundboard and an exciter are also provided on the rear side of the action mechanism 300. For example, the soundboard 700 produces high-pitched sounds, while the soundboard on the rear side produces mid-to-low-pitched sounds.

[0030] [2. Functional configuration of keyboard device 10] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sound source device in the first embodiment. The sound source device 80 includes a signal conversion unit 810, a sound source unit 830, and an output unit 850. Sensors 420 are provided corresponding to each key 100, detect key operation, and output a signal corresponding to the detected content. In this example, sensors 420 output signals according to three levels of key press amount. The key press speed can be detected according to the interval of these signals.

[0031] The signal conversion unit 810 acquires the output signals from the sensors 420 (sensors 420-1, 420-2, ..., 420-88 corresponding to the 88 keys 100) and generates and outputs operation signals corresponding to the operation state of each key 100. In this example, the operation signals are in MIDI format. In response to a key press, the signal conversion unit 810 outputs a note-on signal. At this time, the key number indicating which of the 88 keys 100 was pressed and the velocity corresponding to the key press speed are output in association with the note-on signal. On the other hand, in response to a key release, the signal conversion unit 810 outputs a key number and a note-off signal in association with each other. The signal conversion unit 810 may also receive signals corresponding to other operations such as pedals and reflect them in the operation signals.

[0032] The sound source unit 830 generates a sound waveform signal based on the operation signal output from the signal conversion unit 810. The output unit 850 outputs the sound waveform signal generated by the sound source unit 830. This sound waveform signal is output to, for example, a speaker or a sound waveform signal output terminal.

[0033] [3. How to remove keyboard unit 20] The removal method of the keyboard unit 20 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for moving the keyboard unit forward in a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for moving the front frame upward in a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, first, the lower end rod 230 located in front of the keyboard unit 20 and the keyboard cover 240 located in front of the action mechanism 300 are removed. In this state, sliding the keyboard unit 20 forward causes a part of the action mechanism 300 to move forward of the front frame 600. In conventional acoustic pianos, the highest-positioned part of the keyboard unit was the hammer or part of the hammer assembly. However, in an electronic piano like this embodiment, the highest-positioned part of the keyboard unit 20 (the first part) is a part of the hammer stopper 500 located above the hammer 400. Therefore, if the components other than the action mechanism 300 are manufactured with the same design as conventional acoustic pianos, the first part is located higher than the lower end of the front frame 600 (above the upper end of the opening 610), and when attempting to slide the keyboard unit 20 forward, the first part interferes with the front frame 600.

[0035] Next, after removing the music stand 250 and the music base 260, the fastening member that secured the front frame 600 to the support member 620 is removed by passing through the through hole provided in the support member 620, and the front frame 600 is slid upward as shown in Figure 6. This movement of the front frame 600 causes the lower end of the front frame 600 to be displaced upward, thus increasing the vertical distance of the opening 610. In other words, the movement of the front frame 600 causes the upper end of the opening 610 to be displaced upward. As a result, the lower end of the front frame 600 (the upper end of the opening 610) is positioned above the first member (hammer stopper 500). In this state, the first part can be moved forward of the opening 610, so the keyboard unit 20 can be removed.

[0036] As described above, according to the keyboard device 10 of this embodiment, in a grand piano-type electronic piano, the keyboard unit 20 can be moved forward without interference between the action mechanism 300 and the front frame 600.

[0037] [4. Variant] [4-1. Variation 1] A modified example of the above embodiment will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a side view of the internal structure of the keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 7 is similar to the keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 2, but differs from the keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 2 in that the "first part" located at the highest position of the keyboard unit 20 is part of the sensor 420. In the following description, the explanation of a configuration similar to that of the keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 2 will be omitted, and the differences between the two will be explained mainly.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, in the keyboard unit 20 of the keyboard device 10 according to Modification 1, the configuration of the hammer stopper 500 is simplified, and the position of the hammer stopper 500 is lower than the position of the sensor 420. As a result, the first part of the keyboard unit 20 that is located at the highest position is the sensor 420. Since a part of the sensor 420 is located above the upper end of the opening 610 before the vertical spacing increases, if the keyboard unit 20 is slid forward without moving the front frame 600 upward, this first part will interfere with the front frame 600.

[0039] However, even in such a case, as shown in Figure 6, by sliding the front frame 600 upward, the upper end of the opening 610 is displaced upward, so the sensor 420 can be moved forward of the opening 610.

[0040] [4-2. Modification 2] A modified example of the above embodiment will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a side view of the internal structure of the keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 8 is similar to the keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 2, but the operation of the front frame 600 differs from that in Figure 2. In the following description, the explanation of the configuration similar to that of the keyboard device 10 shown in Figure 2 will be omitted, and the differences between the two will be mainly explained.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, in the keyboard unit 20 of the keyboard device 10 according to Modification 2, in order to increase the vertical spacing of the opening 610, the front frame 600 is rotated around the pivot axis 630 rather than being slid upward. In other words, the means for increasing the vertical spacing of the opening 610 is not limited to a configuration in which the front frame 600 is slid upward, and means other than those described in this embodiment can be used.

[0042] [4-3. Modification 3] In the embodiments and modifications described above, a configuration is shown in which the keyboard unit 20, including the first part, is moved in front of the front frame 600 by increasing the vertical spacing of the opening 610, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, like a door, the front frame 600 may rotate horizontally around a pivot axis that extends vertically, so that the first part does not interfere with the front frame 600. In this case, the front frame 600 may be divided into two or more members, and each divided member may rotate horizontally as described above.

[0043] Even with the above modified example, the same effects as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0044] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10: Keyboard mechanism, 20: Keyboard unit, 30: Enclosure, 80: Sound source device, 100: Key, 100b: Black key, 100w: White key, 200: Pedal, 210: Shelf, 220: Side panel, 221: Second component, 230: Lower opening rod, 240: Keyboard cover, 241: Rotating shaft, 250: Music stand, 260: Music stand, 300: Action mechanism, 400: Hammer, 410: Shielding plate, 420: Sensor, 500: Hammer stopper, 510: Legs, 600: Front frame, 610: Opening, 620: Support member, 630: Rotating shaft, 700: Soundboard, 710: Vibrator, 810: Signal conversion unit, 830: Sound source section, 850: Output section

Claims

1. A housing having a shelf and an opening formed above the shelf, The keyboard unit includes a keyboard unit positioned on the shelf and comprising an action mechanism and a key located in a first direction of the action mechanism, The keyboard unit is slidable on the shelf in the first direction, A keyboard device that allows the first portion of the keyboard unit to move forward of the opening by increasing the vertical spacing of the opening.

2. The action mechanism includes a hammer that moves in conjunction with the pressing action of the key. The keyboard unit includes a hammer stopper that restricts the movement of the hammer associated with the key-pressing action. At least a portion of the hammer stopper is the first portion, The first portion is located above the upper end of the opening before the vertical spacing increases. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the hammer stopper is movable forward of the opening by displacement of the upper end of the opening.

3. The action mechanism includes a hammer that moves in conjunction with the pressing action of the key. The keyboard unit includes a sensor for detecting the position of the hammer, At least a part of the sensor is the first part, The first portion is located above the upper end of the opening before the vertical spacing increases. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the opening is displaced, allowing the sensor to move forward of the opening.

4. The system further includes a front frame provided above the key and in the first direction of the action mechanism, which conceals the action mechanism from the performer. The first portion is located at a higher position than the lower end of the front frame, The lower end of the opening is formed by the shelf board, The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the opening is formed by the lower end of the front frame.

5. The shelf board and the side panel surrounding the keyboard unit, It has a support member that spans across the opposing portions of the side plate, The aforementioned keyboard unit includes multiple keys, The aforementioned multiple keys are arranged in the first direction, The support member has an elongated length in the first direction, The keyboard device according to claim 4, wherein the front frame is detachably supported with respect to the support member.

6. It further comprises a second member, The front frame is fixed to the support member by a fastening member. The keyboard device according to claim 5, wherein, when the front frame is not fixed by the fastening member, the movement of the front frame is restricted by the support member and the second member.

7. The second member is provided in front of the front frame, The keyboard device according to claim 6, wherein the front frame is slidable upward when it is not fixed by the fastening member.

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