Support structure for keys on keyboard device, keyboard device and electronic musical instrument

Abstract

To improve quality of appearance of a keyboard device with a simple support structure for keys.SOLUTION: A support structure for keys of a keyboard device includes: a first member; a second member having a first contact point and a second contact point with respect to the first member in a cross-sectional view; and a third member having a third contact point with respect to the first member in the cross-sectional view. The first member is supported by the first contact point, the second contact point and the third contact point, which are configured between the second member and the third member, the first member is a shaft part at a key rear end part and the second member is a first bearing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for keys of a keyboard device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a support structure described in Patent Document 1 is known as a structure for rotatably supporting the keys of a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument or the like. This keyboard device rotatably supports the keys with a rod-shaped flexible member provided between the frame and the keys. The flexible member can absorb deformation of the keys caused by changes over time, etc., by bending and twisting. In this way, the keyboard device described in Patent Document 1 utilizes the flexibility of the flexible member to improve the quality of the appearance of the keyboard device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-072532 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned keyboard device requires the same number of flexible members as the number of keys. In addition, a structure for attaching the flexible members to both the frame side and the key side is required. Therefore, it is desirable to realize a keyboard device with a simpler support structure.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to improve the quality of the appearance of a keyboard device by using a simple key support structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The key support structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first member that rotates around a pivot point around an axis extending in a first direction and has freedom of movement in a rolling direction, which is the rotation direction around an axis extending in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction, and a second member that limits movement of the pivot point in the first direction and supports the first member for rotation around an axis extending in the first direction.

[0007] The first member may have a degree of freedom of movement in a yaw direction that involves a change in the location of the contact point with the second member.

[0008] The key support structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first member, a second member that, in a cross-sectional view, contacts the first member at a first contact point and a second contact point, and a third member that, in a cross-sectional view, contacts the first member at a third contact point, wherein, in a cross-sectional view, the shape of at least one of the members that intermittently slide at the first contact point, the second contact point, and the third contact point is a circular arc, and when the starting points of a first normal vector that has the first contact point as its starting point and faces the first member, and a second normal vector that has the second contact point and the third contact point as its starting point and faces the first member, are moved to one point, the angle between adjacent normal vectors is less than 180 degrees.

[0009] The key support structure of a keyboard device in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first member including a shaft portion, a second member having a first contact point and a second contact point with respect to the shaft portion in a cross-sectional view, and a third member having a third contact point with the first member in a cross-sectional view, and the shaft portion is supported by the first contact point, the second contact point and the third contact point formed between the second member and the third member.

[0010] At least one of the first member, the second member and the third member may be elastic.

[0011] The first member may be a rotating member (a member that can rotate).

[0012] The rotating member may have a positioning portion that determines the position of the rotating member in the front-rear direction, and in a plan view, the positioning portions may be located on either side of the rotation axis of the rotating member and spaced apart from each other from the rotation axis.

[0013] The rotating member may have a positioning portion that determines the position of the rotating member in the front-rear direction, and in a plan view, the positioning portion may sandwich the rotation axis of the rotating member and contact the second member on the rotation axis of the rotating member.

[0014] The third member may be connected to the second member or may be integral therewith.

[0015] The arc may be a plurality of arcs, each of which may have a different radius. In this case, the centers of the plurality of arcs may be substantially aligned.

[0016] The arc may be multiple arcs.

[0017] The multiple arcs may have the same center.

[0018] The multiple arcs may each have the same radius.

[0019] A keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention has any of the support structures described above, with the first member being part of the key and the second member being part of the frame.

[0020] An electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the keyboard device described above. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the quality of the appearance of the keyboard device can be improved by using a simple key support structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sound source device in a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the keyboard assembly in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the keyboard assembly in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the definition of the direction of movement of the key in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the definition of the direction of movement of the key in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rear end portion of the key in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first bearing member in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second bearing member in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a support portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a support part in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a key in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a key in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the rear end portion of the key in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 4 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a state in which a shaft portion is disposed on a first bearing member. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the shaft portion, the first bearing member, and the second bearing member in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 23] 13 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the shaft portion, the first bearing member, and the second bearing member in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a sixth embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a sixth embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 23 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to the seventh embodiment. [Diagram 36]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a support portion in a modified example of the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, parts having the same or similar functions are given the same or similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios of the drawings may differ from the actual ratios, and some components may be omitted from the drawings.

[0024] In this specification, the terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back" that refer to directions of a keyboard device are based on the player when playing. For ease of explanation, directions may be based on the keys, in which case the front end (front side) and rear end (rear side) of the keys correspond to the front and back sides, respectively, when based on the player.

[0025] In this specification, "arc" includes not only arcs in the strict sense, but also approximate arcs that can be considered to be substantially arcs. For example, even if the outer shape of a component is not a perfect arc in the strict sense due to the influence of manufacturing errors, etc., the outer shape of the component can be considered to be an arc if it has a function equivalent to that of a component whose outer shape is an arc. Similarly, the terms "match" or "identical" also include cases where there is a slight difference that does not impair function (i.e., cases where they are approximately matched or approximately identical).

[0026] First Embodiment [Keyboard device configuration] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a keyboard device 1 according to a first embodiment. In this example, the keyboard device 1 is an electronic keyboard device that produces sounds in response to key depressions by a user (performer), such as an electronic piano. The keyboard device 1 may be a keyboard-type controller that outputs control data (e.g., MIDI) for controlling an external sound source device in response to key depressions. In this case, the keyboard device 1 does not need to have a sound source device.

[0027] The keyboard device 1 includes a keyboard assembly 10. The keyboard assembly 10 includes white keys 100W and black keys 100B. A plurality of white keys 100W and black keys 100B are arranged side by side. There are N keys 100, which is 88 in this example. The direction in which the keys are arranged is called the scale direction. In FIG. 1, a first direction (D1) is the scale direction. A second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the keys 100. With respect to the player as the reference point, the first direction is the left-right direction, and the second direction is the front-back direction.

[0028] When the white key 100W and the black key 100B can be described without any particular distinction, they may be referred to as keys 100. In the following description, when a reference number ends with "w," it means that the key corresponds to a white key. When a reference number ends with "b," it means that the key corresponds to a black key.

[0029] A part of the keyboard assembly 10 is present inside the housing 90. When the keyboard device 1 is viewed from above, the part of the keyboard assembly 10 that is covered by the housing 90 is referred to as the non-external portion NV, and the part that is exposed from the housing 90 and visible to the user (the part located closer to the user than the non-external portion NV) is referred to as the external portion PV. In other words, the external portion PV is a part of the key 100, and indicates the area where the user can perform musical operations. Hereinafter, the part of the key 100 that is exposed by the external portion PV may be referred to as the key main body.

[0030] A sound source device 70 and a speaker 80 are arranged inside the housing 90. The sound source device 70 generates a sound waveform signal when the key 100 is pressed. The speaker 80 outputs the sound waveform signal generated by the sound source device 70 to an external space. The keyboard device 1 may also include a slider for controlling the volume, a switch for switching the tone, a display for displaying various information, and the like.

[0031] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sound source device in the first embodiment. The sound source device 70 includes a signal conversion section 710, a sound source section 730, and an output section 750. A sensor 300 is provided corresponding to each key 100, detects the operation of the key, and outputs a signal according to the detected content. In this example, the sensor 300 outputs a signal according to three levels of key depression amount. The key depression speed can be detected according to the interval of this signal.

[0032] The signal conversion unit 710 acquires the output signals of the sensors 300 (sensors 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-88 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 MIDI format signals. Therefore, in response to a key press operation, the signal conversion unit 710 outputs a note-on. At this time, a key number indicating which of the 88 keys 100 has been operated and a velocity corresponding to the key press speed are also output in association with the note-on. Meanwhile, in response to a key release operation, the signal conversion unit 710 outputs a key number and a note-off in association with each other. A signal corresponding to another operation such as a pedal may be input to the signal conversion unit 710 and reflected in the operation signal.

[0033] The sound source unit 730 generates a sound waveform signal based on the operation signal output from the signal conversion unit 710. The output unit 750 outputs the sound waveform signal generated by the sound source unit 730. This sound waveform signal is output to, for example, the speaker 80 or a sound waveform signal output terminal.

[0034] [Keyboard assembly configuration] Fig. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the keyboard assembly 10 in the first embodiment. The keyboard assembly 10 includes a key 100, a support portion 150, a hammer assembly 200, a sensor 300, and a frame 500. Most of the components of the keyboard assembly 10 are made of a resin structure manufactured by injection molding or the like. In Fig. 3, the third direction (D3) is a direction perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2). With the player as the reference, the third direction is the up-down direction. The third direction may also be called the key pressing direction or the stroke direction.

[0035] The frame 500 is fixed to a housing (not shown). A plurality of keys 100 are rotatably supported on the frame 500 to form a keyboard assembly 10. The keys 100 rotate about an axis extending in a first direction, with a rotation fulcrum as the center. The support section 150 is a portion that supports the keys 100 rotatably on the frame 500. The support section 150 is composed of an axis section 110 and a bearing section 120 shown in FIG. 10 to be described later. The specific structure of the support section 150 will be described later.

[0036] The key 100 includes a front-end key guide 102. The front-end key guide 102 is provided at the tip of the white key 100W. The front-end key guide 102 is a plate-like member with a surface facing forward (toward the player). A long and narrow slit (not shown) is provided in the vertical direction at approximately the center of the surface of the front-end key guide 102. The frame 500 includes a front-end frame guide 511. The front-end frame guide 511 is a plate-like member that protrudes forward. When the white key 100W is attached to the frame 500, the front-end frame guide 511 is slidably inserted into the slit of the front-end key guide 102. When a key is pressed, the white key 100W moves up and down while sliding against the front-end frame guide 511 inside the slit of the front-end key guide 102. As a result, as will be described later, the movement of the front end of the key 100 in the scale direction, yawing direction, and rolling direction is restricted.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 3, a guide structure consisting of the front-end key guide 102 and the front-end frame guide 511 is provided at the front end of the white key 100W, but this is not the only example. Such a guide structure may be provided at a portion of the white key 100W that is within a half of the front end (preferably a portion where the width of the white key 100W is wider than the other portions). In addition, a plate-shaped member is used as the front-end frame guide 511, but this is not the only example. The front-end frame guide 511 may be structured to contact the slits of the front-end key guide 102 at two vertical positions. In this case, the slits of the front-end key guide 102 may be two slits arranged vertically. That is, the above-mentioned two vertical positions may be structured to contact the two slits. In addition, although the front-end key guide 102 is a slit, this is not the only example. That is, the shape of the front-end key guide 102 is arbitrary as long as the front-end key guide 102 is structured to contact the front-end frame guide 511 at two vertical positions.

[0038] The hammer assembly 200 is disposed in the space below the key 100 and is rotatably attached to the frame 500. The shaft support portion 220 of the hammer assembly 200 and the pivot shaft 520 of the frame 500 are in slidable contact at least three points. The front end portion 210 of the hammer assembly 200 is in slidable contact with the internal space 116 of the hammer support portion 115 generally in the front-rear direction. This sliding portion (i.e., the portion where the front end portion 210 and the hammer support portion 115 are in contact) is located below the key 100 in the exterior portion PV.

[0039] Hammer assembly 200 has metal weight 230 disposed on the rear side of pivot shaft 520. Normally (when the key is not pressed), weight 230 is in contact with lower stopper 410, and front end 210 of hammer assembly 200 pushes key 100 upward. When the key is pressed, key 100 pushes front end 210 of hammer assembly 200 downward. As a result, weight 230 moves upward and comes into contact with upper stopper 430. Hammer assembly 200 applies a load to a key depression by means of weight portion 230. Lower stopper 410 and upper stopper 430 are made of a cushioning material or the like (nonwoven fabric, elastic body, etc.).

[0040] A sensor 300 is attached to the frame 500 below the hammer support 115 and the front end 210 of the hammer assembly 200. The sensor 300 is composed of an upper electrode section 310 having a structure in which electrodes are attached to a flexible member, and a lower electrode section 320 having a structure in which electrodes are provided on a circuit board. When the upper electrode section 310 of the sensor 300 is crushed by the lower surface side of the front end 210 of the hammer assembly 200 due to key depression, the electrodes of the upper electrode section 310 and the lower electrode section 320 come into contact with each other from the back side (the side closer to the rotation shaft 520 of the hammer assembly 200). This allows the sensor 300 to output a detection signal according to three levels of key depression. As described above, the sensor 300 is provided corresponding to each key 100.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the keyboard assembly 10 in the first embodiment. For ease of explanation, part of the configuration of the frame 500 is omitted in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the support part 150B of the black key 100B is disposed further back than the support part 150W of the white key 100W. This position is related to the position of the fulcrum (center of rotation) of the key 100. By arranging as shown in Fig. 4, the difference in the fulcrum between the white key and the black key of an acoustic piano is reproduced.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positions of the white key 100W and the black key 100B are adjusted so that the touch of a grand piano can be reproduced. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the distance between the pivot shaft 101W of the white key 100W and the pivot shaft 101B of the black key 100B is a and the length of the white key 100W (the distance from the pivot shaft 101W to the front end of the white key 100W) is b, the value of a / b is adjusted to be within the range of 0.061 to 0.075. The value of a / b in a typical grand piano is about 0.068. In this embodiment, the touch of a grand piano is reproduced by keeping the value of a / b in the keyboard assembly 10 within ±10% of the value of a / b in the keyboard assembly of a grand piano. For example, when the length (b) of the white key 100W is 210 mm or more and 250 mm or less, the distance (a) between the pivot shaft 101W of the white key 100W and the pivot shaft 101B of the black key 100B may be 14 mm or more and 17 mm or less.

[0043] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining definitions regarding the directions of movement of the key 100 in the first embodiment. In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the white key 100W is illustrated as an example, but the same definitions are also used for the black key 100B.

[0044] In FIG. 5, as described above, the scale direction S is the direction in which the white keys 100W and the black keys 100B are arranged (the left-right direction as seen by the player). In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the scale direction S. The yawing direction Y is the direction in which the white key 100W rotates around the axis of the third direction when viewed from above. For example, in FIG. 5, if it is assumed that only the rear end (support part 150W) of the white key 100W is fixed, the direction in which the white key 100W bends left and right can be said to be the yawing direction Y.

[0045] In Fig. 6, the rolling direction R is the direction in which the white key 100W rotates around an axis in the longitudinal direction of the white key 100W. In other words, the rolling direction R is the direction of rotation around an axis extending in the second direction. The up-down direction V is the direction in which the white key 100W is pressed (also called the stroke direction). In this embodiment, the third direction corresponds to the up-down direction V.

[0046] As described in the prior art, keys may become deformed due to aging or other reasons. The deformation may be, for example, bending in the yawing direction Y or twisting in the rolling direction R. If such deformation appears in the key on the exterior part PV, it will mar the appearance of the keyboard device. Therefore, a structure is needed to limit the deformation of the key so that the deformation is not visible on the exterior part PV.

[0047] In the keyboard assembly 10 of this embodiment, the key 100 is relatively short, and most of the entire key is visible in the exterior part PV. Therefore, the keyboard assembly 10 of this embodiment is structured to limit deformation of the key 100 at the front and rear ends of the key 100. Specifically, the front end of the key 100 is limited in movement in the scale direction, yawing direction Y, and rolling direction R by the front end key guide 102 and the front end frame guide 511. The rear end of the key 100 is limited in movement in the scale direction S by the support part 150.

[0048] In this embodiment, the front end of the key 100 is restricted from moving in the scale direction S, yawing direction Y, and rolling direction R, while the rear end is allowed to move freely in the yawing direction Y and rolling direction R. That is, in the key 100 of this embodiment, movement in the scale direction S is restricted at the support part 150, while movement in the yawing direction Y and rolling direction R is permitted.

[0049] [Support structure] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the key rear end portion 105 in the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first bearing member 130 in the first embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second bearing member 140 in the first embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the key rear end 105 has a hook-shaped shape as a whole. The part of the key rear end 105 that extends in the second direction is the shaft portion 110. The key 100 rotates when the shaft portion 110 rotates around an axis extending in the first direction. In FIG. 8, the first bearing member 130 has a groove portion 131. The groove portion 131 serves to support the shaft portion 110 as a bearing. The second bearing member 140 shown in FIG. 9 serves to hold the shaft portion 110 in the third direction after the shaft portion 110 is placed inside the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130. As will be described later, the second bearing member 140 has elasticity in the third direction. Therefore, if a force larger than the elastic force received from the second bearing member 140 is applied to the shaft portion 110, it is possible for the shaft portion 110 to move in the third direction within a certain range.

[0051] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the support part 150 in the first embodiment. Specifically, it corresponds to a plan view of an enlarged view of the support part 150B of the black key 100B shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the support part 150 in the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 11 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support part 150 shown in Fig. 10 taken along line AA. Figs. 10 and 11 show the support part 150B of the black key 100B as an example, but the support part 150W of the white key 100W also has a similar structure.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 10, the support portion 150 includes a shaft portion 110 and a bearing portion 120. The bearing portion 120 is composed of a first bearing member 130 and a second bearing member 140. The shaft portion 110 is supported by the bearing portion 120 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in a first direction. In other words, the key 100 rotates around the axis extending in the first direction as a rotation axis. The rotation fulcrum when the key 100 rotates is at the position of the rotation axis on a plane obtained by cutting the shaft portion 110 in the second direction.

[0053] The shaft portion 110 is located at the rear end 105 of the key 100. The shaft portion 110 is a rod-shaped portion extending in the second direction. As shown in Fig. 11, in this embodiment, the cross section of the shaft portion 110 is an approximately ellipse, but the cross section may be a polygon or an approximately circle.

[0054] The first bearing member 130 is a part of the frame 500. The first bearing member 130 of this embodiment has a groove portion 131. As shown in Fig. 11, the shaft portion 110 is disposed inside the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130. The shaft portion 110 contacts the groove portion 131 at contact points 41 and 42. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 110 contacts the first bearing member 130 at the contact points 41 and 42, thereby restricting the movement of the shaft portion 110 in the first direction (scale direction S).

[0055] The second bearing member 140 is a member that serves to sandwich the shaft portion 110 between itself and the first bearing member 130. The second bearing member 140 has a function of pressing the shaft portion 110 against the first bearing member 130. Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion 110 in the third direction (the up-down direction V) is limited by the second bearing member 140.

[0056] In this embodiment, the second bearing member 140 is connected and fixed to the frame 500. Specifically, the second bearing member 140 has a structure in which a main body portion 140a shown in FIG. 9 is held by a holding portion 140b connected to the frame. That is, the main body portion 140a is held by the holding portion 140b in a cantilever structure. The second bearing member 140 contacts the shaft portion 110 at a contact point 43. That is, the shaft portion 110 is supported by the bearing portion 120 by the contact points 41, 42, and 43.

[0057] The second bearing member 140 has elasticity. In this specification, "member A has elasticity" means that when member A and member B have a contact point, member A has a property of being deformable while maintaining the contact point in response to a change in the force applied from member B. In other words, it means that the contact point can move between member A and member B along the direction in which the elastic force of member A acts. Therefore, in the case of the structure shown in FIG. 11, even if the shaft portion 110 moves in the third direction, the contact point 43 is maintained in accordance with the movement of the second bearing member 140 in the third direction. Therefore, although the movement of the shaft portion 110 in the third direction is limited by the elastic force of the second bearing member 140, it is permitted within a certain range.

[0058] The shaft portion 110 has a curved surface 110a that contacts the curved surface 131a of the first bearing member 130 at a contact point 41, a curved surface 110b that contacts the curved surface 131b of the first bearing member 130 at a contact point 42, and a curved surface 110c that contacts the second bearing member 140 at a contact point 43. At this time, as shown in Fig. 11, the outer shape of the shaft portion 110 is an arc shape at the contact points 41, 42, and 43. In other words, the contact points 41, 42, and 43 are points on the arc that is the outer shape of the shaft portion 110.

[0059] 11, when the radius of the arc having tangent point 41 is r1 and the radius of the arc having tangent point 42 is r2, radii r1 and r2 are equal. That is, the lower end of shaft portion 110 is semicircular. The radius of the arc having tangent point 43 is r3. Radius r3 is greater than radii r1 and r2. That is, shaft portion 110 is a member having a longitudinal direction in the third direction in a cross-sectional view.

[0060] 11, the arc having the contact point 41, the arc having the contact point 42, and the arc having the contact point 43 are all arcs having the same center O. Therefore, the shaft portion 110 can rotate around the center O as a rotation fulcrum. In other words, the key 100 can rotate in the rolling direction R, which is the rotation direction around an axis extending in the second direction. In other words, the key 100 has a degree of freedom of movement in the rolling direction R. Thus, in the support portion 150 of this embodiment, the shaft portion 110 rotates while sliding intermittently against the bearing portion 120 at the contact points 41, 42, and 43.

[0061] Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the key 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the key 100 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, 13 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of key 100 taken along line BB passing through contact 42, center O, and contact 43 in the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 12, support part 150 is disposed at key rear end 105 of key 100. However, this is not a limitation, and support part 150 may be disposed at a location other than key rear end 105 of key 100.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, in a cross-sectional view in a plane (D2-D3 plane) perpendicular to the first direction, the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface 110b of the shaft portion 110 is linear. However, this is not limited to this example, and the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface 110b may be curved. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface 110c is curved. In this case, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface 110c is an arc having a radius equal to the length between the contact point 42 and the contact point 43. In addition, the inner wall of the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130 has a curved surface 131b. Therefore, at the contact point 42, the curved surface 110b of the shaft portion 110 and the curved surface 131b in the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130 come into contact with each other. Although not shown in FIG. 13, similar to the contact point 42, at the contact point 41, the curved surface 110a of the shaft portion 110 and the curved surface 131a of the groove portion 131 come into contact with each other.

[0063] 13, when the key is pressed, the key 100 rotates around the axis of the rotation shaft 101 that passes through the contacts 41 and 42. In Fig. 13, the contact 42 is the center of rotation. At this time, at the contact 43 where the shaft 110 and the second bearing member 140 come into contact, the shaft 110 has a curved surface 110c, so when the key 100 rotates, the support part 150 does not interfere with the rotation.

[0064] Fig. 14 is a plan view that shows a schematic configuration of the support section 150 in the first embodiment. Figs. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views that show a schematic configuration of the support section 150 in the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 15 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support section 150 shown in Fig. 14 taken along line CC. Fig. 16 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support section 150 shown in Fig. 14 taken along line DD.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 14, the support portion 150 has a first positioning portion 51 and a second positioning portion 52 that determine the position of the shaft portion 110 in the front-rear direction (second direction). The first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are portions that face the first bearing member 130. The first positioning portion 51 faces the front inclined portion 22a of the first bearing member 130. The second positioning portion 52 faces the rear inclined portion 22b of the first bearing member 130. That is, the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are disposed so as to face each other with the first bearing member 130 therebetween. Here, in FIG. 14, the above-mentioned DD line coincides with the rotation axis of the shaft portion 110 during key pressing operation. That is, the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are located at positions spaced apart from each other, sandwiching the rotation axis of the shaft portion 110 therebetween.

[0066] 15, in a cross-sectional view, the first bearing member 130 has a shape (trapezoidal shape) that tapers toward the tip (upward) in the third direction. In contrast, the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are inclined toward the opposite side to the front inclined portion 22a and the rear inclined portion 22b, respectively. In other words, in a cross-sectional view, the space between the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 has a shape (trapezoidal shape) that tapers toward the downward direction in the third direction, opposite to the first bearing member 130.

[0067] In this embodiment, by disposing the shaft portion 110 in the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130, the lower ends of the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 come into contact with the first bearing member 130 at contact points 45 and 46. Therefore, in a state in which the shaft portion 110 is supported by the bearing portion 120, movement of the shaft portion 110 in the front-rear direction (second direction) is restricted. Note that it is preferable that the lower ends of the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are curved to improve durability.

[0068] In this case, it is desirable to make the position in the third direction of line segment 44 connecting contacts 41 and 42 in Fig. 16 approximately coincident with or as close as possible to the position in the third direction of line segment 47 connecting contacts 45 and 46 in Fig. 15. By making line segment 44 and line segment 47 closer to each other in the third direction, it is possible to suppress changes in the gaps (clearances) between first bearing member 130 and first positioning portion 51 and second positioning portion 52 when a key is pressed.

[0069] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the key rear end portion 105 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the first positioning portion 51 in this embodiment has an angle θ1 greater than 90° with respect to the side 53 substantially parallel to the second direction. That is, the first positioning portion 51 is inclined with respect to the first direction. Similarly, the second positioning portion 52 has an angle θ2 greater than 90° with respect to the side 53 and is inclined with respect to the first direction. However, the example shown in FIG. 17 is only an example, and the angles θ1 and θ2 may be 90° or less. In addition, in FIG. 17, an example in which the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are configured with straight sides is shown, but this is not limited to this example, and the sides may be curved. The shaft portion 110 may have a structure in which the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are each in contact with the first bearing member 130 at at least one point. In other words, as long as the shaft portion 110 and the first bearing member 130 are in contact with each other at two points, the front and rear, it is possible to restrict movement of the shaft portion 110 in the front-rear direction.

[0070] FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a schematic state in which the shaft portion 110 is disposed on the first bearing member 130. As described above, the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are inclined with respect to the first direction. Therefore, between the front inclined portion 22a of the first bearing member 130 and the first positioning portion 51, and between the rear inclined portion 22b and the second positioning portion 52, a gap is generated that becomes wider as it moves away from the groove portion 131. Therefore, the shaft portion 110 is rotatable in the yawing direction Y. That is, the key 100 has a degree of freedom of movement in the yawing direction Y. However, when the shaft portion 110 rotates in the yawing direction Y, the positions of the contact points (contact points 45 and 46) where the shaft portion 110 and the first bearing member 130 come into contact with each other change.

[0071] As described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11, the shaft portion 110 is pressed against the first bearing member 130 by the second bearing member 140. Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion 110 in the third direction (the direction of coming off from the first bearing member 130) is restricted by the second bearing member 140. However, if a force larger than the elastic force of the second bearing member 140 acts on the shaft portion 110, the shaft portion 110 can move upward within a certain range. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, in the support portion 150 of this embodiment, the shaft portion 110 is disposed in the groove portion 131 of the first bearing member 130 and is in contact with the contact point 41, the contact point 42, the contact point 45, and the contact point 46. Therefore, when the shaft portion 110 moves in the yawing direction Y, the shaft portion 110 moves upward against the elastic force of the second bearing member 140 while the positions of the contact points change. That is, in this embodiment, since the second bearing member 140 has elasticity, it is possible to provide the shaft portion 110 with a degree of freedom of movement in the yawing direction Y.

[0072] As described above, in the support structure (support section 150) for the key 100 in the keyboard device 1 of this embodiment, the shaft section 110, which is part of the key 100, has freedom of movement in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y. Therefore, the support structure of this embodiment absorbs deformation of the key caused by changes over time, etc., and the simple support structure improves the quality of the appearance of the keyboard device 1. Furthermore, rather than a structure in which the key 100 and the frame 500 are connected by a separate member, the key 100 can be supported by a simple structure in which a part of the key 100 (the rear end in this embodiment) is placed on a part of the frame 500 (the bearing section 120).

[0073] (Variation 1) In the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which the first bearing member 130 is configured as a part of the frame 500, and the second bearing member 140 is connected to the frame 500. However, this is not limiting, and the first bearing member 130 and the second bearing member 140 may be integrated. That is, the first bearing member 130 and the second bearing member 140 may be formed as an integrated structure using the same material. By integrating the first bearing member 130 and the second bearing member 140, the number of parts can be further reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0074] (Variation 2) In this embodiment, an example in which a rod-shaped member having a cross-sectional shape of a substantially ellipse is used as the shaft portion 110 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the shaft portion 110 may be a spherical member. That is, the shaft portion 110 may have a structure in which a spherical portion is provided in a part of the key 100. In this case, the first bearing member 130 may be, for example, a member having a polygonal pyramid-shaped opening. By making the shape of the opening functioning as a bearing a polygonal pyramid (for example, a triangular pyramid, a square pyramid, etc.), the shaft portion 110 contacts the first bearing member 130 at multiple points (for example, three points for a triangular pyramid, four points for a square pyramid). Then, the second bearing member 140 may be used to press the shaft portion 110 against the first bearing member 130.

[0075] (Variation 3) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, an example in which the second bearing member 140 has a cantilever structure is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the second bearing member 140 may have a double-support structure. The second bearing member 140 may be a member having a mesh-like (net-like) main body. Furthermore, the second bearing member 140 does not need to be a member having elasticity itself, and may function as a member having elasticity in combination with an elastic body such as a spring or rubber. In this way, the second bearing member 140 may be any member that can apply elastic force to the shaft portion 110.

[0076] (Variation 4) In the present embodiment, an example in which the second bearing member 140 is made elastic has been described. However, this is not limiting, and the shaft portion 110 or the first bearing member 130 may have elasticity. In addition, the member having elasticity may be at least one of the shaft portion 110, the first bearing member 130, and the second bearing member 140, and a plurality of members may have elasticity. For example, both the first bearing member 130 and the second bearing member 140 may have elasticity.

[0077] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the positional relationship between the shaft portion and the bearing portion (first bearing member and second bearing member) in the support structure (support portion) is different from that in the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0078] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-1 in the second embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 19 is an example in which the bearing part is provided on the key and the shaft part is provided on the frame, which is the opposite of the first embodiment. The support part 150-1 includes a shaft part 110-1, a first bearing member 130-1, and a second bearing member 140-1. The shaft part 110-1 is a part of the frame 500. The first bearing member 130-1 and the second bearing member 140-1 are both parts of the key 100. Although not shown, the first bearing member 130-1 and the second bearing member 140-1 are an integral member. However, this is not limited to this example, and the first bearing member 130-1 and the second bearing member 140-1 may be separate members. The shaft portion 110-1 contacts the first bearing member 130-1 or the second bearing member 140-1 at a contact point 41, a contact point 42, and a contact point 43, respectively.

[0079] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic configuration of a support portion 150-2 in the second embodiment. 20 is an example in which the shape of the shaft portion is different from that of the first embodiment. The configurations of the first bearing member 130 and the second bearing member 140 are similar to those of the first embodiment. The support portion 150-2 includes a shaft portion 110-2, the first bearing member 130, and the second bearing member 140. The shaft portion 110-2 is a part of the key 100. As shown in FIG. 20, the shaft portion 110-2 includes three portions 110-2a to 110-2c.

[0080] The shaft portion 110-2 contacts the first bearing member 130 or the second bearing member 140 at contact points 41, 42, and 43, respectively. Specifically, the shaft portion 110-2 contacts the first bearing member 130 or the second bearing member 140 at each of portions 110-2a to 110-2c. Each of portions 110-2a to 110-2c has an outer shape that is an arc in a cross-sectional view. That is, each of portions 110-2a to 110-2c has a curved surface.

[0081] In this manner, it is sufficient that the outer shape of the shaft portion 110-2 is an arc shape at the portion in contact with the first bearing member 130 or the second bearing member 140. In other words, the shape of the shaft portion 110-2 other than the portion in contact with the first bearing member 130 or the second bearing member 140 is arbitrary.

[0082] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of the support 150-3 in the second embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 21 is an example in which the shape of the shaft and the first bearing member is different from that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the second bearing member 140 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The support 150-3 includes a shaft 110-3, a first bearing member 130-3, and a second bearing member 140. The shaft 110-3 is a part of the key 100. As shown in FIG. 20, the shaft 110-3 has a first side 110-3a and a second side 110-3b that are linear in cross-sectional view. The first bearing member 130-3 has a protruding portion 130-3a that has a semicircular outer shape in cross-sectional view. That is, the protruding portion 130-3a has a curved surface at a portion that contacts the shaft 110-3.

[0083] The protruding portion 130-3a of the first bearing member 130-3 contacts the first side 110-3a and the second side 110-3b of the shaft portion 110-3 at contact points 41 and 42, respectively. In this case, the shaft portion 110-3 rotates by sliding the first side 110-3a and the second side 110-3b on the protruding portion 130-3a.

[0084] As described above, the positional relationship and shape of the shaft and the bearing (particularly the first bearing member) can be in various forms. In any case, in a cross-sectional view, the key support structure of the keyboard device 1 of this embodiment has the shaft and the bearing contacting each other at at least three points. At each contact point, the outer shape of the member that slides intermittently is an arc.

[0085] 19 to 21 satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0086] Fig. 22 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the contacts 41, 42, and 43 of the shaft portion 161, the first bearing member 162, and the second bearing member 163 in the second embodiment. The support portion 160 shown in Fig. 22 corresponds to the configuration of the support portion 150 shown in Fig. 11 of the first embodiment, the support portion 150-1 shown in Fig. 19, and the support portion 150-2 shown in Fig. 20 of the second embodiment. However, for ease of explanation, the example shown in Fig. 22 shows an example in which the shaft portion 161 is circular in cross section.

[0087] At contact points 41 and 42, the shaft portion 161 comes into contact with the first bearing member 162. At contact point 43, the shaft portion 161 comes into contact with the second bearing member 163. That is, in a cross-sectional view, contact points 41, 42, and 43 are points on an arc that is the outer shape of the shaft portion 161. Here, a normal vector that starts at contact point 41 and points toward the shaft portion 161 (i.e., a normal vector that starts at contact point 41 and points toward the rotation center O of the shaft portion 161) is defined as a first normal vector 41a. Similarly, normal vectors that start at contact points 42 and 43 and points toward the shaft portion 161 are defined as second normal vectors 41a and 41b. 22, when the start points of the first normal vector 41a, the second normal vector 42a, and the third normal vector 43a are moved to one point, the angles θ1 to θ3 between adjacent normal vectors are less than 180°.

[0088] Since the shaft portion 161 is supported by a bearing portion constituted by the first bearing member 162 and the second bearing member 163, the forces that the shaft portion 161 receives from the first bearing member 162 or the second bearing member 163 are balanced at the contact points 41, 42, and 43. In other words, in the support portion 160 shown in Fig. 22, the resultant vector of the forces applied to the shaft portion 161 from the first bearing member 162 and the second bearing member 163 at the contact points 41, 42, and 43 is zero.

[0089] Fig. 23 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the contacts 41, 42, and 43 of the shaft portion 166, the first bearing member 167, and the second bearing member 168 in the second embodiment. The support portion 165 shown in Fig. 23 corresponds to the configuration of the support portion 150-3 shown in Fig. 21 of the second embodiment. However, for ease of explanation, the example shown in Fig. 23 shows an example in which the first bearing member 167 is circular in cross-sectional view.

[0090] At the contact points 41 and 42, the shaft portion 166 and the first bearing member 167 come into contact. At the contact point 43, the shaft portion 166 and the second bearing member 168 come into contact. That is, in a cross-sectional view, the contact points 41 and 42 are points on an arc that is the outer shape of the first bearing member 167. In contrast, the contact point 43 is a point on an arc that is the outer shape of the shaft portion 166. In this case, also in the example shown in FIG. 23, when the starting points of the first normal vector 41a, the second normal vector 42a, and the third normal vector 43a are moved to one point, the angles θ1 to θ3 formed by the adjacent normal vectors are less than 180°.

[0091] In the example shown in Fig. 23, shaft portion 166 is supported by a bearing portion constituted by first bearing member 167 and second bearing member 168. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 23 as well, similarly to the example shown in Fig. 22, the resultant vector of the forces applied to shaft portion 166 from first bearing member 167 and second bearing member 168 at contact points 41, 42, and 43 is zero.

[0092] As described above, in the support structure (support portions 150-1 to 150-3) of this embodiment, when the bearing portions (i.e., the first bearing member and the second bearing member) contact the shaft portion at three contact points in a cross-sectional view, each contact point is on an arc that is the outer shape of at least one of the shaft portion, the first bearing member, and the second bearing member. When each contact point is used as a starting point and each starting point of each normal vector directed from the contact point to the shaft portion is moved to one point, the angle between adjacent normal vectors is less than 180°. This relationship is similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0093] According to the support structure of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved with a simple support structure.

[0094] <Third embodiment> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the support structure (support portion) of the first embodiment is rotated in a first direction, a second direction, or a third direction. In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0095] Fig. 24 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-4 in the third embodiment. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-4 in the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 25 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the key 100-1 and the support part 150-4 shown in Fig. 24 taken along line EE.

[0096] The example shown in Figures 24 and 25 corresponds to a structure in which the support part 150 shown in Figures 12 and 13 of the first embodiment is rotated approximately 90 degrees around an axis in the first direction. The key rear end part 105-4 of the key 100-1 is bent downward (in the third direction) to form the shaft part 110-4. As shown in Figure 25, the shaft part 110-4 is supported between the first bearing member 130-4 and the second bearing member 140-4 in the second direction. In the example shown in Figures 24 and 25, the shaft part 110-4 rotates around an axis extending in the first direction and has a degree of freedom of movement in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y.

[0097] Fig. 26 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-5 in the third embodiment. Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-5 in the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 27 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the key 100-2 and the support part 150-5 shown in Fig. 25 taken along line FF.

[0098] The example shown in Figs. 26 and 27 corresponds to a structure in which the support portion 150 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of the first embodiment is rotated approximately 90° around an axis in the second direction. The shaft portion 110-5 is supported between the first bearing member 130-5 and the second bearing member 140-5 in the first direction. The movement of the shaft portion 110-5 in the second direction is restricted by sandwiching the first bearing member 130-5 between the first positioning portion 51-1 and the second positioning portion 52-1. The inclination angles of the first positioning portion 51-1 and the second positioning portion 52-1 are determined within a range that does not interfere with the rotation of the key 100-2 by the key pressing operation. In the example shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the shaft portion 110-5 rotates around an axis extending in the first direction and has a degree of freedom of movement in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y.

[0099] Fig. 28 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-6 in the third embodiment. Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the support part 150-6 in the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 29 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the key 100-3 and the support part 150-6 shown in Fig. 28 taken along line GG.

[0100] The example shown in Figs. 28 and 29 corresponds to a structure in which the support portion 150 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of the first embodiment is rotated approximately 90° around an axis in the third direction. The shaft portion 110-6 is supported between the first bearing member 130-6 and the second bearing member 140-6 in the third direction. The movement of the shaft portion 110-6 in the first direction is restricted by sandwiching the first bearing member 130-6 between the first positioning portion 51-2 and the second positioning portion 52-2. In the example shown in Figs. 28 and 29, the shaft portion 110-6 rotates around an axis extending in the first direction and has a degree of freedom of movement in the rolling direction R and the yawing direction Y.

[0101] As described above, even if the support structure (support portion) of the keys of the keyboard device 1 is rotated in the first, second, or third direction, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved with a simple support structure, as in the first embodiment. Note that, although the example in this embodiment shows the support structure rotated approximately 90°, the rotation angle is not limited to 90°.

[0102] According to the support structure of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved with a simple support structure.

[0103] <Fourth embodiment> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the shaft portion, rather than the bearing portion, serves as the elastic support structure (support portion). In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0104] Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of a support 150-7 in the fourth embodiment. Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of a support 150-7 in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 31 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support 150-7 shown in Fig. 30 taken along line II.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the shaft portion 110-7 of this embodiment includes a main body portion 110-7a, an elastic portion 110-7b, and a connecting portion 110-7c. The shaft portion 110-7 is disposed inside an opening 130-7a provided in the first bearing member 130-7. The main body portion 110-7a contacts the lower inner wall of the opening 130-7a, and the elastic portion 110-7b contacts the upper inner wall of the opening 130-7a. At this time, the elastic force of the elastic portion 110-7b pushes the first bearing member 130-7 upward, so that a downward force acts on the main body portion 110-7a. As a result, the main body portion 110-7a is pressed against the lower inner wall of the opening 130-7a.

[0106] The main body 110-7a has curved surfaces 60a and 60b whose outer shape is a circular arc. As shown in Fig. 30, the curved surfaces 60a and 60b of the main body 110-7a contact the first bearing member 130-7 at contact points 41 and 42. The structure at the contact points 41 and 42 where the shaft 110-7 and the first bearing member 130-7 contact each other is similar to that of the first embodiment (see, for example, Fig. 11).

[0107] The elastic portion 110-7b has a curved surface 60c whose outer shape is an arc. As shown in Fig. 30 and Fig. 31, the curved surface 60c of the elastic portion 110-7b contacts the first bearing member 130-7 at a contact point 43. The structure of the third contact point where the elastic portion 110-7b and the first bearing member 130-7 contact each other is similar to the structure of the portion where the shaft portion 110 and the second bearing member 140 contact each other in the first embodiment (see Figs. 11 and 13, for example).

[0108] According to the support structure of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved by a simple support structure. Furthermore, since the shaft portion 110-7 has the elastic portion 110-7b, the number of parts can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the main body portion 110-7a, the elastic portion 110-7b, and the connecting portion 110-7c are integrated into one structure. However, this is not the only example, and the main body portion 110-7a and the elastic portion 110-7b can be separate members and connected by the connecting portion 110-7c.

[0109] <Fifth embodiment> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the shape of the shaft portion has a structure different from that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0110] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of the support 150-8 in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 32 corresponds to the cross-sectional view described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 11. In the support 150-8, the shaft 110-8 has a curved surface 110-8a that contacts the first bearing member 130 at the contact point 41, a curved surface 110-8b that contacts the first bearing member 130 at the contact point 42, and a curved surface 110-8c that contacts the second bearing member 140 at the contact point 43. At the contact points 41, 42, and 43, the outer shape of the shaft 110-8 is an arc shape. That is, the contact points 41, 42, and 43 are points on the arc that is the outer shape of the shaft 110.

[0111] In this embodiment, the radius r1 of the arc having the tangent point 41, the radius r2 of the arc having the tangent point 42, and the radius r3 of the arc having the third tangent point are different from each other. However, the arc having the tangent point 41, the arc having the tangent point 42, and the arc having the tangent point 43 are all the same. Since the axis 110-8 is a circular arc having a center O, the axis 110-8 can rotate around the center O. In other words, the axis 110-8 has a degree of freedom of movement in the rolling direction R.

[0112] According to the support structure of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved with a simple support structure.

[0113] Sixth Embodiment In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the configuration of the positioning part that determines the position of the shaft in the front-rear direction is different from that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0114] FIG. 33 is a plan view that shows a schematic configuration of a support 150-9 in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 33 corresponds to the plan view described with reference to FIG. 14 in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the first positioning portion 51 and the second positioning portion 52 are arranged to face each other across the rotation axis of the shaft portion 110. In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 33, the first positioning portion 51-3 and the second positioning portion 52-3 are provided at different positions in the first direction. That is, in the support 150-9, the first positioning portion 51-3 and the second positioning portion 52-3 do not overlap in the second direction.

[0115] In the plan view shown in Fig. 33, there is a gap between the first positioning portion 51-3 and the front inclined portion 22a, but in reality, as described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 15, the first positioning portion 51-3 and the front inclined portion 22a are in contact with each other. Therefore, the first positioning portion 51-3 can limit the movement of the shaft portion 110-9 in the rear direction. Similarly, since the second positioning portion 52-3 and the rear inclined portion 22b are in contact with each other, the second positioning portion 52-3 can also limit the movement of the shaft portion 110-9 in the front direction.

[0116] FIG. 34 is a plan view that shows a schematic configuration of the support part 150-10 in the sixth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 34, the first positioning part 51-4 of the shaft part 110-10 and the front side inclined part 22a-1 of the first bearing member 130-10 contact each other on the axis of the rotating shaft 101 (or at a position close to the axis). In the plan view shown in FIG. 34, there is a gap between the first positioning part 51-4 and the front side inclined part 22a-1, but in reality, as described above, the first positioning part 51-4 and the front side inclined part 22a-1 contact each other. Similarly, the second positioning part 52-4 also contacts the rear side inclined part 22b-1 on the axis of the rotating shaft 101 (or at a position close to the axis). Therefore, the first positioning part 51-4 can limit the movement of the shaft part 110-10 in the rear direction. Similarly, since the second positioning portion 52-4 and the rear inclined portion 22b-1 are in contact with each other, the second positioning portion 52-4 can also limit the movement of the shaft portion 110-10 in the forward direction.

[0117] In the example shown in FIG. 34, the shaft portion 110-10 and the first bearing member 130-10 come into contact on (or at a position close to) the axis of the rotating shaft 101. In this case, even if the shaft portion 110-10 rotates around the rotating shaft 101, the front-to-rear positional relationship at the contact point between the shaft portion 110-10 and the first bearing member 130-10 does not change. In other words, even if the shaft portion 110-10 rotates, no gap is generated between the shaft portion 110-10 and the first bearing member 130-10. Therefore, according to the structure shown in FIG. 34, the movement of the shaft portion 110-10 in the front-to-rear direction can be restricted with higher accuracy.

[0118] 34, the first positioning portion 51-4 and the second positioning portion 52-4 are also provided at different positions in the first direction. That is, in the support portion 150-10, the first positioning portion 51-4 and the second positioning portion 52-4 do not overlap with each other in the second direction.

[0119] According to the support structure of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the keyboard device can be mounted with a simple support structure. This can improve the appearance quality of device 1.

[0120] Seventh embodiment In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the configuration of the positioning part that determines the position of the shaft in the front-rear direction is different from that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the differences from the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment will be focused on. The same reference numerals will be used for the same structures as the keyboard device 1 of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0121] Fig. 35 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the support 150-11 in the seventh embodiment. Figs. 36 and 37 are cross-sectional views showing a schematic configuration of the support 150-11 in the seventh embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 36 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support 150-11 shown in Fig. 35 taken along line JJ. Fig. 37 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the support 150-11 shown in Fig. 35 taken along line KK.

[0122] As shown in Figs. 35 to 37, the shaft portion 110-11 has a protruding portion 65 protruding in the third direction. The first bearing member 130-11 has a groove portion 131-11. As shown in Fig. 36, when the shaft portion 110-11 and the first bearing member 130-11 are assembled, the protruding portion 65 is inserted into the groove portion 131-11. At this time, the first surface 23a and the second surface 23b of the inner wall of the groove portion 131-11, which are substantially perpendicular to the second direction, face the first surface 65a and the second surface 65b of the protruding portion 65, which are substantially perpendicular to the second direction, respectively. Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion 110-11 in the front-rear direction is restricted.

[0123] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of the support portion 150-12 in the seventh embodiment. Specifically, it corresponds to a modified example of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 36. As shown in FIG. 38, the shaft portion 110-12 has a protruding portion 65-1 that protrudes in the third direction. In the example shown in FIG. 38, the tip of the protruding portion 65-1 is semicircular. Also, the first bearing member 130-12 has a groove portion 131-12 that is substantially triangular in cross-sectional view. When the shaft portion 110-12 and the first bearing member 130-12 are combined, the protruding portion 65-1 is inserted into the groove portion 131-12. At this time, in cross-sectional view, the tip of the protruding portion 65-1 contacts the inner wall of the groove portion 131-12 at the contact points 48 and 49. Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion 110-12 in the front-rear direction is restricted.

[0124] According to the support structure of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the appearance quality of the keyboard device 1 can be improved with a simple support structure.

[0125] Eighth embodiment The support structure described in the first to seventh embodiments is an example of application as a support structure for the keys of a keyboard device. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can also be applied as a support structure for other rotating members in a keyboard device besides the keys. For example, the support structure can be applied as a support structure for the hammer of a keyboard device.

[0126] Based on the configurations described above as the embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art may add, remove, or modify components, or add, omit, or modify processes, as appropriate, within the scope of the present invention, as long as they comply with the gist of the present invention. The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate, as long as there are no mutual contradictions. Technical matters common to each embodiment are included in each embodiment even if not explicitly stated.

[0127] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the above-mentioned embodiments or modified aspects, those which are clear from the description in this specification or which can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1...keyboard device, 10...keyboard assembly, 22a...front inclined portion, 22b...rear inclined portion, 23a...first surface, 23b...second surface, 41...contact point, 41a...first normal vector, 42...contact point, 42a...second normal vector, 43...contact point, 43a...third normal vector, 44...line segment, 45...contact point, 46...contact point, 47...line segment, 48...contact point, 49...contact point, 51...first positioning portion, 52...second positioning portion, 53...side, 60a, 60b, 6 0c...curved surface, 65...protruding portion, 65a...first surface, 65b...second surface, 70...sound source device, 80...speaker, 90...casing, 100...key, 100B...black key, 100W...white key, 101...rotating shaft, 102...front end key guide, 105...rear end of key, 110...shaft portion, 110-2a to 110-2c...portion, 110-3a...first side, 110-3b...second side, 110-7a...main body portion, 110-7b...elastic portion, 110-7c...connecting portion, 11 0-8a to 110-8c...curved surfaces, 110a to 110c...curved surfaces, 115...hammer support portion, 120...bearing portion, 116...internal space, 130...first bearing member, 130-3a...projection portion, 130-7a...opening portion, 131...groove portion, 131a, 131b...curved surfaces, 140...second bearing member, 140a...main body portion, 140b...holding portion, 150...support portion, 160...support portion, 161...shaft portion, 162...first bearing member, 163...second shaft Receiving member, 165...support portion, 166...shaft portion, 167...first bearing member, 168...second bearing member, 200...hammer assembly, 210...front end portion, 220...shaft support portion, 230...weight portion, 300...sensor, 310...upper electrode portion, 320...lower electrode portion, 410...lower stopper, 430...upper stopper, 500...frame, 511...front end frame guide, 520...rotating shaft, 710...signal conversion portion, 730...sound source portion, 750...output portion

Claims

1. A first member; a second member having a first contact point and a second contact point with respect to the first member in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to a direction substantially perpendicular to a scale direction; a third member having a third contact point with respect to the first member in the cross-sectional view; Equipped with the first member is supported by the first contact, the second contact, and the third contact that are formed between the second member and the third member, The first member is a shaft portion at a rear end of the key, and has a degree of freedom of movement in a yawing direction that involves a change in a position of contact with the second member, The second member is a first bearing portion.

2. A first member; a second member that contacts the first member at a first contact point and a second contact point in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to a direction substantially perpendicular to a scale direction; a third member that contacts the first member at a third contact point in the cross-sectional view; Equipped with In the cross-sectional view, at least one of the members on the side where the first contact, the second contact, and the third contact intermittently slide has a shape of an arc; when the start points of a first normal vector directed toward the first member from the first tangent point, and a second normal vector directed toward the first member from the second tangent point and a third normal vector directed toward the first member from each of the second tangent point and the third tangent point are moved to one point, an angle between adjacent normal vectors is less than 180 degrees, The first member is a shaft portion at a rear end of the key, and has a degree of freedom of movement in a yawing direction that involves a change in a position of contact with the second member, The second member is a first bearing portion.

3. The support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third member is a second bearing portion.

4. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member, the second member, and the third member is elastic.

5. The support structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first member is a pivotable member.

6. The rotating member has a positioning portion that determines a position of the rotating member in a front-rear direction, The support structure according to claim 5 , wherein, in a plan view, the positioning portions are positioned on either side of the rotation axis of the rotating member and spaced apart from each other from the rotation axis.

7. The rotating member has a positioning portion that determines a position of the rotating member in a front-rear direction, The support structure according to claim 5 , wherein in a plan view, the positioning portion sandwiches the rotation shaft of the rotating member and contacts the second member on the rotation shaft of the rotating member.

8. 8. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the third member is connected to or integral with the second member.

9. The support structure of claim 2 , wherein the arc is a plurality of arcs.

10. The support structure of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of circular arcs are concentric.

11. The support structure of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of circular arcs each have the same radius.

12. A support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A keyboard device, wherein the first bearing portion is a part of a frame.

13. An electronic musical instrument comprising the keyboard device according to claim 12.

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