Keyboard device of a keyboard instrument

Abstract

To provide a keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument capable of adjusting the touch weight at the time of key depression and capable of obtaining the key action similar to the keyboard of the grand piano by setting a rotation angle of a hammer rotating in conjunction with key depression to be different according to types of the key.SOLUTION: A keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument includes: a keyboard chassis 4; a plurality of keys 2 arranged on the upper part of the keyboard chassis 4; and a plurality of hammers 31 provided in correspondence with the plurality of keys 2, respectively, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis 4 via hammer spindles 18a under the keys 2, and rotate in conjunction with the depressed keys 2. A predetermined first hammer 31 of the plurality of hammers 31 corresponding to a predetermined first key 2 of the plurality of keys 2 and a predetermined second hammer 31 of the plurality of hammers 31 corresponding to a predetermined second key 2 of the plurality of keys 2 are set so as to be different from each other in a rotation angle accompanying the key depression.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device for a keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano, which is provided with hammers that rotate in conjunction with key presses.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of keyboard device, for example, the keyboard device of Patent Document 1 already filed by the applicant is known. This keyboard device includes a plurality of keys each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a plurality of link mechanisms that support these keys from below and have weights (hammers) for imparting a touch weight (the weight felt by the fingertip when pressing the key). Each link mechanism has a front-side connecting link bar that extends in the front-rear direction by a predetermined length and has a front end portion rotatably connected to the front portion of the key, a rear-side connecting link bar that has a rear end portion rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the key, and the weight attached so as to extend rearward from the rear end portion of the front-side connecting link bar. Each of the above connecting link bars is rotatably supported via a support pin provided near the center in the length direction, and the rear end portion of the front-side connecting link bar and the front end portion of the rear-side connecting link bar are rotatably and slidably connected to each other. The weight is composed of an arm that extends horizontally and rearward by a predetermined length from the rear portion of the front-side connecting link bar, and a weight body fixed to the rear end portion of this arm.

[0003] In the keyboard device configured as described above, when the front end of the key is pushed down, each connecting link bar of the link mechanism rotates in a predetermined direction around the support pin, and the arm of the horizontal weight inclines rearward and upward. In this case, since the weight of the weight acts on the rear part of the front connecting link bar, the key is strongly supported from below by the link mechanism. As a result, when the key is pushed down, the touch weight as a reaction force to the push-down becomes large. When the front end of the key is pushed down to the lowest position, the rear end of the key is positioned downward by a distance of about 1 / 2 of the front end. As a result, the key operates so as to rotate around a virtual fulcrum located rearward by approximately the same length as its own length. Consequently, while the length of the key is configured to be shorter than that of an acoustic grand piano, a key operation similar to that of the grand piano keyboard can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional keyboard device described above, the operation of the weight accompanying key pressing is constant, and therefore, the touch weight of all keys becomes constant. Usually, on the keyboard of an acoustic grand piano, the touch weight of the keys in the low range is heavy, and the touch weight of the keys in the high range is light. However, when the above keyboard device is applied to an electronic piano, the touch weight of all keys of the electronic piano becomes the same, and a keyboard device having the same touch weight as the grand piano keyboard cannot be obtained.

[0006] In addition, Patent Document 1 mentioned above only describes a link mechanism for supporting white keys, and it is difficult to directly apply this link mechanism to black keys. Of course, it is possible to create a link mechanism corresponding to black keys, but when creating different link mechanisms for white keys and black keys, the manufacturing cost will increase accordingly. Further, usually, in the keyboard of an acoustic grand piano, the pivot point of rotation of the black keys is located behind that of the white keys. In the keyboard device applying the above link mechanism, when the positions of the virtual pivot points of the white keys and the black keys are the same, it may not be possible to obtain the same key operation as that of a grand piano. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the above keyboard device.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and by setting the rotation angle of a hammer that rotates in conjunction with key pressing to be different according to the type of key, it is possible to adjust the touch weight during key pressing and to provide a keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument capable of obtaining the same key operation as that of a grand piano keyboard.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a keyboard chassis, a plurality of keys each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the upper part of the keyboard chassis, and a plurality of members each extending in the front-rear direction and provided corresponding to the plurality of keys respectively. They are rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via hammer support shafts below the keys and arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a plurality of hammers that rotate in conjunction with the pressed keys. Among the plurality of keys, a predetermined first key corresponds to a predetermined first hammer among the plurality of hammers, and among the plurality of keys, a predetermined second key corresponds to a predetermined second hammer among the plurality of hammers, and the rotation angles associated with key pressing are set to be different from each other. The key and the hammer corresponding to the key each include a key-side engaging portion and a hammer-side engaging portion that engage with each other. One of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging recess extending in the front-rear direction, and the other of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging shaft extending in the left-right direction and rotatably and slidably engaging with the engaging recess. In the key-released state, the inclination of the extending direction in the engaging recess of the first key or hammer and the inclination of the extending direction in the engaging recess of the second key or hammer are set to be different from each other. and is characterized by this.

[0009] According to this configuration, a predetermined first hammer corresponding to a predetermined first key among a plurality of keys and a predetermined second hammer corresponding to a predetermined second key among the plurality of keys are set such that the rotation angles associated with key pressing are different from each other. For example, when the rotation angle of the first hammer associated with key pressing is set to be larger than that of the second hammer, the touch weight of the first key becomes heavier than that of the second key. Therefore, in the above case, by applying the first key and hammer to the keys and hammers in the low pitch range and the second key and hammer to the keys and hammers in the high pitch range, the touch weight of the keys in the low pitch range can be made heavier, and the touch weight of the keys in the high pitch range can be made lighter.

[0010] Also, in a keyboard device in which each key rotates about a virtual fulcrum located behind the rear end thereof, by setting the rotation angle of the hammer associated with key pressing to be large, the position of the virtual fulcrum of the corresponding key can be made more rearward, that is, the length from the rear end of the key to the virtual fulcrum (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "virtual fulcrum length") can be made longer. For example, when the rotation angle of the first hammer associated with key pressing is set to be larger than that of the second hammer, the virtual fulcrum length of the first key can be made longer than that of the second key. Therefore, in the above case, by applying the first key and hammer to the black key and its hammer and the second key and its hammer to the white key and its hammer, the virtual fulcrum length of the black key can be made longer than that of the white key.

[0011] As described above, according to the keyboard device of the present invention, by setting the rotation angle of the hammer that rotates in conjunction with key pressing to be different according to the type of key, the touch weight and virtual fulcrum length at the time of key pressing can be adjusted according to the type of key, and as a result, a key operation similar to that of a grand piano can be obtained.

[0013] The above According to the configuration, the key and the corresponding hammer each have a key-side engaging portion and a hammer-side engaging portion that engage with each other. Further, one of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging recess that extends in the front-rear direction, and the other of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging shaft that engages with the engaging recess. And the inclination of the extending direction of the engaging recess of the first key or hammer is set to be different from that of the engaging recess of the second key or hammer. As will be described later, by setting the inclination of the extending direction of the engaging recess to be different according to the type of key, the rotation angle of the hammer that rotates in conjunction with the key pressing can be easily adjusted for each type of key.

[0014] Claim 2 The invention according to claim to 1 In the keyboard device of a keyboard instrument described, each extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in a state of being arranged side by side in the left-right direction corresponding to a plurality of keys, and is rotatably supported between the key and the hammer via an arm support shaft on a keyboard chassis, and the front end portion is rotatably and slidably connected to a predetermined portion of the hammer, and the rear end portion is rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the key, and further includes a plurality of connecting arms that rotate in conjunction with the key being pressed.

[0015] According to this configuration, the connecting arm that extends in the front-rear direction is rotatably connected to the keyboard chassis via an arm support shaft. Further, the front end portion of the connecting arm is rotatably and slidably connected to a predetermined portion of the hammer, and the rear end portion of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the key. Such a connecting arm is provided between the key and the hammer, and by rotating in conjunction with the key pressing, a keyboard device provided with a key that rotates around a virtual fulcrum can be easily obtained.

[0016] Claim 3 The invention according to A keyboard chassis, a plurality of keys each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the upper part of the keyboard chassis, and a plurality of keys each extending in the front-rear direction and provided corresponding to the plurality of keys respectively, and rotatably supported by the keyboard chassis via a hammer support shaft below the keys and arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a plurality of hammers that rotate in conjunction with the pressed keys. Among the plurality of keys, a predetermined first key corresponds to a predetermined first hammer among the plurality of hammers, and among the plurality of keys, a predetermined second key corresponds to a predetermined second hammer among the plurality of hammers, and the rotation angles accompanying key pressing are set to be different from each other. Each extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in a side-by-side state in the left-right direction corresponding to a plurality of keys respectively. It is rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via an arm support shaft between the key and the hammer, and the front end is rotatably and slidably connected to a predetermined part of the hammer, and the rear end is rotatably connected to the rear end of the key. A plurality of connecting arms that rotate in conjunction with the pressed key are further provided. A first arm support shaft that corresponds to the first key and supports a predetermined first connecting arm among the plurality of connecting arms, and a second key that corresponds to the second key and supports a predetermined second connecting arm among the plurality of connecting arms. A second arm support shaft and is provided in a state where they are displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, the above-mentioned Claim 2 is provided with a plurality of connecting arms similar to those described above, a first arm support shaft that supports a first connecting arm corresponding to the first key, and a second arm support shaft that supports a second connecting arm corresponding to the second key. and are provided in a state where they are displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction. As a result, the rotation angles of the first and second connecting arms that rotate in conjunction with the key press are different. Accordingly, the rotation angles of the first hammer connected to the first connecting arm and the second hammer connected to the second connecting arm accompanying the key press are also different. In this way, in a keyboard device provided with keys that rotate around a virtual fulcrum, by providing the first and second arm support shafts at different positions from each other, the rotation angle of the hammer that rotates in conjunction with the key press can be easily adjusted for each type of key.

[0018] Claim 4 The invention according to Claim 3 In the keyboard device of the keyboard musical instrument described in and a first hammer support shaft that supports a first hammer and a second hammer support shaft that supports a second hammer are provided in a state where they are displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, a first hammer support shaft that supports a first hammer and a second hammer support shaft that supports a second hammerand is 、 provided in a state where they are displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction. As a result, the rotation angles of the first hammer and the second hammer accompanying the key press are different, and combined with the above Claim 3 it is possible to increase the difference in the rotation angles of the hammers for each type of key.

[0020] Claim 5 The invention according to 4 In the keyboard device of a keyboard musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to

[0021] According to this configuration, the rotation angle of the first hammer accompanying the key press is set to be larger than that of the second hammer. As a result, in a keyboard device in which each key rotates about a virtual fulcrum located behind its rear end, the virtual fulcrum length of the first key corresponding to the first hammer is longer than that of the second key corresponding to the second hammer. Therefore, by setting the first key as a black key and the second key as a white key, the virtual fulcrum length of the black key can be made longer than that of the white key, and as a result, the relationship between the virtual fulcrum lengths of the black key and the white key can be made the same as that of the keyboard of a grand piano.

[0022] Claim 6 The invention according to 4 In the keyboard device of a keyboard musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to

[0023] According to this configuration, in the above-mentioned claim 5Similarly, the rotation angle of the first hammer associated with the key press is set to be larger than that of the second hammer, whereby the touch weight of the first key corresponding to the first hammer becomes heavier than that of the second key corresponding to the second hammer. Therefore, by setting the first key as the key in the low pitch range of the keyboard device and the second key as the key in the high pitch range of the keyboard device, the touch weight of the key in the low pitch range can be made heavier than that of the key in the high pitch range. As a result, the relationship between the touch weights of the keys in the low pitch range and the high pitch range can be made the same as that of the keyboard of a grand piano.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1(a) shows only one octave of the keyboard device 1 of an electronic piano to which the present invention is applied. In the following description, first, the basic configuration and operation of the keyboard device 1 will be described, and then the main part of the present invention will be described.

[0026] FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which keys 2 other than the leftmost white key 2a and black key 2b are omitted in the keyboard device 1 of FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the white keys 2a and black keys 2b are removed from the keyboard chassis 4 together with the key support mechanism 6.

[0027] This keyboard device 1 includes a keyboard chassis 4, a plurality of keys 2 composed of white keys 2a and black keys 2b arranged side by side in the left - right direction, a key support mechanism 6 that is rotatably attached to the keyboard chassis 4 for each key 2 and supports the corresponding key 2 from below, a key switch 3 for detecting key - pressing information of each key 2, and the like.

[0028] The keyboard chassis 4 includes a chassis main body 4a made of a resin molded product having a predetermined shape by injection - molding a predetermined resin material (for example, ABS resin). As shown in FIG. 3, in this chassis main body 4a, its front part 11, middle part 12, and rear part 13 are all formed so as to extend in the left - right direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 3(a)) as a whole, and these are integrally molded by a plurality of ribs 14 that are spaced apart in the left - right direction and each extend in the front - rear direction. In the following description, in the keyboard chassis 4, the front part 11, middle part 12, and rear part 13 of the chassis main body 4a are referred to as the "chassis front part 11", "chassis middle part 12", and "chassis rear part 13", respectively.

[0029] The front part 11 of the chassis mainly serves to guide the white keys 2a when the keys are pressed and to regulate the upper and lower limit positions of the front end thereof. In this front part 11 of the chassis, a plurality of white key guides 11a for preventing the lateral sway of the white keys 2a are erected in a state of being arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and are inserted from below for each white key 2a. Further, in the front part 11 of the chassis, engagement holes 11b, 11b penetrating in the vertical direction are provided on both the left and right sides of each white key guide 11a, and two upper limit regulating parts 21, 21 on the left and right of the white key 2a, which will be described later, penetrate through and engage with both the engagement holes 11b, 11b respectively. Furthermore, in the front part 11 of the chassis, a stopper mounting part 11c protruding forward and extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a is provided at the front end thereof, and a key upper limit stopper 16a and a key lower limit stopper 16b for the white keys are respectively mounted on the lower surface and the upper surface of this stopper mounting part 11c so as to extend in the left-right direction. In addition, in the front part 11 of the chassis, a stopper mounting part 11d for the black keys extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a is provided at a predetermined position behind the white key guide 11a, and a key upper limit stopper 17 for the black keys is mounted on this stopper mounting part 11d so as to extend in the left-right direction.

[0030] The middle part 12 of the chassis mainly guides the black keys 2b when the keys are pressed, and swingably supports the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanisms 6a and 6b for the white keys and the black keys, which will be described later. This middle part 12 of the chassis has a flat part 12a in the shape of a flat plate extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of black key guides 12b erected on this flat part 12a and arranged at appropriate intervals in the left-right direction. Each black key guide 12b is inserted from below for each black key 2b to prevent lateral movement of the black key 2b. Further, at the front part of the middle part 12 of the chassis, a first arm support part 18 for supporting the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6 is provided. This first arm support part 18 has a plurality of first support shafts 18a provided so as to extend in the left-right direction between adjacent ribs 14, 14, and the first arm 31 is swingably supported by these first support shafts 18a. Furthermore, at the rear part of the middle part 12 of the chassis, a second arm support part 19 for supporting the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6 is provided. This second arm support part 19 has a plurality of second support shafts 19a provided so as to extend in the left-right direction between adjacent ribs 14, 14. The plurality of second support shafts 19a are arranged on the same axis extending in the left-right direction at a position behind and higher than the first support shafts 18a, and the second arm 32 is swingably supported by these second support shafts 19a. Incidentally, at a predetermined position of a middle rail 8, which will be described later, provided below the middle part 12 of the chassis, a first arm lower limit stopper 10b extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis main body 4a is provided.

[0031] Also, below the keyboard chassis 4, between the front part 11 of the chassis and the middle part 12 of the chassis, the key switch 3 is attached. This key switch 3 is composed of a horizontally long printed circuit board 3a extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of switch bodies 3b each composed of a rubber switch attached to this printed circuit board 3a for each key 2 and pressed by the first arm 31 when the key is pressed.

[0032] The rear part 13 of the chassis mainly serves to guide the key 2 in the vertical direction while preventing lateral movement at its rear end, and to regulate the upper limit position of the rear end of the first arm 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), the rear part 13 of the chassis has a plurality of partition walls 13a spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction so as to partition adjacent keys 2, 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(b), at a predetermined position in the upper part of the rear part 13 of the chassis, a first arm upper limit stopper 10a extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a is provided. The first arm upper limit stopper 10a and the first arm lower limit stopper 10b provided in the middle part 12 of the chassis each have a function as a hammer for imparting a touch weight to the key 2, and regulate the upper limit position and the lower limit position when the first arm 31 rotates upward and downward with respect to the first arm 31. Further, a metal cover plate 15 extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a and arranged to cover the rear end of the key 2 is attached to the upper part of the rear part 13 of the chassis.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), the chassis body 4a of the keyboard chassis 4 configured as described above is provided with a plurality of first openings 5a opening upward and forward and a plurality of second openings 5b opening upward. Through each of the above-mentioned first openings 5a, the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6 is engaged with the first support shaft 18a from the outside, and through each of the above-mentioned second openings 5b, the second arm 32 is engaged with the second support shaft 19a from the outside.

[0034] In the above-mentioned keyboard chassis 4, a plurality of chassis bodies 4a are connected in a state of being arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and are all screwed in a state of being placed on metal front rails 7, middle rails 8 and rear rails 9 extending in the left-right direction and arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. Then, the keyboard chassis 4 is fixed on a shelf board (not shown) of the digital piano through the above-mentioned front rail 7 and rear rail 9.

[0035] Next, the key 2 and the key support mechanism 6 will be described. FIG. 4(a) shows an enlarged view of the white key 2a and its key support mechanism 6a, and FIG. 4(b) shows an exploded view thereof. As shown in the figure, the white key 2a is formed in a hollow shape that extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and is open downward by injection molding a predetermined resin material (for example, AS resin). At the front end portion of the white key 2a, a pair of left and right upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 are provided which extend downward from the left and right side walls and whose lower end portions are bent forward. These upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 are engaged with the left and right engaging holes 11b, 11b of the front portion 11 of the chassis in a penetrating state as described above.

[0036] Also, at a predetermined position behind the upper limit position regulating portion 21 in the front portion of the white key 2a, a key front side connecting portion 22 connected to the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6a is provided. This key front side connecting portion 22 has a connecting recessed portion 22a formed in a U-shape with a long hole-shaped side surface shape and open forward. Further, a buffer member 20 for suppressing the generation of noise is attached to the connecting recessed portion 22a so as to cover the entire inner peripheral surface thereof when the connecting shaft 35b, which will be described later, of the first arm 31 slides within the connecting recessed portion 22a.

[0037] Furthermore, at the rear portion of the white key 2a, a key rear side connecting portion 23 connected to the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a is provided. This key rear side connecting portion 23 has a plate-shaped connecting main body portion 23a that hangs downward from the central portion in the left-right direction of the white key 2a and has a predetermined thickness in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right engaging convex portions 23b, 23b that project coaxially from the left and right side surfaces of the connecting main body portion 23a, respectively. Also, at the rear portion of the white key 2a, a tool insertion hole 24 is formed that penetrates in the vertical direction and into which a predetermined tool is inserted from above when disconnecting the connection between the white key 2a and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a during maintenance of the keyboard device 1 or the like.

[0038] On the other hand, the key support mechanism 6a includes a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 that engage with each other and are respectively connected to the key front side connecting portion 22 and the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the first arm 31 is composed of an arm body 33 and two weights 34, 34 attached to the arm body 33. The arm body 33 is composed of a resin molded product with a predetermined shape, such as by injection molding a predetermined resin material (for example, polyacetal). The arm body 33 extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction, and a first arm front-side connecting portion 35 for connecting to the key front-side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a is provided at the front end portion. The first arm front-side connecting portion 35 has a box portion 35a formed in a box shape that is open upward and forward, and a connecting shaft 35b provided so as to extend in the left-right direction in a state where the front upper end portions of the left and right side walls of the box portion 35a are connected to each other. And this connecting shaft 35b is connected to the connecting recess 22a of the key front-side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a so as to be rotatable and slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0040] Further, the arm body 33 has a U-shaped bearing portion 36 with a downwardly open side surface shape at a predetermined position immediately behind the first arm front-side connecting portion 35, and this bearing portion 36 is rotatably engaged with the first support shaft 18a in the keyboard chassis 4. Furthermore, the arm body 33 is provided with a first arm rear-side connecting portion 37 for connecting to the second arm 32 at a predetermined position behind the bearing portion 36. Specifically, the first arm rear-side connecting portion 37 has a connecting shaft 37a that extends in the left-right direction and both ends of which protrude outward from the left and right side surfaces of the arm body 33, respectively. And both ends of this connecting shaft 37a are engaged with the connecting recesses 45b, 45b of the second arm front-side connecting portion 45, which will be described later, of the second arm 32.

[0041] Two elongated plate-shaped weights 34, 34 are attached to the weight attachment portion 38, which is the rear portion of the arm body 33, in a state of sandwiching the weight attachment portion 38 from both sides. Each weight 34 is made of a material (for example, a metal such as iron) having a specific gravity greater than that of the arm body 33, and is formed into a predetermined shape, such as by pressing a metal plate.

[0042] The second arm 32 is formed of a resin molded product having a predetermined shape by injection molding a resin material similar to the arm main body 33 of the first arm 31. This second arm 32 is shorter than the first arm 31 and extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. Further, the second arm 32 has a C-shaped bearing portion 41 with a side surface shape that opens forward near the center in the length direction, and this bearing portion 41 is rotatably engaged with the second support shaft 19a in the keyboard chassis 4.

[0043] In addition, a second arm rear side connecting portion 42 connected to the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a is provided at the rear portion of the second arm 32. This second arm rear side connecting portion 42 is formed in a bifurcated shape and has two left and right connecting arm portions 43, 43 that extend a predetermined length in parallel with each other along the length direction of the second arm 32. A connecting hole 43a penetrating in the left-right direction is formed at the rear end portion of each connecting arm portion 43. Then, both connecting arm portions 43, 43 sandwich the connecting main body portion 23a of the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a from both the left and right sides between their rear end portions, and each connecting hole 43a is rotatably fitted to the corresponding engaging convex portion 23b of the key rear side connecting portion 23.

[0044] Furthermore, a second arm front side connecting portion 45 connected to the first arm rear side connecting portion 37 of the first arm 31 is provided at the front portion of the second arm 32. This second arm front side connecting portion 45 has a pair of left and right connecting pieces 45a, 45a spaced a predetermined interval from each other in the left-right direction, and a U-shaped connecting recess 45b having a long hole-shaped side surface shape and opening forward is formed in each connecting piece 45a. Then, the left and right connecting pieces 45a, 45a of the second arm front side connecting portion 45 are rotatably and slidably engaged with both end portions of the connecting shaft 37a of the first arm 31 via their connecting recesses 45b, 45b, respectively.

[0045] Fig. 5(a) shows an enlarged view of the black key 2b and its key support mechanism 6b, and Fig. 5(b) shows an exploded view thereof. The black key 2b is formed of the same resin material as the white key 2a by injection molding or the like, extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction shorter than the white key 2a, and is formed in a hollow shape that opens downward. At the front lower end of the black key 2b, a front key connecting portion 26 formed substantially the same as the front key connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a is provided. This front key connecting portion 26 has a connecting recess 26a formed in a U-shape with a long hole-shaped side surface and opening forward. Further, the front key connecting portion 26 has an extended portion 26b that extends a predetermined length forward from the front surface of the main body of the black key 2b at the lower front end of the connecting recess 26a, and this extended portion 26b functions as an upper limit position regulating portion of the black key 2b. In the following description, for the black key 2b and the key support mechanism 6b, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the white key 2a and the key support mechanism 6a described above, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0046] The key support mechanism 6b that supports the black key 2b is configured substantially the same as the key support mechanism 6a for the white key described above. Specifically, the arm body 33 of the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6b are configured to have exactly the same shape and size as the arm body 33 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a for the white key. Note that the two left and right weights 34, 34 of the key support mechanism 6b for the black key have different shapes at the rear from the weight 34 of the key support mechanism 6a for the white key.

[0047] Next, the operation of the keys 2 and the key support mechanism 6 in the keyboard device 1 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 6 shows the operation of the white key 2a and its key support mechanism 6a, and Fig. 7 shows the operation of the black key 2b and its key support mechanism 6b.

[0048] In the key-off state shown in Fig. 6(a), when the front end of the white key 2a is pressed down by a finger of the player, the key front side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a moves downward, whereby the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first support shaft 18a. Further, with the rotation of the first arm 31, the second arm front side connecting portion 45 engaged with the connecting shaft 37a of the first arm 31 via the connecting recess 45b moves upward. Thereby, the second arm 32 rotates clockwise about the second support shaft 19a. Then, with the rotation of the second arm 32, the key rear side connecting portion 23 connected via the second arm rear side connecting portion 42 at the rear end thereof is pulled down, and the rear end of the white key 2a moves downward.

[0049] Incidentally, when the first arm 31 rotates as described above, as the box portion 35a of the first arm front side connecting portion 35 moves downward, the switch body 3b of the key switch 3 corresponding to the key 2 pressed by the key is pressed from above by the bottom wall of the box portion 35a. Thereby, in the electronic piano, the key pressing information of the key 2 pressed by the key is detected, and based on the detected key pressing information, a sound is generated from a speaker (not shown).

[0050] As described above, when the white key 2a is pressed down, with the counterclockwise rotation of the first arm 31, the weight 34 of the first arm 31 inclines backward upward as shown in Fig. 6(b), and the rear end abuts against the first arm upper limit stopper 10a from below. Thereby, further rotation of the first arm 31 is blocked. Then, when the front end of the white key 2a is pressed down to the lowest position, the front end of the white key 2a abuts against the key lower limit stopper 16b, and further pressing down of the white key 2a is blocked.

[0051] The white key 2a that is pressed as described above operates to rotate about a virtual fulcrum P located behind its rear end. The position of this virtual fulcrum P is set such that, for example, the distance from the front end of the white key 2a is about twice the length of the white key 2a itself. As a result, when the front end portion of the white key 2a is pushed down to the lowest position, compared to the key-off state shown in FIG. 6(a), the front end portion of the white key 2a is positioned downward by a predetermined key stroke (e.g., 10 mm), and the rear end portion is positioned downward by a distance of about 1 / 2 of the above key stroke (e.g., 5 mm).

[0052] On the other hand, when the finger is released from the pressed white key 2a, due to the weight of the hammer 34, the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6a rotates in the opposite direction to the above, and accordingly, the second arm 32 also rotates in the opposite direction to the above. Along with this, the white key 2a rotates upward about the virtual fulcrum P. Then, a predetermined portion behind the first pivot shaft 18a in the first arm 31 abuts against the first arm lower limit stopper 10b from above, and both upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 of the white key 2a abut against the key upper limit stopper 16a from below, preventing further rotation of the white key 2a and returning it to the original key-off state.

[0053] Also, the operation when the black key 2b is pressed is performed in the same manner as the above-described white key 2a and key support mechanism 6a. That is, in the key-off state shown in FIG. 7(a), when the front end portion of the black key 2b is pushed down, the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first pivot shaft 18a, and the second arm 32 rotates clockwise about the second pivot shaft 19a. As a result, the black key 2b operates to rotate about a virtual fulcrum Q at the rear. Note that the position of this virtual fulcrum Q is set such that, similar to the virtual fulcrum P of the white key 2a described above, for example, the distance from the front end of the black key 2b is about twice the length of the black key 2 itself. Therefore, when the front end portion of the black key 2b is pushed down to the lowest position, compared to the key-off state shown in FIG. 7(a), the front end portion of the black key 2b is positioned downward by a predetermined key stroke, and the rear end portion is positioned downward by a distance of about 1 / 2 of the above key stroke.

[0054] On the other hand, when the finger is released from the depressed black key 2b, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6b rotate in the opposite direction as described above. Accordingly, the black key 2b rotates upward about the virtual fulcrum Q. Then, the extended portion 26b of the key front side connecting portion 26 of the black key 2b abuts against the key upper limit stopper 17 from below, preventing further rotation of the black key 2b and returning it to the original key-off state.

[0055] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14, the main part of the present invention will be described. The main part of the present invention is to set the rotation angle of the first arm 31 (hammer) accompanying key depression to be different according to the type of the key 2. More specifically, in the white key 2a (second key) and the black key 2b (first key), or in the high-pitched key 2 (second key) and the low-pitched key 2 (first key), the rotation angles of the first arm 31 of the corresponding key support mechanism 6 accompanying key depression are set to be different from each other.

[0056] First, a case will be described in which the rotation angles of the first arms 31, 31 of the respective key support mechanisms 6a, 6b accompanying key depression are set to be different from each other in the white key 2a and the black key 2b. FIG. 8(a) is a side sectional view of the white key 2a, and FIG. 8(b) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 22a of the key front side connecting portion 22 in the white key 2a. On the other hand, FIG. 8(c) is a side sectional view of the black key 2b, and FIG. 8(d) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 26a of the key front side connecting portion 26 in the black key 2b. As described above, the buffer members 20 for suppressing the generation of noise during key depression are attached to the connecting recesses 22a, 26a of the white key 2a and the black key 2b. However, in the following description, the buffer members 20 will be omitted.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 8(b), the connecting recesses 22a of the white keys 2a face each other with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and have a ceiling surface 61 and a bottom surface 62 that extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in Fig. 8). This connecting recess 22a is configured to extend in the front-rear direction along a reference line L that extends substantially horizontally in the key-released state by the above-mentioned ceiling surface 61 and bottom surface 62. That is, the inclination of the extending direction of the connecting recess 22a coincides with the reference line L. In Fig. 8(b), for the sake of clarity of the inclination of the extending direction of the connecting recess 22a, the reference line L is shown superimposed on the ceiling surface 61, and the same applies to other figures described later.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 8(c) and 8(d), the connecting recess 26a of the black key 2b has a ceiling surface 63 and a bottom surface 64 similar to those of the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a. Further, the connecting recess 26a of the black key 2b is configured to extend while being inclined downward forward (downward to the left in Fig. 8(d)) at a predetermined angle (for example, 1 to 2 degrees) with respect to the above-mentioned reference line L. That is, the inclination of the extending direction of the connecting recess 26a is inclined downward forward compared to that of the connecting recess 22a in the white key 2a.

[0059] Fig. 9(a) is a side sectional view of the keyboard device 1 centered on the white key 2a, and Fig. 9(b) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a. As described above, the white key 2a operates to rotate about the virtual fulcrum P shown in Fig. 9(a) when the key is pressed. The virtual fulcrum length, which is the length from the rear end of the white key 2a to the virtual fulcrum P in this case, is the length D.

[0060] On the other hand, Fig. 9(c) is a side sectional view of the keyboard device 1 centered on the black key 2b. Fig. 9(d) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 26a of the black key 2b. As described above, the black key 2b operates to rotate about the virtual fulcrum Q shown in Fig. 9(c) when the key is pressed. The virtual fulcrum length E, which is the length from the rear end of the black key 2b to the virtual fulcrum Q in this case, is longer than the virtual fulcrum length D of the white key 2a (E > D) because the inclination of the extending direction of the connecting recess 26a is inclined downward forward more than that of the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a.

[0061] Here, with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11, the operating principle of the keyboard device 1 in which the virtual fulcrum length E of the black key 2b is longer than the virtual fulcrum length D of the white key 2a as described above will be explained. FIGS. 10(a) and (b) respectively show the white key 2a and its key support mechanism 6a, and the black key 2b and its key support mechanism 6b in the key-off state. In these schematic diagrams, only the ceiling surfaces 61 and 63 that function as the acting points when the first arm 31 is rotated counterclockwise are shown for the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a and the connecting recess 26a of the black key 2b. Also, in order to clearly show the difference in the inclination of both ceiling surfaces 61 and 63, the inclination of the ceiling surface 63 is shown larger than the original inclination.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and (b), in the key-off state, the first arms 31 and the second arms 32 of the key support mechanisms 6a and 6b of the white key 2a and the black key 2b are all in the same posture. From this state, when the front end of the white key 2a is pushed down, the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first support shaft 18a as the connecting shaft 35b is pushed down via the ceiling surface 61. On the other hand, the second arm 32 rotates clockwise about the second support shaft 19a as the connecting shaft 37a moves upward following the rotation of the first arm 31. Then, when the white key 2a is pushed down to the lowest position, the first arm 31 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0063] On the other hand, when the front end of the black key 2b is pushed down from the state shown in Fig. 10(b), the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 rotate in the same manner as the white key 2a described above. However, in the case of the black key 2b, since the inclination of the ceiling surface 63 (connecting recess 26a) is larger than that of the ceiling surface 61 (connecting recess 22a) of the white key 2a, when the black key 2b is pushed down to the lowest position, the connecting shaft 35b of the first arm 31 that slides forward along the ceiling surface 63 is located lower than that of the first arm 31 for the white key 2a. As a result, the rotation angle of the first arm 31 for the black key 2b becomes larger than that of the first arm 31 for the white key 2a. In addition, the rotation angle of the second arm 32 for the black key 2b also becomes larger than that of the second arm 32 for the white key 2a. Thereby, the engaging convex portion 23b at the rear end of the black key 2b is pulled down more than the engaging convex portion 23b of the white key 2a, and as a result, the virtual fulcrum length E of the black key 2b becomes longer than the virtual fulcrum length D of the white key 2a.

[0064] Next, with reference to Figs. 12 and 13, a keyboard device 1 in which the touch weights of keys 2 in the high and low pitch ranges are different from each other by setting the rotation angles of the first arm 31 accompanying key pressing to be different from each other will be described. Fig. 12 is the same figure as Fig. 9 described above, (a) is a side sectional view of the keyboard device 1 centered on the white key 2a in the high pitch range, and (b) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a in (a). As shown in Fig. (b), the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a in the high pitch range is configured to extend in the front-rear direction along the reference line L in the key-off state.

[0065] On the one hand, FIG. 12(c) is a side sectional view of the keyboard device 1 centered on the white key 2a in the low pitch range, and (d) shows an enlarged view of the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a in (c). As shown in FIG. (d), the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a in the low pitch range has a ceiling surface 61A and a bottom surface 62A. By these ceiling surface 61A and bottom surface 62A, in the key-off state, it is configured to extend while being inclined downward forward (leftward downward in FIG. 12) at a predetermined angle (for example, 1 to 2 degrees) with respect to the reference line L. Thus, the inclination of the extending direction of the connecting recess 22a in the white key 2a in the low pitch range is inclined downward forward compared to that of the connecting recess 22a in the white key 2a in the high pitch range.

[0066] FIGS. 13(a) and (b) schematically show the key-pressing states of the white keys corresponding to FIGS. 12(a) and (b) described above, respectively. As shown in FIG. 13(b), in the key support mechanism 6a that supports the white key 2a in the low pitch range, the rotation angle of the first arm 31 accompanying key pressing is larger than that of the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6a that supports the white key 2a in the high pitch range shown in FIG. 13(a). Thereby, the touch weight of the white key 2a in the low pitch range becomes heavier than the touch weight of the white key 2a in the high pitch range.

[0067] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment in which the rotation angle of the first arm 31 accompanying key pressing is set to be different according to the type of key 2. (a) is a side sectional view of the keyboard device 1 centered on the white key 2a. In this keyboard device 1, the second support shaft 19a that supports the second arm 32 of each key support mechanism 6 and the first support shaft 18a that supports the first arm 31 are provided in a state of being displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction in the white key 2a and the black key 2b, and also in the high pitch range keys 2 and the low pitch range keys 2.

[0068] FIG. 14(b) shows an example in which the two second support shafts 19a, 19a that support the second arm 32 are provided at different positions. In FIG. (b), both second support shafts 19a, 19a are provided in a state of being displaced from each other in the front-rear direction by the diameter of the second support shaft 19a.

[0069] Further, FIG. 14(c) shows an example in which the two first support shafts 18a, 18a that support the first arm 31 are provided at different positions. In FIG. 14(c), both first support shafts 18a, 18a are provided in a state where they are displaced from each other in the front-rear direction by the diameter of the first support shaft 18a.

[0070] As described above, by setting the position of the second support shaft 19a according to the type of the key 2, and in addition to this, by setting the position of the first support shaft 18a, the rotation angle of the first arm 31 accompanying the key press can be adjusted, and thereby, according to the type of the key 2, the virtual fulcrum length and the touch weight can be adjusted.

[0071] As described above, according to the keyboard device 1 to which the main part of the present invention is applied, by setting the rotation angle of the first arm 31 that rotates in conjunction with the key press to be different according to the type of the key 2, the touch weight and the virtual fulcrum length at the time of key press can be adjusted according to the type of the key 2, and as a result, a key operation similar to that of a grand piano can be obtained.

[0072] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be implemented in various modes. For example, in the embodiment, while the connecting recesses 22a, 26a are provided at the key front side connecting portions 22, 26 of the key 2, and the connecting shaft 35b is provided at the first arm front side connecting portion 35 of the first arm 31, it is also possible to reverse the positional relationship between the connecting recesses 22a, 26a and the connecting shaft 35b that engage with each other, that is, to provide the connecting recesses on the first arm 31 and the connecting shaft on the key 2.

[0073] Also, in the embodiment, only two types of inclinations in the extending direction of the engaging recesses 22a, 26a of the key 2 are exemplified, but in the keyboard device 1, it is also possible to set three or more types of inclinations in the extending direction of the engaging recesses 22a, 26a of the key 2. Thereby, it becomes possible to finely set the rotation angle of the first arm 31 accompanying the key press according to more types of the key 2 (for example, in addition to the low range and the high range, the middle range, etc.).

[0074] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the keyboard device 1 in which the pressed key 2 operates so as to rotate about the rear virtual fulcrums P and Q has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a general keyboard device in which the key rotates about its own rear end portion and does not include the second arm 32. In addition, the detailed configurations of the key 2 and the key support mechanism 6 shown in the embodiment are merely examples and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0075] 1 Keyboard device 2 Key 2a White key (second key) 2b Black key (first key) 4 Keyboard chassis 6 Key support mechanism 6a Key support mechanism for white keys 6b Key support mechanism for black keys 18 First arm support portion 18a First pivot shaft (hammer pivot shaft) 19 Second arm support portion 19a Second pivot shaft (arm pivot shaft) 22 Key front side connecting portion of white key (key side engaging portion) 22a Connecting recess (engaging recess) 23 Key rear side connecting portion 23b Engaging convex portion 26 Key front side connecting portion of black key (key side engaging portion) 26a Connecting recess (engaging recess) 31 First arm (hammer) 32 Second arm (connecting arm) 35 First arm front side connecting portion 35b Connecting shaft (engaging shaft) 37 First arm rear side connecting portion 37a Connecting shaft (predetermined portion) 42 Second arm rear side connecting portion 45 Second arm front side connecting portion 45b Connecting recess 61 Ceiling surface of connecting recess of white key Ceiling surface of the connecting recess of the white keys in the lower bass range Bottom surface of the connecting recess of the white keys Bottom surface of the connecting recess of the white keys in the lower bass range Ceiling surface of the connecting recess of the black keys Bottom surface of the connecting recess of the black keys P Virtual fulcrum of the white keys Q Virtual fulcrum of the black keys L Reference line

Claims

1. A keyboard chassis, a plurality of keys each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the upper part of the keyboard chassis, a plurality of hammers each extending in the front-rear direction, provided corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via a hammer pivot below the keys, arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and rotating in conjunction with the key being pressed, comprising, corresponding to a predetermined first key among the plurality of keys, a predetermined first hammer among the plurality of hammers, corresponding to a predetermined second key among the plurality of keys, and a predetermined second hammer among the plurality of hammers are set such that the rotation angles associated with key pressing are different from each other, the key and the hammer corresponding to the key each include a key-side engaging portion and a hammer-side engaging portion that engage with each other, one of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging recess extending in the front-rear direction, the other of the key-side engaging portion and the hammer-side engaging portion has an engaging shaft extending in the left-right direction and rotatably and slidably engaging with the engaging recess, In the key-released state, the inclination of the extending direction in the engaging recess of the first key or hammer and the inclination of the extending direction in the engaging recess of the second key or hammer are set to be different from each other. A keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument, characterized by this.

2. A plurality of connecting arms each extending in the front-rear direction, arranged side by side in the left-right direction corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via an arm pivot between the keys and the hammers, having a front end rotatably and slidably connected to a predetermined portion of the hammer and a rear end rotatably connected to the rear end of the key, and rotating in conjunction with the key being pressed, further comprising. A keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. A keyboard chassis, Each extending in the front-rear direction, a plurality of keys arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the upper part of the keyboard chassis, Each extending in the front-rear direction and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via a hammer pivot below the key and arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a plurality of hammers that rotate in conjunction with the key being pressed, comprising, corresponding to a predetermined first key among the plurality of keys, a predetermined first hammer among the plurality of hammers, corresponding to a predetermined second key among the plurality of keys, and a predetermined second hammer among the plurality of hammers are set such that the rotation angles associated with key pressing are different from each other, Each extending in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via an arm pivot between the key and the hammer, with the front end rotatably and slidably connected to a predetermined part of the hammer and the rear end rotatably connected to the rear end of the key, and further comprising a plurality of connecting arms that rotate in conjunction with the key being pressed, A first arm pivot that supports a predetermined first connecting arm among the plurality of connecting arms corresponding to the first key, and a second arm pivot that supports a predetermined second connecting arm among the plurality of connecting arms corresponding to the second key are provided in a state of being displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction. A keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument characterized by this.

4. The first hammer pivot that supports the first hammer and the second hammer pivot that supports the second hammer are provided in a state of being displaced from each other by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction. The keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The first hammer is set such that the rotation angle associated with key pressing is larger than that of the second hammer, The first key is set as a black key, The keyboard device of a keyboard musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second key is set as a white key.

6. The first hammer is set such that a rotation angle associated with key depression is larger than that of the second hammer. The first key is set as a key in the low pitch range of the keyboard device. The keyboard device of a keyboard musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second key is set as a key in the high pitch range of the keyboard device.

Images