Pedal unit and electronic keyboard device

Abstract

A pedal unit 10 in one embodiment comprises a case 190, a foot lever 100, and an elastic member 155. The foot lever 100 includes: a first section 100r that is located inside of the case 190; and a second section 100f that is located outside of the case 190. The foot lever 100 is disposed so as to be pivotable with respect to the case 190. The pivotal center is positioned between the first section 100r and the second section 100f. The elastic member 155 is disposed in the case 190 and imparts force to the first section 100r.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Pedal units used in electronic musical instruments detect whether the pedal is depressed (end position) or not (rest position), and transmit the detection result to a sound generator device to control the sound signal generated by the sound generator device. Various techniques are applied to such pedal units to achieve the same feel as operating the pedals of an acoustic piano. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that imparts hysteresis to the reaction force caused by depressing the pedal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-258642 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The pedals of upright pianos and grand pianos differ in function and structure. For example, the distance between the center of rotation of the pedal and the front end of the pedal differs between grand pianos and upright pianos. This distance is smaller on grand pianos than on upright pianos. As a result, the manner in which the pedal rotates when depressed differs between grand pianos and upright pianos. Meanwhile, conventional pedal units used in electronic musical instruments all have their center of rotation set at a position equivalent to that of an upright piano pedal. Therefore, there is a need for a pedal unit that provides an operating feel equivalent to that of a grand piano pedal.

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to make the feel of operating the pedals of the pedal unit closer to the feel of operating the pedals of a grand piano. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the pedal unit includes a case, a foot lever, and an elastic member. The foot lever includes a first portion located inside the case and a second portion located outside the case. The foot lever is rotatably disposed relative to the case. A rotation center is located between the first portion and the second portion. The elastic member is disposed within the case and applies a force to the first portion.

[0007] The elastic member may be disposed above the first portion.

[0008] The elastic member may be a metal spring.

[0009] The foot lever may further include a sensor that is disposed at a position higher than the first portion and that detects the position of the foot lever as it rotates.

[0010] The upper surface of the second portion may include a horizontal surface at a predetermined position within the rotation range of the foot lever.

[0011] The top surface of the first portion may have a region that is located at a lower position than the top surface of the second portion.

[0012] The foot lever may have a tip portion of an upper surface of the second portion that is higher than the rotation center in a rest position and lower than the rotation center in an end position.

[0013] The pivot point may be located lower than the second portion.

[0014] The case may have a structure that supports either the shaft or the bearing that forms the rotation center from below the foot lever.

[0015] The width of a portion of the foot lever located directly above the rotation center may be wider than the width of a region where a shaft forming the rotation center and a bearing face each other.

[0016] The edge of the shaft forming the rotation center may have an arc shape in cross section.

[0017] The device may further include a shaft fixed to the foot lever and forming the rotation center, and a bearing fixed to the case and forming the rotation center.

[0018] The rotation center may be located inside the case, and at least a part of an area where the shaft forming the rotation center and the bearing face each other may overlap with the second portion when the foot lever is viewed from above.

[0019] The foot lever may have a stopper that supports a first portion of the foot lever from below when the foot lever is in a rest position, and the elastic member may apply a force to the first portion between the rotation center and the stopper.

[0020] The case may have a lower stopper and an upper stopper that define the rotation range of the foot lever in the first part, and a guide member that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever inside the case, with a portion of the upper stopper positioned above the guide member and a portion of the lower stopper positioned below the guide member.

[0021] The guide member may contact at least one of the upper stopper and the lower stopper.

[0022] The foot lever may have a guide member that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever in the first portion, and a contact member that is arranged in the first portion of the foot lever and moves while contacting the guide member when the foot lever rotates, the contact member having an integral structure with either the axis or the bearing that forms the rotation center of the foot lever.

[0023] The foot lever may have a guide member that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever in the first portion, and a contact member that is arranged on the first portion of the foot lever and moves while contacting the guide member when the foot lever rotates, wherein the contact member has an area that undergoes elastic deformation and is arranged in a state that applies a restoring force in a direction from the foot lever to the guide member.

[0024] The guide member may have a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface being positioned on the opposite side of the foot lever from the second guide surface, and the first guide surface and the second guide surface being non-parallel.

[0025] The guide member may have a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface being positioned on the opposite side of the foot lever from the second guide surface, and the first guide surface and the second guide surface being parallel to each other.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronic keyboard device includes the pedal unit described above, a keyboard section having a plurality of keys, and a sound source section that generates sound signals in response to operations on the keys and operations on the foot lever of the pedal unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the operational feel of the pedals of the pedal unit can be made closer to the operational feel of the pedals of a grand piano. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic keyboard device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic keyboard device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between a foot lever and a shaft. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing the pedal unit when the foot lever is rotated to just before the half-pedal state. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing the pedal unit when the foot lever has been rotated to an end position. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cross section (D1-D2) of a guide structure in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cross section (D3-D4) of the guide structure in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a guide member in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cross section (E1-E2) of a shaft in the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, identical parts or parts having similar functions are designated with the same or similar symbols (symbols consisting of a number followed by A, B, etc.), and repeated explanations may be omitted. For clarity of explanation, the drawings may be illustrated schematically, with dimensional ratios different from actual ratios and parts of the configuration omitted from the drawings.

[0030] First Embodiment [1.Electronic keyboard device] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic keyboard device according to one embodiment. The electronic keyboard device 1 includes a pedal unit 10, a keyboard body 91, a support plate 93 that supports the keyboard body 91 at a predetermined height, and a support column 95 for suspending and supporting the pedal unit 10 from the keyboard body 91. The pedal unit 10 may be separable from the keyboard body 91. In this case, the pedal unit 10 and the support column 95 may be separable, or the support column 95 and the keyboard body 91 may be separable.

[0031] The keyboard body 91 includes a keyboard section 88 consisting of an operation unit 83, a display unit 85, and a plurality of keys. The pedal unit 10 includes a case 190 and at least one foot lever 100 protruding from the case 190. In this example, the pedal unit 10 includes three foot levers 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3. From a functional standpoint, the foot lever 100-1 corresponds to a damper pedal, the foot lever 100-2 corresponds to a sostenuto pedal, and the foot lever 100-3 corresponds to a shift pedal. In the following explanation, the three foot levers 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 will be referred to as foot levers 100 unless otherwise specified. The foot lever 100 can also be referred to as a pedal arm.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , the forward direction F, the depth direction D, the upward direction U, the downward direction B, the leftward direction L, and the rightward direction R are defined with respect to the user (player) playing the electronic keyboard device 1. In other words, the forward direction F and the depth direction D are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the keys. The longitudinal direction of the keys is sometimes referred to as the front-to-back direction. The leftward direction L and the rightward direction R are aligned along the direction in which the keys are arranged. The direction in which the keys are arranged is sometimes referred to as the left-to-right direction. The rightward direction R corresponds to the treble side of the keys. A plane including the front-to-back and left-to-right directions is sometimes referred to as the horizontal plane. The upward direction U and the downward direction B are aligned along the vertical direction. The vertical direction is sometimes referred to as the up-down direction. Regarding height, the horizontal plane is used as the reference. For example, when a first component is said to be higher than a second component, this includes not only the case in which the first component is located in the area above the second component in the upward direction U (the area directly above the second component) but also the case in which the first component is located in an area shifted left-to-right or forward-to-back from that area. Similar definitions will be used in the following explanations of the figures.

[0033] According to the pedal unit 10 of one embodiment, by adopting an internal structure different from conventional structures, it is possible to make the feel of operating the pedals closer to the feel of operating the pedals of a grand piano. Below, each component of the electronic keyboard device 1 will be explained, and the pedal unit 10 will be explained in particular in detail.

[0034] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic keyboard device according to one embodiment. The electronic keyboard device 1 includes a pedal unit 10, a control unit 81, a storage unit 82, an operation unit 83, a sound source unit 84, a display unit 85, a speaker 86, a keyboard unit 88, and a key depression detection unit 89.

[0035] The key depression detection unit 89 detects depression of a key included in the keyboard unit 88, and outputs a key signal KV corresponding to the detection result to the control unit 81. The key signal KV includes information corresponding to the key to be operated and the amount of operation of that key. The pedal unit 10 detects depression of the foot lever 100, and outputs a pedal signal PV corresponding to the detection result to the control unit 81. The pedal signal PV includes information corresponding to the pedal to be operated and the amount of operation of that pedal.

[0036] The operation unit 83 includes operation devices such as knobs, sliders, touch sensors, and buttons, and receives instructions from the user to the electronic keyboard device 1. The operation unit 83 outputs an operation signal CS to the control unit 81 in accordance with the received user instructions.

[0037] The storage unit 82 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory, and has an area for storing a control program executed by the control unit 81. The control program may be provided from an external device. When the control program is executed by the control unit 81, various functions are realized in the electronic keyboard device 1.

[0038] The control unit 81 is an example of a computer that includes a processing circuit such as a CPU, and storage devices such as RAM and ROM. The control unit 81 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 82 using the CPU, and realizes various functions in the electronic keyboard device 1 according to the instructions written in the control program. The control unit 81 generates a sound source control signal Ct based on, for example, the key signal KV, the pedal signal PV, and the operation signal CS.

[0039] The sound source unit 84 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The sound source unit 84 generates a sound signal based on a sound source control signal Ct supplied from the control unit 81. In other words, the sound source unit 84 generates a sound signal in response to operation of the keys of the keyboard unit 88 and operation of the foot lever 100 of the pedal unit 10. The sound source unit 84 may supply the generated sound signal to a speaker 86. The speaker 86 amplifies and outputs the sound signal supplied from the sound source unit 84, thereby generating a sound corresponding to the sound signal. The display unit 85 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various screens under the control of the control unit 81. A touch panel may be configured by combining the display unit 85 with a touch sensor.

[0040] [2. Pedal unit configuration] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the pedal unit 10. In the following description, attention will be focused on one foot lever 100.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pedal unit in the first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the foot lever 100 is not depressed, i.e., the foot lever 100 is in the rest position. The pedal unit 10 includes the foot lever 100 and a case 190 that houses a portion of the foot lever 100. In this example, the pedal unit 10 includes an auxiliary tool 195 on the underside of the bottom part 190b to help fix the position of the case 190 relative to the floor.

[0042] The case 190 is formed of, for example, FRP (fiber reinforced plastic), but may also be formed of other resins such as PBT resin, ABS resin, POM resin, PPS resin, or PEEK resin, or may be formed of metal. The case 190 includes a bottom 190b, a ceiling 190u, and side sections. The side sections are walls connecting the bottom 190b and the ceiling 190u. The ceiling 190u and the bottom 190b are configured to be separable and are fixed to each other via the side sections using screws or the like. In this example, the side sections and the ceiling 190u are integrally formed, but the side sections and the bottom 190b may also be integrally formed. FIG. 3 shows a front section 190f and a rear section 190r of the side sections. The portions of the side sections arranged in the left direction L and the right direction R are not shown. An opening exists between the front section 190f and the bottom 190b. The foot lever 100 is arranged so that a portion of the foot lever 100 is inside the case 190 and the remaining portion is outside the case 190. The foot lever 100 is arranged to be rotatable relative to the case 190 by a shaft 115 and a bearing 120, which will be described below. The center of rotation C is located inside the case 190. The opening is large enough not to interfere with the rotation range of the foot lever 100.

[0043] The foot lever 100 is made of metal and has a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. In the foot lever 100, the region in the depth direction D with respect to the rotation center C is referred to as the first region 100r (first portion), and the region in the front direction F with respect to the rotation center C and outside the case 190 is referred to as the second region 100f (second portion). The surface of the foot lever 100 facing in the upward direction U is referred to as the upper surface 100s1, and the surface facing in the downward direction B is referred to as the lower surface 100s2. The upper surface 100s1 and the lower surface 100s2 do not include the portion of the tip of the second region 100f of the foot lever 100 that is bent in the downward direction B.

[0044] In this example, when the foot lever 100 is in the rest position, the upper surface 100s1 includes a horizontal plane. The upper surface 100s1 does not have to include a horizontal plane by tilting the second region 100f so that it is higher or lower relative to the first region 100r. For example, the upper surface 100s1 may include an approximately horizontal plane. In this example, the concept of an approximately horizontal plane includes an inclination of up to 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. If the foot lever 100 does not include a horizontal plane when in the rest position, the upper surface 100s1 may include a horizontal plane within the rotation range, or the upper surface 100s1 may not include a horizontal plane at any position within the rotation range.

[0045] A region located approximately in the center of the foot lever 100 in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the central region 100c) is connected to a shaft support portion 111 on the lower surface 100s2. A shaft 115 is connected to the tip of the shaft support portion 111. In other words, the shaft support portion 111 connects the shaft 115 to the foot lever 100 and supports the shaft 115 with respect to the foot lever 100.

[0046] The shaft 115 forms a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction and has an arc-shaped edge in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis. This arc-shaped edge corresponds to a portion of a circle centered at the rotation center C. The shaft 115 is formed of a resin different from that of the case 190. The shaft 115 is formed of, for example, POM resin, but may also be formed of other resins such as PBT resin, ABS resin, nylon resin, PTFE resin, UHPE resin, and PEEK resin. The bearing 120 paired with the shaft 115 includes a contact portion 125 and a bearing support portion 192. The contact portion 125 contacts the portion of the shaft 115 on which the shaft 115 is placed, which corresponds to the arc-shaped portion of the shaft 115. The surface where the contact portion 125 and the shaft 115 contact is referred to as the contact surface. Therefore, when the foot lever 100 rotates, the shaft 115 and the contact portion 125 slide against each other. The bearing support portion 192 supports the contact portion 125 from the side opposite the contact surface. In this example, bearing support portion 192 corresponds to a part of case 190, but may be formed of a member separate from case 190. Therefore, contact portion 125 is sandwiched between shaft 115 and bearing support portion 192. Bearing support portion 192 can also be said to be a surface that supports contact portion 125 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a support surface). In this case, the contact surface and the support surface face each other at least in part.

[0047] In this example, the contact surface and the support surface are similar to each other, except for their different distances from the rotation center C. However, such a relationship is not necessary. The contact surface has a shape such that the distance from the rotation center C is the same at all positions. In the following description, this distance is sometimes referred to as the radius of curvature DD, which corresponds to the radius of the shaft 115. The radius of curvature DD may be set as appropriate, but is preferably 3.5 mm or greater, and more preferably 4.0 mm or greater. On the other hand, the support surface may have a shape such that the distance from the rotation center C varies depending on the position, as long as the contact portion 125 is supported by the bearing support portion 192. The positional relationship between the bearing support portion 192 and the contact portion 125 is fixed, but they only need to be fixed at least in the direction in which they slide relative to each other. In other words, it is only necessary that the contact portion 125 is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the bearing support portion 192 when the shaft 115 rotates relative to the bearing 120.

[0048] Contact portion 125 is formed of a resin different from that of shaft 115 and bearing support portion 192 (case 190). Contact portion 125 is formed of, for example, PBT resin, but may be formed of other resins such as POM resin, ABS resin, nylon resin, PTFE resin, UHPE resin, and PEEK resin. The relationship between the resin material of contact portion 125 and the resin material of shaft 115 is determined so that a desired frictional force is obtained between contact portion 125 and shaft 115 and wear is reduced.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the foot lever and the shaft. FIG. 4 corresponds to the state in which the foot lever 100 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center C (rotation axis) (here, downward direction B). According to this diagram, the width WP of the portion of the foot lever 100 located directly above the rotation axis is wider than the width WX of the area (contact surface) where the shaft 115 and the contact portion 125 face each other and come into contact. These widths are lengths in the left-right direction (lengths along the rotation axis). By arranging the shaft 115 inside the foot lever 100 in this way, the shaft 115 is not visible when the foot lever 100 is viewed from the top surface 100s1 side. In this example, the rotation center C is located inside the case 190.

[0050] In this example, as shown in Fig. 4, at least a portion of the contact surface overlaps with the second region 100f (the region shown by the mesh). Such an overlapping region does not have to exist. The rotation center C may be located outside the case 190, but it is preferable that it be located inside the case 190.

[0051] Continuing the explanation, returning to Figure 3, the elastic member 155, the reaction force adding member 165, the stroke sensor 171, the contact sensor 173, the lower stopper 181, and the upper stopper 183 are arranged in the internal space of the case 190.

[0052] In this example, the elastic member 155 is a metal spring, but it need not be made of metal and need not be spring-shaped. That is, the elastic member 155 may be any member that generates an elastic force by elastic deformation. The elastic member 155 is disposed in an upper space US formed in the internal space of the case 190 at a position higher than the first region 100r. The upper end of the elastic member 155 is supported by a support member 153 fixed to the ceiling portion 190u. The lower end of the elastic member 155 is supported by a support member 151 fixed to the upper surface 100s1 of the first region 100r. The axial direction of the spring forming the elastic member 155 preferably coincides with the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the portion of the foot lever 100 that is in contact with the first region 100r at any position within the rotation range of the foot lever 100 (for example, the end position, the rest position, or the position where the reaction force adding member 165 and the foot lever 100 contact each other (see FIG. 5)).

[0053] The elastic member 155 is supported by the support members 151, 153 in a state compressed from its natural length and applies a force to the first region 100r to hold the foot lever 100 in the rest position. The force applied to the first region 100r includes a downward component B. The elastic force of the elastic member 155 presses the first region 100r against the lower stopper 181 and presses the shaft 115 against the contact portion 125. The second region 100f, which is operated by the user, is relatively close to the rotation center C. Due to the leverage ratio, a large reaction force can be applied to the second region 100f even if the elastic force of the elastic member 155 is reduced. Therefore, the strength of the case 190 required to support the elastic member 155 can be reduced, improving the flexibility in the material and shape of the case 190.

[0054] The lower stopper 181 is disposed on the bottom 190b and contacts the lower surface 100s2 of the first region 100r of the foot lever 100. The lower stopper 181 contacts a portion of the first region 100r that is located further in the depth direction D than the elastic member 155 (in this example, the end of the foot lever 100 on the first region 100r side). In other words, the portion of the foot lever 100 to which force is applied by the elastic member 155 is located between the shaft 115 and the lower stopper 181. In this state, the rest position of the foot lever 100 is defined. The farther the position of the lower stopper 181 is from the center of rotation C, the higher the positioning accuracy can be. With this positional relationship, the elastic member 155 applies force to the first region 100r, thereby stably supporting the foot lever 100 on the pedal unit 10.

[0055] The upper stopper 183 is disposed on the ceiling portion 190u and contacts the upper surface 100s1 of the first region 100r of the foot lever 100. In this example, the upper stopper 183 contacts the end of the foot lever 100 on the side of the first region 100r. In this state, the end position of the foot lever 100 is determined (corresponding to FIG. 6). The farther the position of the upper stopper 183 is from the center of rotation C, the higher the positioning accuracy can be. In this way, the foot lever 100 can rotate between the rest position and the end position (i.e., within the rotation range).

[0056] The stroke sensor 171 is disposed on the ceiling portion 190u and is a sensor for detecting the behavior (e.g., the amount of rotation) of the foot lever 100. In this example, the stroke sensor 171 includes an optical sensor for measuring the position of the first region 100r (the amount of displacement from a reference position). The optical sensor in the stroke sensor 171 is a passive element that changes an electrical signal when the position of a detection target changes. In this example, the optical sensor serving as this passive element is disposed in the upward direction U of the first region 100r, but it may also be disposed offset in the left-right direction relative to the first region 100r. In other words, the optical sensor may be disposed at a position higher than the first region 100r rather than directly above the first region 100r. In other words, the optical sensor may be disposed in the upper space US. The stroke sensor 171 may be a sensor that detects the position of a first region 100r within the rotation range where the position of the foot lever 100 corresponds to the rest position and the end position, or a sensor that detects the position of the first region 100r within a predetermined range near the position where the first region 100r contacts the reaction force adding member 165. The detection result of the stroke sensor 171 makes it possible to calculate the rotation amount of the foot lever 100 (the amount the foot lever 100 is depressed). Information corresponding to the calculated rotation amount is included in the pedal signal PV described above.

[0057] The contact sensor 173 is disposed on the ceiling portion 190u and detects contact with a predetermined detection position. In this example, the reaction force adding member 165 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber and is a dome-shaped member that forms a space inside. The reaction force adding member 165 includes a protrusion 161 that protrudes toward the internal space. The reaction force adding member 165 is disposed in the upper space US so as to cover the detection position of the contact sensor 173 from below. The reaction force adding member 165 deforms when subjected to a force from below. When this deformation causes the protrusion 161 to come into contact with the detection position of the contact sensor 173, the contact sensor 173 outputs a predetermined detection signal. This detection signal is also included in the pedal signal PV. The reaction force adding member 165 may have a spring shape like the elastic member 155, as long as it is configured to undergo elastic deformation. The contact sensor 173 may detect the reaction force adding member 165 during its elastic deformation.

[0058] [3. Pedal unit operation] Next, the operation of rotating the foot lever 100 from the rest position to the end position will be described. When the foot lever 100 is depressed and rotated, the second region 100f, which is the portion that is depressed, descends and the first region 100r ascends. At this time, the elastic member 155 is gradually compressed, increasing its elastic force, and as a result, the force (reaction force) required to descend the second region 100f increases. At this time, frictional force is generated by the sliding between the shaft 115 and the contact portion 125. This frictional force and elastic force are perceived by the user as a reaction force when the foot lever 100 is depressed.

[0059] As the user increases the force with which he depresses the foot lever 100 to resist the increasing reaction force, the elastic member 155 acts as a fulcrum, increasing the force (normal force) applied from the shaft 115 to the contact portion 125. As a result, the frictional force generated between the shaft 115 and the contact portion 125 also increases, further increasing the reaction force.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the pedal unit when the foot lever has rotated to just before the half-pedal state. When the foot lever 100 is further depressed and rotated, the first region 100r comes into contact with the reaction force adding member 165 midway from the rest position to the end position, as shown in Fig. 5. At this time, it is preferable that an upper surface 100s1 of the first region 100r and the reaction force adding member 165 come into surface contact.

[0061] When the second region 100f further descends from this state, the reaction force adding member 165 begins to deform due to the first region 100r. As a result, the degree of increase in the reaction force increases due to the elastic force of the reaction force adding member 165 in addition to the elastic force of the elastic member 155. By perceiving this change in reaction force, the user can perceive that further depressing the foot lever 100 has brought the pedal closer to the half-pedal state. When the second region 100f further descends, the contact sensor 173 detects that the protrusion 161 has come into contact with the detection position. For example, a pedal signal PV including a detection signal obtained in response to this detection is transmitted to the control unit 81, and the sound source unit 84 can be controlled to impart a half-pedal effect to the sound signal.

[0062] 6 is a diagram showing the pedal unit when the foot lever has been rotated to the end position. As the second region 100f further descends from the half-pedal state, the deformation of the reaction force adding member 165 becomes even greater, and the protrusion 161 also begins to deform. As shown in FIG. 6, the first region 100r comes into contact with the upper stopper 183, causing the foot lever 100 to reach the end position.

[0063] 3, 5, and 6, the central region 100c of the foot lever 100 is near the rotation center C, so even when the foot lever 100 rotates, the size of the separation portion SP between the central region 100c and the front portion 190f does not change much. This makes it possible to make the separation portion SP small, preventing fingers and other objects from getting caught and making it difficult to see the internal structure of the case 190 from the outside. It is more effective to make the thickness (length in the front-to-rear direction) of the front portion 190f thinner than the distance from the rotation center C to the contact surface (radius of curvature DD).

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, in the rest position, the upper surface 100s1 of the foot lever 100 (at least the upper surface tip portion 100fe in the forward direction F of the upper surface 100s1) is located higher than a horizontal plane including the rotation center C (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal axis plane CF). On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, in the end position, at least a part of the upper surface 100s1 of the foot lever 100 is located lower than the horizontal axis plane CF. In this example, the upper surface tip portion 100fe of the upper surface 100s1 of the second region 100f is located lower than the horizontal axis plane CF.

[0065] In one embodiment, the foot lever 100 has a short distance from the rotation center C to the top surface tip portion 100fe. The shorter this distance, the greater the amount of forward / backward movement of the top surface tip portion 100fe when the foot lever 100 is depressed. By setting the positional relationship between the top surface tip portion 100fe and the horizontal axis plane CF as described above, the amount of forward / backward movement of the top surface tip portion 100fe caused by the rotation of the foot lever 100 can be reduced. The positional relationship between the top surface tip portion 100fe and the horizontal axis plane CF is not limited to this example. For example, the top surface tip portion 100fe may be located lower than the horizontal axis plane CF in the rest position, or may be located higher than the horizontal axis plane CF in the end position.

[0066] The pedal unit 10 used in the electronic keyboard device 1 has a first region 100r and a second region 100f arranged on either side of a rotation center C, and the foot lever 100 rotates in a seesaw pattern. This allows the upper space US on the upper surface 100s1 side of the first region 100r to be made larger, while the lower space LS on the lower surface 100s2 side of the first region 100r to be made smaller. The pedal unit 10 is placed in a portion close to the installation surface of the electronic keyboard device 1. Therefore, by making the region lower than the foot lever 100 (lower space LS) as small as possible, the degree of freedom in design is improved.

[0067] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the shaft 115 is fixed to the foot lever 100, and the bearing 120 is fixed to the case 190. The relationship between the shaft and the bearing may be reversed. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the relationship between the shaft and the bearing in the first embodiment is reversed.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit according to the second embodiment. In a pedal unit 10A according to the second embodiment, a bearing 120A is fixed to a foot lever 100A, and a shaft 115A is fixed to a case 190A. The shaft 115A is supported by a shaft support portion 191A that protrudes upward from a bottom portion 190bA. The bearing 120A includes a contact portion 125A and a bearing support portion 112A that supports the contact portion 125A from the opposite side of the contact surface. The bearing support portion 112A is connected to a central region 100cA. Descriptions of parts of the pedal unit 10A according to the second embodiment that are common to the pedal unit 10 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0069] Third Embodiment The foot lever 100 in the first embodiment is not bent except from the top surface tip portion 100fe toward the user in the forward direction F. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a part of the foot lever is bent and the first region 100r and the second region 100f are inclined at a predetermined angle.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in the third embodiment. The pedal unit 10B in the third embodiment is bent in the central region 100cB. In this example, the first region 100rB is bent downward in the direction B relative to the second region 100fB. In other words, the first region 100rB has an area that is positioned lower than the upper surface 100s1 of the second region 100fB. The area in which the first region 100rB moves as the foot lever 100 rotates is changed to the downward direction B compared to the first embodiment.

[0071] Therefore, the bottom 190bB and ceiling 190uB of the case 190B have a structure in which a space is formed on the rear 190rB side that is shifted downward B compared to the first embodiment. The lower stopper 181B and the upper stopper 183B are disposed at positions according to the range of movement of the first region 100rB. This makes it possible to ensure a large upper space US. Instead of increasing the upper space US, the pedal unit 10B may be made smaller.

[0072] In this example, the correction member 116B is disposed on the upper surface 100s1 of the first region 100rB. In the rest position, the upper surface 116Bs of the correction member 116B is flush with the above-described axial horizontal plane CF. The upper surface 116Bs is the surface that comes into contact with the reaction force adding member 165 when the foot lever 100B rotates. By setting the position of the upper surface 116Bs in this manner, the upper surface 116Bs can apply a force perpendicular to the reaction force adding member 165. Of the pedal unit 10B in the third embodiment, a description of the parts common to the pedal unit 10 in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] The foot lever 100B is not limited to having one curved portion, but may have multiple curved portions. The curved portions may be separate from the central region 100cB. By having the foot lever 100B bent at multiple positions, the upper surface 100s1 of the second region 100fB may be positioned lower than the axial horizontal plane CF.

[0074] <Fourth embodiment> In the first embodiment, the elastic member 155 is disposed in the upper space US. The location where the elastic member 155 is disposed is not limited to the upper space US. In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the elastic member 155 is disposed in the lower space LS will be described.

[0075] 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit according to the fourth embodiment. A pedal unit 10C according to the fourth embodiment includes an elastic member 155C disposed in the lower space LS. A support member 151C is connected to the lower surface 100s2 of the first region 100r, supports the upper end of the elastic member 155C, and fixes the upper end of the elastic member 155C so that it does not come off in the downward direction B. A support member 153C is connected to the bottom portion 190bC, supports the lower end of the elastic member 155C, and fixes the lower end of the elastic member 155C so that it does not come off in the upward direction U.

[0076] The elastic member 155C is supported by the support members 151C and 153C in a state stretched longer than its natural length, and applies a force to the first region 100r so as to hold the foot lever 100 in the rest position. The force applied to the first region 100r includes a component in the downward direction B. In other words, the direction of the force applied to the first region 100r is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0077] In this example, the stroke sensor 171C is also disposed in the lower space LS and measures the displacement of the lower surface 100s2 of the first region 100r. The stroke sensor 171C may be disposed in the upper space US. The case 190C has a structure that allows the elastic member 155C and the stroke sensor 171C to be disposed in the lower space LS. Description of parts of the pedal unit 10C in the fourth embodiment that are common to the pedal unit 10 in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0078] Fifth Embodiment In the fifth embodiment, a pedal unit 10D in which a guide structure for regulating the rotation direction of the foot lever 100 is provided in the first region 100r of the foot lever 100 will be described.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cross section (D1-D2) of the guide structure in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cross section (D3-D4) of the guide structure in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section taken along the cross section line D1-D2 in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section taken along the cross section line D3-D4 in FIG. 10. The guide structure that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever 100 includes a first region 100r of the foot lever 100 and guide members 185a and 185b. The guide member 185a is detachably supported by a plate-like member 198a. The guide member 185b is detachably supported by a plate-like member 198b.

[0080] The first region 100r of the foot lever 100 is sandwiched between the guide members 185a and 185b and rotates while being positioned in the left-right direction, thereby restricting the rotation direction of the foot lever 100. As a result, it is possible to reduce left-right swinging of the foot lever 100 when it rotates. At this time, the rib 199a is connected to the plate-shaped member 198a, and the rib 199b is connected to the plate-shaped member 198b, so that the left-right movement of the plate-shaped members 198a and 198b is restricted. Therefore, left-right swinging of the foot lever 100 (particularly both ends in the front-rear direction) is further reduced. Each configuration of the guide structure will be described below.

[0081] The plate-like members 198a and 198b are plate-like members that protrude upward in the U direction from the bottom 190b and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The plate-like members 198a and 198b are disposed opposite each other. A part of the first region 100r of the foot lever 100 is disposed between the plate-like members 198a and 198b. The plate-like member 198a is disposed to the left in the L direction relative to the foot lever 100. The plate-like member 198b is disposed to the right in the R direction relative to the foot lever 100.

[0082] The rib portion 199a is connected to the plate-shaped member 198a and the bottom portion 190b, and is a plate-shaped member that extends from the center of the plate-shaped member 198a in the direction opposite to the foot lever 100 (left direction L). The rib portion 199b is connected to the plate-shaped member 198b and the bottom portion 190b, and is a plate-shaped member that extends from the center of the plate-shaped member 198a in the direction opposite to the foot lever 100 (right direction R).

[0083] Guide member 185a is detachably arranged on plate member 198a so as to cover part of the side surface of plate member 198a while avoiding rib portion 199a. Guide member 185b is detachably arranged on plate member 198b so as to cover part of the side surface of plate member 198b while avoiding rib portion 199b. Guide members 185a and 185b are connected to each other by connecting member 187. Connecting member 187 is arranged in a position where it does not come into contact with foot lever 100 within the rotation range of foot lever 100.

[0084] In this example, the guide members 185a, 185b and the connecting member 187 are integrally molded to form a single unit, and are made of a material different from that of the foot lever 100 and the bottom portion 190b. The guide members 185a, 185b and the connecting member 187 are made of, for example, PBT resin. They may also be made of other resins, such as POM resin, ABS resin, nylon resin, PTFE resin, UHPE resin, and PEEK resin. The connecting member 187 does not necessarily have to be present.

[0085] The guide member 185a includes an inner region 185a1, an outer region 185a2, and a side region 185a3. The inner region 185a1 is disposed on the first region 100r side of the plate-shaped member 198a (toward the right R of the plate-shaped member 198a) and has a guide surface GFa that contacts the first region 100r of the foot lever 100. The outer region 185a2 is disposed on the opposite side of the plate-shaped member 198a from the first region 100r (toward the left L of the plate-shaped member 198a). The side region 185a3 connects the inner region 185a1 and the outer region 185a2. The inner region 185a1 and the outer region 185a2 sandwich the plate-shaped member 198a.

[0086] The plate-shaped member 198a becomes thinner in the upward direction U. The guide member 185a is attached to the plate-shaped member 198a by being pushed in from above so as to insert the plate-shaped member 198a between the inner region 185a1 and the outer region 185a2. At this time, the guide member 185a elastically deforms, widening the gap between the inner region 185a1 and the outer region 185a2. As a result, the guide member 185a sandwiches the plate-shaped member 198a by its restoring force. In this state, the guide surface GFa forms a surface along the vertical direction (a surface along the rotation direction of the foot lever 100). The guide surface GFa and a guide surface GFb, which will be described later, are formed symmetrically and are therefore parallel to each other. The guide member 185a may have a configuration (a positioning portion or a locking portion) that locks the plate-shaped member 198a at a predetermined position relative to the plate-shaped member 198a.

[0087] The lower stopper 181 is disposed in the downward direction B of the inner region 185a1. The upper stopper 183 is disposed in the upward direction U of the inner region 185a1. In this example, the inner region 185a1 may be in contact with one or both of the lower stopper 181 and the upper stopper 183. In this example, the inner region 185a1 is in contact with the lower stopper 181. In this way, the guide member 185a contacts the lower stopper 181 from the upward direction U via the inner region 185a1, thereby more firmly fixing the lower stopper 181, which is fixed to the bottom portion 190b with an adhesive such as double-sided tape, and preventing it from peeling off from the bottom portion 190b even if the adhesive strength weakens. Even if the inner region 185a1 is not in contact with the lower stopper 181, the range of movement of the lower stopper 181 can be limited. The same applies to the upper stopper 183.

[0088] Guide member 185b includes an inner region 185b1, an outer region 185b2, and a side region 185b3. Guide member 185b is bilaterally symmetrical to guide member 185a, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The foot lever 100 is sandwiched between guide surface GFa formed in inner region 185a1 and guide surface GFb formed in inner region 185b1, thereby restricting the rotation direction of the foot lever 100. Guide surfaces GFa and GFb are not limited to being formed in inner regions 185a1 and 185b1, and may be formed by opposing surfaces of plate-like members 198a and 198b without using guide members 185a and 185b.

[0089] Sixth Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, a pedal unit 10E will be described which has a different configuration on the foot lever 100 side in the guide structure of the fifth embodiment.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pedal unit in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of a guide member in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the configuration connected to the foot lever 100, which is a different part from the fifth embodiment. The position of the cross section in FIG. 14 is the same as that in FIG. 11. In this example, the guide surfaces GFa and GFb do not contact the first region 100r of the foot lever 100, but contact a contact member 117 attached to the foot lever 100. The contact member 117 has a contact region 117a, a contact region 117b, and a fixed region 117c.

[0091] The fixed region 117c is disposed between the contact region 117a and the contact region 117b and is fixed in the downward direction B of the foot lever 100. The contact region 117a extends from the fixed region 117c in the left direction L beyond the first region 100r of the foot lever 100 and comes into contact with the guide surface GFa in an elastically deformed state. The contact region 117b extends from the fixed region 117c in the right direction R beyond the first region 100r of the foot lever 100 and comes into contact with the guide surface GFb in an elastically deformed state. In other words, the contact member 117 is disposed with a restoring force applied in the directions from the foot lever 100 toward the guide surfaces GFa and GFb.

[0092] Therefore, contact area 117a maintains contact with guide surface GFa due to the restoring force. Contact area 117b maintains contact with guide surface GFb due to the restoring force. Because contact areas 117a and 117b are in contact with guide surfaces GFa and GFb while applying restoring forces, the guide structure functions even when guide surfaces GFa and GFb are not parallel, not just when they are parallel.

[0093] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the cross section (E1-E2) of the shaft in the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the shaft 115E has a protrusion 115T in the left-right direction. The left-right position of the foot lever 100 is determined by the contact of the protrusion 115T with the contact portion 125. In this example, the left-right position is also determined in the first region 100r of the foot lever 100. By determining the left-right position near the rotation center C of the foot lever 100 and in the first region 100r (near the end portion) of the foot lever 100, left-right shaking of the foot lever 100 (particularly both ends in the front-rear direction) is further reduced compared to when only one of the positioning portions is present.

[0094] This example further includes a connecting member 113 that connects the shaft support portion 111 and the contact member 117. The shaft 115E, the shaft support portion 111, the connecting member 113, and the contact member 117 are integrally molded to form an integrated structure. Therefore, the accuracy of the positional relationship between the protrusion 115T of the shaft 115E and the inner regions 185a1, 185b1 of the contact member 117 is improved compared to when they are separate structures. The protrusion 115T, as in the first embodiment, does not need to be present. The connecting member 113 does not need to be present, and the shaft 115E and the contact member 117 do not need to have an integrated structure. When a bearing 120A is present on the foot lever 100 side as in the second embodiment, the bearing 120A, instead of the shaft 115E, is connected to the contact member by the connecting member 113.

[0095] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various other modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Some of the configurations of the embodiments may be added, deleted, or replaced with other configurations. The following description will be given as an example of a modification of the first embodiment, but it can also be applied as an example of a modification of other embodiments. The above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can also be applied in combination with each other, as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0096] (1) The shaft 115 and the bearing 120 may be connected by a snap fit.

[0097] (2) The shaft 115 may protrude in the left-right direction from the foot lever 100, so that it may come into contact with the bearing 120 (contact portion 125) on the outside of the foot lever 100. This configuration may be realized by extending in the left-right direction from the shaft 115 and bearing 120 located in the downward direction B of the foot lever 100 (central region 100c) shown in one embodiment, or may be realized by only the portions protruding in the left-right direction.

[0098] (3) The contact sensor 173 may not be provided. In this case, the protrusion 161 of the reaction force adding member 165 may not be present. Furthermore, the reaction force adding member 165 may not be provided.

[0099] (4) At least one of the lower stopper 181 and the upper stopper 183 may be disposed in the forward direction F from the rotation center C. In this case, the upper stopper 183 is disposed in the downward direction B of the foot lever 100, and the lower stopper 181 is disposed in the upward direction U of the foot lever 100. It will be placed.

[0100] (5) The stroke sensor 171 may be a volume sensor or other sensor instead of an optical sensor. The stroke sensor 171 is not limited to being disposed in the upper space US, but may also be disposed in the lower space LS or in the left-right direction of the foot lever 100. The stroke sensor 171 is not limited to detecting the position of the first region 100r, but may also detect the position of the second region 100f or the amount of rotation of the shaft 115.

[0101] (6) Either the shaft 115 or the contact portion 125 does not have to have an edge that has an arc in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis. For example, this cross section of the shaft 115 may have a shape with two apex angles. If the distance from the rotation center C to each apex angle is the same, the two apex angles will slide against the contact portion 125, causing the foot lever 100 to rotate.

[0102] (7) Instead of providing contact portion 125 at the portion of bearing 120 that contacts shaft 115, contact portion 125 may be provided at a portion of shaft 115 that contacts the bearing. In this case, shaft 115 may have at least a contact portion disposed at the portion that contacts bearing 120, and a shaft support portion that supports the contact portion from the opposite side of the contact surface. In this case, the contact portion and the shaft support portion are formed from different materials. It is not necessary for a configuration equivalent to contact portion 125 to be provided on either bearing 120 or shaft 115.

[0103] (8) The contact portion 125 may be disposed at a portion where the bearing 120 and the shaft 115 contact each other.

[0104] (9) The contact portion 125 may have two or more regions made of different materials, and the two or more regions may come into contact with the shaft 115.

[0105] (10) At least two of the foot levers 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 may have shapes that differ in at least one of the following respects. (a) Radius of shaft 115 (distance from rotation center C to contact surface) (b) The magnitude of the force applied by the elastic member 155 to the first region 100r (c) The magnitude of the reaction force due to the reaction force adding member 165 (d) Presence or absence of reaction force addition member 165 [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1: Electronic keyboard device, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E: Pedal unit, 81: Control unit, 82: Memory unit, 83: Operation unit, 84: Sound source unit, 85: Display unit, 86: Speaker, 88: Keyboard unit, 89: Key press detection unit, 91: Keyboard body, 93: Support plate, 95: Support column, 100, 100A, 100B: Foot lever, 100c, 100cA, 100cB: Central area, 100r, 100r B: 1st region, 100f, 100fB: 2nd region, 100s1: Top surface, 100s2: Bottom surface, 100fe: Top surface tip portion, 111: Shaft support portion, 112A: Bearing support portion, 113: Connection member, 115 , 115E: Shaft, 115T: Projection, 116B: Correction member, 116Bs: Top surface, 117: Contact member, 117a, 117b: Contact area, 117c: Fixed area, 120,120A: Bearing, 125,1 25A: contact portion, 151, 151C: support member, 153, 153C: support member, 155, 155C: elastic member, 161: protrusion, 165: reaction force adding member, 171, 171C: stroke sensor, 173: contact sensor, 181, 181B: lower stopper, 183, 183B: upper stopper, 185a, 185b: guide member, 185a1, 185b1: inner region, 185a2, 185b2 : outer region, 185a3, 185b3: side region, 187: connecting member, 190, 190A, 190B, 190C: case, 190b, 190bA, 190bB, 190bC: bottom, 190u, 190uB: ceiling, 190f: front, 190r, 190rB: rear, 191A: shaft support, 192: bearing support, 195: auxiliary tool, 198a, 198b: plate-shaped member, 199a, 199b: rib

Claims

1. Case and a foot lever including a first portion located inside the case and a second portion located outside the case, the foot lever being rotatable relative to the case, with a rotation center located between the first portion and the second portion; an elastic member disposed within the case and applying a force to the first portion; an upper surface of the first portion inclines downward from a rotation center side toward an end side of the first portion so as to have an area positioned lower than an upper surface of the second portion; The pedal unit, wherein the elastic member is provided on an inclined portion of the upper surface of the first portion.

2. Case and a foot lever including a first portion located inside the case and a second portion located outside the case, the foot lever being rotatable relative to the case, with a rotation center located between the first portion and the second portion; an elastic member disposed within the case and applying a force to the first portion; the rotation center is located inside the case, At least a part of the area where the shaft forming the rotation center and the bearing face each other overlaps with the second part when the foot lever is viewed from above.

3. Case and a foot lever including a first portion located inside the case and a second portion located outside the case, the foot lever being rotatable relative to the case, with a rotation center located between the first portion and the second portion; an elastic member disposed within the case and applying a force to the first portion; a lower stopper and an upper stopper that define a rotation range of the foot lever in the first portion; a guide member that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever inside the case, a portion of the upper stopper is disposed above the guide member; A pedal unit, wherein a portion of the lower stopper is disposed below the guide member.

4. The pedal unit according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is disposed above the first portion.

5. 5. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a metal spring.

6. 6. The pedal unit according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor disposed at a position higher than the first portion for detecting a position of the foot lever as the foot lever rotates.

7. The pedal unit according to claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the second portion includes a horizontal plane at a predetermined position within a rotation range of the foot lever.

8. 8. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of an upper surface of the second portion of the foot lever is higher than the center of rotation in a rest position and lower than the center of rotation in an end position.

9. The pedal unit according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation center is located lower than the second portion.

10. 10. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein the case has a structure that supports either the shaft or the bearing that forms the rotation center from below the foot lever.

11. 11. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein a width of a portion of the foot lever located directly above the rotation center is wider than a width of a region where a shaft forming the rotation center faces a bearing.

12. The pedal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an edge portion in a cross section of the shaft that forms the rotation center has an arc shape.

13. a shaft fixed to the foot lever and forming the rotation center; The pedal unit according to claim 1 , further comprising: a bearing fixed to the case and forming the rotation center.

14. the rotation center is located inside the case, 14. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an area where the axis forming the rotation center and the bearing face each other overlaps with the second portion when the foot lever is viewed from above.

15. a stopper that supports the first portion of the foot lever from below when the foot lever is in the rest position; The pedal unit according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member applies a force to the first portion between the rotation center and the stopper.

16. a lower stopper and an upper stopper that define a rotation range of the foot lever in the first portion; a guide member that regulates the rotation direction of the foot lever inside the case; and a portion of the upper stopper is disposed above the guide member; 16. The pedal unit according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 4 to claim 15, wherein a portion of the lower stopper is disposed below the guide member.

17. 17. The pedal unit according to claim 3 or claim 16, wherein the guide member is in contact with at least one of the upper stopper and the lower stopper.

18. a guide member that restricts the rotation direction of the foot lever in the first portion; a contact member that is disposed at a first portion of the foot lever and moves while contacting the guide member when the foot lever rotates, the contact member having an integral structure with either a shaft or a bearing that forms the rotation center of the foot lever; 18. A pedal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising:

19. a guide member that restricts the rotation direction of the foot lever in the first portion; a contact member disposed on a first portion of the foot lever, the contact member moving in contact with the guide member when the foot lever rotates; and 19. The pedal unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact member has an area that undergoes elastic deformation and is disposed in a state that applies a restoring force in a direction from the foot lever to the guide member.

20. the guide member has a first guide surface and a second guide surface; the first guide surface is disposed on the opposite side of the foot lever from the second guide surface, 20. The pedal unit of claim 19, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are non-parallel.

21. the guide member has a first guide surface and a second guide surface; the first guide surface is disposed on the opposite side of the foot lever from the second guide surface, 20. The pedal unit according to claim 3, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are parallel to each other.

22. a pedal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 21; a keyboard unit having a plurality of keys; a sound source unit that generates sound signals in response to operations on the keys and operations on the foot lever of the pedal unit; An electronic keyboard device including:

Images