Input devices, electronic devices, and electronic keyboard instruments
The input device's detachable design addresses the challenge of repairability by enabling easy replacement of the touch detection board, ensuring high repairability and effective touch detection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Conventional touch-type input devices face challenges in repairability due to the difficulty in replacing the touch sensor without replacing the entire device, as the sensor is firmly attached and not easily detachable.
The input device is designed with a detachable structure comprising a touch detection substrate, a control substrate, a reflector, and a case, where the touch detection substrate is sandwiched between the case and the reflector, allowing easy replacement of the touch detection board by detaching the reflector from the case using screw members.
This design enables high repairability and maintains good touch detection capabilities by allowing easy replacement of the touch detection board, while ensuring effective light emission and detection through apertures and reflectors.
Smart Images
Figure 0007896562000001 
Figure 0007896562000002 
Figure 0007896562000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an input device, an electronic device, and an electronic keyboard instrument.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a touch-type input device capable of performing operations such as device setting and adjustment has been provided. Patent Document 1 discloses an input device including a capacitive touch sensor. This input device includes a glass substrate having a touch surface and a capacitive touch sensor provided on the opposite side of the touch surface, a design layer made of printing or a film substrate and disposed on the touch sensor side, a light guide plate, and a circuit board provided with an LED that irradiates a design portion provided on the design layer through the light guide plate, which are laminated and arranged.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The touch sensor is capable of good touch detection by being arranged without providing a space between the touch surface and the touch sensor. Therefore, the touch sensor of a conventional touch-type input device is firmly attached by adhesion or the like so as not to be peeled off from the glass substrate. However, when the touch sensor fails, it is not easy to replace only the touch sensor, and in some cases, the glass substrate to which the touch sensor is attached or the entire input device including the glass substrate is replaced.
[0005] In view of the above points, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device, an electronic device, and an electronic keyboard instrument that are excellent in repairability and capable of good touch detection.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The input device of the present disclosure comprises: a touch detection substrate having a first aperture and a touch pattern provided on the outer periphery of the first aperture; a control substrate having a light-emitting portion; a reflector provided between the touch detection substrate and the control substrate and having a light-reflecting region arranged corresponding to the light-emitting portion; a panel including a touch surface; and a case having a second aperture to which the panel is attached. Light emitted by the light-emitting portion is emitted to the outside through the first and second apertures, and the case and the reflector are detachably fixed by fastening members. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an input device, electronic device, and electronic keyboard instrument that are highly repairable and capable of good touch detection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of an electronic keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. [Figure 2] This is a magnified plan view showing an input device provided on the left key sleeve of an electronic keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the case of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing a touch detection substrate of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the reflector of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 2 of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the VIIIa-VIIIa section of Figure 2, and (b) shows the VIIb-VIIb section of Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic keyboard instrument 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a main body 10 and leg parts 100. The main body 10 comprises a keyboard 20 having a plurality of keys 22 consisting of white keys 22W and black keys 22B, and a main body case 30 on which the keyboard 20 is provided. The leg parts 100 comprises a pair of side plate members 110, a pedal frame 120, and a pedal device 130. In the following, with the keyboard 20 positioned towards the front, the front side (front) of the keyboard 20 in the front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction of the key) FB will be referred to as front side F, the rear side (back) of the keyboard 20 in the front-to-back direction FB will be referred to as rear side B, the left side facing the keyboard 20 will be left side L, the right side will be right side R, the arrangement direction of the plurality of keys of the keyboard 20 will be left-to-right direction LR, and the top of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 in the up-to-down direction UL will be referred to as upper side Up and the bottom as lower side Lo.
[0010] The pair of side panel members 110 are plate-shaped members that are erected on the mounting surface on both the left and right sides of the electronic keyboard instrument 1, with both panel surfaces facing left and right. The pedal frame 120 connects the two side panel members 110 at the underside of the two side panel members 110. The pedal device 130 is located approximately in the center of the pedal frame 120 in the left and right directions (LR). The main body 10 is supported by the legs 100.
[0011] In the main body 10, the main body case 30, when viewed from above, is a roughly rectangular shape with the left-right direction LR as the longitudinal direction, and has plate-like members including a front panel 32 provided on the lower Lo side of the front F of the keyboard 20, a left side panel 34 and a right side panel 35 which are on the left and right sides of the keyboard 20 and connected to the left and right ends of the front panel 32, a front upper panel 36F which is on the upper side Up of the rear B of the keyboard 20 and connected to the left side panel 34 and the right side panel 35, and a rear panel (not shown) which is opposite the front panel 32 and forms the rear surface of the main body case 30, and a bottom panel (not shown) which forms the bottom surface of the main body case 30. A rear upper panel 36B is provided on the rear B of the front upper panel 36F so as to be openable and closable. A music stand 36F1 is attached to the approximate center of the front upper panel 36F in the left-right direction LR.
[0012] The right key sleeve 38R, which is the key sleeve between the keyboard 20 and the right side panel 35, is provided with a volume knob 24 for adjusting the volume and other functions. A power button 32a is provided on the front panel 32 below the right key sleeve 38R. The left key sleeve 38L, which is the key sleeve between the keyboard 20 and the left side panel 34 (located in the position of the clappers in a keyboard instrument), is provided with an input device 200 that allows settings and adjustments of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 by touch operation, as shown in Figure 2.
[0013] As shown in Figure 3, the input device 200 includes a panel 210, a case 220, a light diffusion sheet 230, a touch detection substrate 240, a reflector 250, and a control substrate 260. The panel 210 is a roughly rectangular plate-shaped member made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic, with a long front-to-back direction FB. The top surface of the panel 210 is a touch surface 211 that is touched by fingers or the like during touch operation. The surface of the panel 210 opposite to the touch surface 211 (the bottom surface of the panel 210) is painted black from the bottom side in order to block light from the light-emitting parts 6s of the multiple light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, 6c, which will be described later, except for the light-transmitting parts 11a, 11b, 11c that correspond to the light-emitting parts 6s of the multiple light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, 6c. The light-transmitting parts 11a, 11b, and 11c are arranged in the order of 11a, 11a, 11b, 11a, 11b, 11a, 11c, 11a, 11b, and 11a, starting from the front side F.
[0014] The case 220 is provided in a roughly rectangular box shape, elongated in the front-to-back direction FB. The case 220 has a top plate 221 with its surface facing the vertical direction UL, and the top plate 221 includes a first mounting surface 221a, which is the top surface to which the panel 210 is attached. The case 220 is provided with a front plate 222, a left side plate 223 (see Figure 4), and a right side plate 224, which are provided substantially hanging down from the top plate 221. The rear side B of the case 220 is open. The top plate 221 is slightly inclined (for example, 3 degrees from the horizontal plane) so as to descend from the front side F to the rear side B in accordance with the multiple keys 22 (see also Figure 7). The front plate 222 and the right side plate 224 have upper portions 222a and 224a that extend downward so as to be perpendicular to the inclined top plate 221, while the lower portions 222b and 224b that connect to the upper portions 222a and 224a extend downward so as to be perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The lower portion 222b of the front plate 222 is provided with an elongated rectangular hole 222b1 that is long in the left-right direction LR. The left side plate 223 has a large cutout in its approximate central portion (see Figure 4). The approximate front half of the right side plate 224 is a protruding plate 224b1 that projects downward Lo.
[0015] The front F, right R, and rear B of the top plate 221 are provided with wall-like stepped portions 221c relative to the first mounting surface 221a of the top plate 221. The height of the stepped portion 221c is approximately the same as the thickness of the panel 210. The left side L of the stepped portion 221c is open, and a projection 221c1 is provided at the left end of the rear B of the stepped portion 221c. The case 220 is also provided with a screw hole portion 225 that protrudes from the right R of the rear end to the rear B.
[0016] The lower end of the protruding plate 224b1 of the right side plate 224 is positioned with a clearance from the upper surface of the bottom plate of the main body case 30 to block vibrations during sound production. The screw hole 225 is fixed to the chassis (not shown) of the keyboard 20, which is fixed to the main body case 30. The elongated hole 222b1 of the front plate 222 engages with a sheet metal member (not shown) that is fixed to the main body case 30. In this way, the case 220 is fixed to the main body case 30.
[0017] On the first mounting surface 221a of the upper panel 221, a plurality of openings 2a (second openings) are provided along the front-back direction FB (the longitudinal direction of the upper panel 221). The opening 2a is a substantially long rectangular through-hole having the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, six openings 2a are provided. Between the openings 2a, there are provided three locations where two small rectangular holes are arranged side by side in the left-right direction LR as openings 2b, and one long rectangular opening 2c smaller than the opening 2a. The arrangements of the openings 2a, 2b, 2c of the case 220 correspond to the light-transmitting portions 11a, 11b, 11c of the panel 210. Therefore, the openings 2a, 2b, 2c are arranged in the order of openings 2a, 2a, 2b, 2a, 2b, 2a, 2c, 2a, 2b, 2a from the front side F.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, on the surface opposite to the first mounting surface 221a of the upper panel 221 (that is, the lower surface 221b of the upper panel 221), a total of four bosses 226 are arranged in a substantially long rectangular shape long in the front-back direction FB, two at each of the front side F and the rear side B of the upper panel 221. The boss 226 is provided with an internal thread (fixing member). A tapping screw, which is a fastening member, is fastened while threading inside the boss 226, so that a thread is formed inside the boss 226. Positioning pins 227 are provided near the vicinity between the two bosses 226 on the front side F and near the vicinity between the two bosses 226 on the rear side B. Circular recesses 228 are provided on the lower surface 221b near the base end portion of the left side plate 223, at each of the front side F and the rear side B. Long rectangular recesses 229, which are long in the front-back direction FB, are provided on the lower surface 221b near the base end portion of the right side plate 224, at each of the front side F and the rear side B. A plurality of ribs 22A for connecting to the right side plate 224 are provided on the right edge R of the lower surface 221b. Nine ribs 22A are provided between the two long rectangular recesses 229 in the front and rear. On the inner surface corresponding to the protruding plate 224b1 of the right side plate 224, two ridges 22C, which are long in the up-down direction UL, are provided. The protruding plate 224b1 is reinforced by the ridges 22C, and deformation is suppressed.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the light diffusion sheet 230 is provided in a substantially long rectangular thin sheet shape that is long in the front-rear direction FB and has a function of diffusing light. Circular holes 238 are provided before and after the left side of the light diffusion sheet 230 corresponding to the circular concave portions 228 of the case 220. Further, a locking concave portion 234 that is cut out in a slit shape is provided on the right side R near the front end of the light diffusion sheet 230. A notch-shaped concave portion 235 is provided on the rear side B of the locking concave portion 234.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the touch detection substrate 240 is a substantially long rectangular substrate that is long in the front-rear direction FB and is made of a material that does not transmit light. The touch detection substrate 240 is provided with a plurality of openings 4a (first openings) that penetrate in a substantially long rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction LR. The openings 4a are provided along the front-rear direction FB, and in this embodiment, six openings 4a are provided. Between the openings 4a, three openings 4b in which two small rectangular holes are arranged side by side in the left-right direction LR and one long rectangular opening 4c smaller than the openings 4a are provided. The arrangements of the openings 4a, 4b, and 4c of the touch detection substrate 240 correspond to the light-transmitting portions 11a, 11b, and 11c of the panel 210 and the openings 2a, 2b, and 2c of the case 220. Therefore, the openings 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged in the order of openings 4a, 4a, 4b, 4a, 4b, 4a, 4c, 4a, 4b, 4a in order from the front side F.
[0021] On the outer periphery of the opening 4a on the upper surface 241 of the touch detection substrate 240, a touch pattern 243 shown in FIG. 5 with a mesh pattern is provided in a substantially long rectangular annular shape. The touch pattern 243 is a capacitance-type touch sensor and is provided on the outer periphery of each opening 4a by printing or the like. The touch pattern 243 can detect a change in capacitance inside the substantially long rectangular annulus. That is, the touch pattern 243 detects a change in capacitance in the opening region of the opening 4a (the region where the opening 4a is open).
[0022] A circular through-hole 248a is provided at the front left end F of the touch detection substrate 240, and an elongated through-hole 248b is provided at the rear left end B of the touch detection substrate 240, extending in the front-to-back direction FB. Holes 248a and 248b correspond to the circular recess 228 in the case 220 and the hole 238 in the light diffusion sheet 230.
[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the reflector 250 is provided in a roughly elongated rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction FB. The reflector 250 has a roughly elongated rectangular plate-shaped reflector body 251. The front and rear ends of the reflector body 251 have four legs 256 that bulge out in the left-to-right direction LR and are formed downward in a crank shape. Each leg 256 is provided with a screw hole 256a for screw mounting through which a screw member 25b (fastening member) is inserted. The lower surface of the reflector body 251 is a second mounting surface 253.
[0024] The reflector body 251 is provided with multiple light reflection areas 5a, 5b, and 5c. Light reflection area 5a is a roughly elongated rectangle that is long in the left-right direction (LR) and is a frustoconical hole that expands toward the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251. The peripheral edge 5a1 on the second mounting surface 253 side of the reflector body 251 where the light reflection area 5a opens is a vertical wall (see Figures 8(a) and 8(b)). Light reflection area 5b is a roughly elongated rectangle that is slightly long in the front-back direction (FB) and consists of two frustoconical holes arranged side by side in the left-right direction (LR), which expand toward the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251. Light reflection area 5c is a roughly elongated rectangle that is slightly smaller than light reflection area 5a and is a frustoconical hole that expands toward the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251.
[0025] Six light-reflecting regions 5a are provided in the front-to-back direction FB, three light-reflecting regions 5b are provided between three light-reflecting regions 5a, and one light-reflecting region 5c is provided between one light-reflecting region 5a. The arrangement of the light-reflecting regions 5a, 5b, and 5c corresponds to the light-transmitting portions 11a, 11b, and 11c of the panel 210, the openings 4a, 4b, and 4c of the touch detection substrate 240, and the openings 2a, 2b, and 2c of the case 220. Therefore, the light-reflecting regions 5a, 5b, and 5c are arranged in the order of 5a, 5a, 5b, 5a, 5b, 5a, 5c, 5a, 5b, and 5a from the front side F.
[0026] On the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251, positioning pins 258 are provided on the left side L of the portion that bulges out to the left and right at the front and rear ends. On the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251, hook-shaped restricting portions 259 are provided on the right side R of the portion that bulges out to the left and right at the front and rear ends. A locking projection 254 is provided in front of the restricting portion 259 on the front side F. A protruding plate portion 25A that protrudes in a tongue shape towards the front side F is provided approximately in the center of the left-right direction LR at the front end of the reflector body 251. A notched recess 257a is provided in the protruding plate portion 25A. A through-circular hole 257b is provided approximately in the center of the left-right direction LR at the rear end of the reflector body 251.
[0027] On the right side R of the second mounting surface 253, positioning pins 25D protruding downward Lo are provided at both the front and rear. The positioning pins 25D correspond to the front and rear holes 248a and elongated holes 248b of the touch detection substrate 240, the hole 238 of the light diffusion sheet 230, and the recess 228 of the case 220. In addition, the rear end of the reflector body 251 is provided with an elongated rectangular hole 254a that is long in the left-right direction LR, and a recess 254b at approximately the left center edge of the front-back direction FB. The hole 254a and recess 254b are intended to avoid interference with the input device 200 and other electronic components provided on the substrate.
[0028] The reflector 250 is integrally provided by a resin material. In this embodiment, the reflector 250 is made of a white resin material so that light from the light-emitting parts 6s of the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c is easily reflected in the light-reflecting regions 5a, 5b, and 5c.
[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the control board 260 is a roughly rectangular board that is long in the front-to-back direction FB and is made of a material that does not transmit light. The control board 260 is provided with multiple light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c, each having multiple light-emitting units 6s. In this embodiment, the light-emitting units 6s are LEDs. In the light-emitting region 6a, except for the second light-emitting region 6a1 from the front, three LEDs are arranged in the left-to-right direction LR. In the second light-emitting region 6a1 from the front, five LEDs are arranged in the left-to-right direction LR. In the light-emitting region 6b, two LEDs are arranged in the left-to-right direction LR.
[0030] The arrangement of the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c corresponds to the light-transmitting portions 11a, 11b, and 11c of the panel 210, the light-reflecting regions 5a, 5b, and 5c, the openings 4a, 4b, and 4c of the touch detection substrate 240, and the openings 2a, 2b, and 2c of the case 220. Therefore, the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c are arranged in the order of 6a, 6a1(6a), 6b, 6a, 6b, 6a, 6c, 6a, 6b, and 6a, starting from the front F. The width (length in the left-right direction LR) of the LEDs at the left and right ends of the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c is approximately the same. Therefore, the light-emitting region 6a1, where five LEDs are arranged, has the narrowest spacing between adjacent LEDs, while the light-emitting region 6b, where two LEDs are arranged, has the widest spacing between adjacent LEDs.
[0031] The control board 260 has an elongated hole 26D1 that extends through in the front-to-back direction FB on the front side F of the right side R, and a circular hole 26D2 that extends through on the rear side B. The elongated hole 26D1 and hole 26D2, which are through holes, correspond to the front and rear positioning pins 25D of the second mounting surface 253 of the reflector 250. The control board 260 is also provided with an IC chip (not shown) that controls the lighting of the LEDs in the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c.
[0032] Panel 210 is attached to the first mounting surface 221a of case 220. The front, rear, and right-side R edges of panel 210 are positioned on the first mounting surface 221a in close proximity to or in contact with the stepped portion 221c of case 220. Panel 210 and the first mounting surface 221a can be attached using an adhesive, including double-sided tape.
[0033] The touch detection board 240 is sandwiched between the lower surface 221b of the top plate 221, which is opposite to the first mounting surface 221a of the case 220, and the upper surface 252 of the reflector body 251, which is opposite to the second mounting surface 253 of the reflector 250. Specifically, it is mounted as follows.
[0034] The touch detection board 240 is positioned relative to the reflector 250 by the right edge of the touch detection board 240 engaging with the restricting portion 259 of the reflector body 251, thereby restricting its vertical movement. Simultaneously, the front and rear positioning pins 258 of the reflector 250 are inserted into the front and rear holes 248a and elongated holes 248b of the touch detection board 240, respectively. In this way, the touch detection board 240 is positioned relative to the reflector 250. The elongated holes 248b absorb dimensional errors between the positioning pins 258.
[0035] A light-diffusing sheet 230 is provided between the lower surface 221b of the case 220 and the touch detection substrate 240. Positioning pins 258 of the reflector 250 are inserted into holes 238 of the light-diffusing sheet 230. Since high-precision positioning is not required for the light-diffusing sheet 230, the positioning pins 258 are loosely fitted to avoid interference with the holes 238. In addition, the locking recesses 234 of the light-diffusing sheet 230 lock with the locking projections 254 of the reflector 250, restricting the movement of the light-diffusing sheet 230 relative to the reflector 250 and the touch detection substrate 240. The recesses 235 of the light-diffusing sheet 230 prevent interference between the light-diffusing sheet 230 and the restricting portion 259 on the front side F of the reflector 250. Depending on the diffusivity of the light emitted from the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, and 6c, the light-diffusing sheet 230 may be omitted.
[0036] The control board 260 is attached to the second mounting surface 253 of the reflector 250. At this time, the elongated hole 26D1 on the front side F of the control board 260 is inserted into the positioning pin 25D on the front side F of the reflector 250, and the positioning pin 25D on the rear side B of the reflector 250 is inserted into the hole 26D2 on the rear side B of the control board 260. In this way, the control board 260 is positioned relative to the reflector 250. The control board 260 and the reflector 250 can be fixed together using an adhesive including double-sided tape.
[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the reflector 250 is fixed to the case 220 by screwing a threaded member 25b (fastening member) into a boss 226 via a threaded hole 256a in the leg portion 256 of the reflector 250. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, when the reflector 250 is fixed to the case 220, the notched recess 257a at the front end of the reflector 250 engages with the positioning pin 227 on the front side F of the case 220, and the positioning pin 227 on the rear side B of the case 220 is inserted into the hole 257b of the reflector 250, thereby positioning the reflector 250 relative to the case 220.
[0038] Furthermore, the recess 228 in the case 220 prevents interference between the positioning pin 258 of the reflector 250 and the top plate 221 of the case 220. Similarly, the elongated rectangular recess 229 in the case 220 prevents interference between the restricting portion 259 of the reflector 250 and the top plate 221 of the case 220. In addition, the multiple ribs 22A of the case 220 are close to or in contact with the right edge end face of the reflector body 251, and also provide rigidity to the case 220. As a result, the multiple ribs 22A provide a sense of rigidity when the user operates the touch switch.
[0039] In this way, once the input device 200 is assembled, the panel 210, the top plate 221 of the case 220, the touch detection substrate 240, the reflector 250, and the control substrate 260 are stacked as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b). Here, the light-emitting part 6s, which is an LED in the light-emitting region 6a, is positioned within the area of the opening 4a of the touch detection substrate 240 (the range in which the opening 4a is opened when viewed from vertically above the touch surface 211). Furthermore, the light-emitting part 6s of the light-emitting region 6a is positioned corresponding to the light-reflecting region 5a of the reflector 250. In other words, the light-emitting part 6s of the light-emitting region 6a is positioned within the area in which the light-reflecting region 5a is opened on the second mounting surface 253, which is the lower surface of the reflector body 251. The opening 2a of the case 220 (top plate 221) is positioned within the area of the opening 4a of the touch detection substrate 240. In other words, the opening 4a of the touch detection substrate 240 is larger than the opening 2a of the case 220, and the case 220 (top panel 221) is positioned directly above the touch pattern 243.
[0040] In the input device 200 configured in this way, even if the touch pattern 243 of the touch detection board 240 malfunctions, the touch detection board 240 can be easily removed by removing the reflector 250, which is fixed to the case 220 by a screw member 25b (fastening member). In other words, the case and reflector are detachably fixed by a screw member 25b (fastening member). Furthermore, since there is no air layer directly above the touch pattern 243 and the lower surface 221b of the upper plate 221 of the case 220 is in close proximity to or in contact with it, touch detection by the touch pattern 243 can be performed well.
[0041] Here, as mentioned above, the bottom surface of panel 210 is painted black, but the areas other than those corresponding to the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, 6c and the apertures 4a, 4b, 4c, 2a, 2b, 2c are painted black so that the light from the light-emitting parts 6s of the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, 6c is visible. The parts of panel 210 that are not painted black are translucent parts 11a, 11b, 11c through which light passes, corresponding to the light-emitting regions 6a, 6b, 6c and the apertures 4a, 4b, 4c, 2a, 2b, 2c. The light emitted by the light-emitting part 6s is emitted to the outside through the apertures 4a, 4b, 4c, apertures 2a, 2b, 2c, and further through the translucent parts 11a, 11b, 11c.
[0042] More specifically, the translucent sections 11a, 11b, and 11c are provided with printed or otherwise indicated characters, symbols, etc., that represent the content to be operated by touch, so that they can be recognized by the light transmitted through them. Specifically, the characters, etc., are printed in a dark color so that the area around them is slightly shielded from light, and the characters, etc., are made transparent. Here, as shown in Figure 8(b), the area of the translucent section 11a on which the characters are written is defined as the display area T. The center CT in the left-right direction LR of the display area T is set to the right of the center CH in the left-right direction LR of the apertures 2a, 4a and the light reflection area 5a. In other words, the center CT is offset from the center CH.
[0043] The input device 200 is disposed in the left key sleeve 38L on the left side L. Therefore, when viewed from the performer located approximately at the center in the left-right direction LR of the keyboard 20, as shown by the line of sight E, the display range T will be viewed from the upper right. If the center CT of the display range T is aligned with the center CH of the openings 2a, 4a and the light reflection region 5a, the left end T3 of the display range T will be close to the edge on the left side L of the opening 2a. Then, as shown by the line of sight E, since the vicinity of the left end T3 of the display range T is located further to the left side L than the edge on the left side L of the opening 2a when viewed from the performer, the light from the light emission region 6a does not transmit, and the characters near the left end among the characters described in the display range T may appear missing. Therefore, the center CT of the display range T is disposed on the right side R of the center CH of the openings 2a, 4a and the light reflection region 5a. Note that since the line of sight E does not overlap with the right side R of the opening 2a for the characters at the right end of the display range T, they can be visually recognized even when approaching the edge of the opening 2a. That is, as shown in the enclosed figure of FIG. 2, the region TL on the left side L of the display range T and the region TR on the right side R of the display range T are set such that TR < TL.
[0044] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the input device 200 includes a touch detection substrate 240 having an opening 4a as a first opening, with a touch pattern 243 provided on the outer periphery of the opening 4a, a control substrate 260 having a light emission part 6s, a reflector 250 provided between the touch detection substrate 240 and the control substrate 260 and disposed corresponding to the light emission part 6s, including a panel 210 having a touch surface 211, a case 220 having an opening 2a as a second opening to which the panel 210 is attached. The light emitted by the light emission part 6s is emitted to the outside through the opening 4a and the opening 2a, and the case 220 and the reflector 250 are detachably fixed by a screw member 25b which is a fastening member. That is, the opening area of the second opening (opening 2a) is smaller than the opening area of the first opening (opening 4a).
[0045] As a result, the touch detection board 240 is sandwiched between the lower surface 221b of the top plate 221 of the case 220 and the upper surface 252 of the reflector 250. Therefore, even if the touch pattern fails, only the touch detection board 240 can be easily replaced by simply removing the reflector 250 from the case 220. Furthermore, since the lower surface 221b of the top plate 221 of the case 220 is positioned directly above the touch pattern, the air gap is eliminated, allowing for good touch detection.
[0046] Furthermore, a light-diffusing sheet 230 is provided between the case 220 and the touch detection substrate 240. This allows diffused light to be irradiated onto the light-transmitting portion 11a of the panel 210, even when a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED is used in the light-emitting portion 6s, thereby enabling the light-transmitting portion 11a to light up uniformly.
[0047] Furthermore, the reflector 250 and the touch detection substrate 240 are positioned by positioning pins 258. This makes it easy to position the touch pattern 243 relative to the panel 210 once the position of the reflector 250 relative to the case 220 is determined.
[0048] Furthermore, the touch surface 211 is provided with a display area T for characters, symbols, etc., which are placed within the area of the opening 2a. This makes setting operations easier and improves the design by providing an illuminated touch panel.
[0049] Light emitted by the light-emitting unit is released to the outside through the first and second apertures. The display area T has a center CT that is offset from the left-right center CH of the aperture 2a, etc. As a result, even when viewing the input device 200 from an oblique direction, the edges of characters and other elements displayed in the display area T can be seen clearly without being cut off.
[0050] Furthermore, the electronic keyboard instrument 1, as an electronic device, is equipped with an input device 200 on the key sleeve. This makes it possible to provide an electronic keyboard instrument 1 (electronic instrument) equipped with an input device 200 that is highly repairable and capable of good touch detection. The electronic device also comprises an input device, a control unit, and an output device that outputs in response to the input from the input device.
[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is determined based on the claims. Furthermore, equivalent scopes of the present invention that have been modified from the claims but are not related to the essence of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0052] 1. Electronic keyboard instrument 2a,2b,2c opening 4a,4b,4c opening 5a,5b,5c Light reflective area 5a1 Periphery 6a, 6a1, 6b, 6c Emitting regions 6s Light-emitting part 10 Main body 11a,11b,11c Transparent part 20 keys 22 keys 22A Rib 22B Black Key 22C protrusion 22W white key 25A Protruding plate portion 25D Positioning pin 25b Screw member 26D1 Long hole 26D2 Hole 26D2 Slotted Hole 30 Main Case 32 Front panel 32a Power button 34 Left side plate 35 Right side plate 36B Rear top plate 36F Front top plate 36F1 Music Stand 38L Left Key Sleeve 38R Right key sleeve 100 Legs 110 Side panel member 120 Pedal frame 130 pedal devices 200 input devices 210 Panel 211 Touch surface 220 Case 221 Top Panel 221a 1st mounting surface 221b Bottom surface 221c Step 221c1 Protrusion 222 Front panel 222a Upper part 222b Lower part 222b1 Long hole 223 Left side plate 224 Right side plate 224a Upper part 224b Lower part 224b1 Protruding plate 225 Screw hole 226 Boss 227 Positioning pin 228 Recessed area 229 Long rectangular recessed area 230 Light diffusing sheet 234 Locking recess 235 recess 238 hole 240 Touch detection board 241 Top view 243 Touch pattern 248a Hole 248b Slotted hole 250 Reflector 251 Reflector body 252 Top surface 253 Second mounting surface 254 Locking projection 254a Hole 254b Recess 256 Leg 256a hole 257a Notched recess 257b Hole 258 Positioning pin 259 Regulating part 260 Control board
Claims
1. A touch detection substrate having a first opening and a touch pattern provided on the outer periphery of the first opening, A control board having a light-emitting section, A reflector provided between the touch detection substrate and the control substrate, and having a light-reflecting region arranged corresponding to the light-emitting portion, A panel including a touch surface, A case having a second opening, to which the panel is attached, Equipped with, The light emitted by the light-emitting unit is emitted to the outside through the first aperture and the second aperture. The case and the reflector are detachably fixed by fastening members. Input device.
2. The opening region of the second opening is smaller than the opening region of the first opening. The input device according to claim 1.
3. A light-diffusing sheet is provided between the case and the touch detection substrate. The input device according to claim 1.
4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch detection substrate is positioned by positioning pins provided on the reflector.
5. The touch surface includes a display area for characters or symbols within the region of the second opening. The input device according to claim 1.
6. The aforementioned display range has a center that is offset from the center of the second opening. The input device according to claim 5.
7. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Output device and Electronic devices including those mentioned.
8. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Keyboard and The input device is located at the position of a wooden clapper adjacent to the keyboard. Electronic keyboard instrument.