Keyboard Device Pivot Point Standardization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard devices for electronic musical instruments require a large variety of components to achieve a key touch feeling and appearance similar to an acoustic piano, leading to high costs and low productivity due to the need for different pivot points and stopper positions for each pitch, resulting in varying rocking angles and assembly complexities.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard device adjusts the pivot point position in the longitudinal direction for all keys, maintains a consistent rocking angle and maximum depth for all hammers, and uses a unified stopper system, reducing the number of components and costs by standardizing the position of hammer and key-operation detecting units, allowing for easier assembly and detection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the pivot point position is adjusted for each key to achieve consistent key appearance and tilt angle, then the key appearance and tilt angle are standardized, but the number of components increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the hammer pivot point position independent of key pitch. A single pivot point position is used for all hammers across different pitches, allowing the same hammer component to serve multiple keys. This standardization reduces the variety of components needed while maintaining consistent key appearance and tilt angle through the engagement position mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional roles of different hammer portions. The pivot point position is standardized for structural consistency, while the engagement position with the key is specifically optimized for each key pitch. This allows the hammer to have uniform pivot characteristics while adapting locally to different key requirements through the engagement position.
2Ease of operation
If different hammer pivot point positions are used for different pitches, then the key touch feeling can be optimized, but the variety of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single pivot point position for all hammers regardless of pitch. This allows the same hammer component design to be used across all keys, significantly reducing assembly complexity. The key touch feeling is maintained through optimization of the engagement position between the hammer and key, which can vary by pitch without requiring different pivot points.
3Productivity
If the engagement position between hammer and key is standardized, then the number of components is reduced, but the key touch feeling may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the engagement position to vary according to key pitch while keeping the hammer pivot point position standardized. This localized adaptation at the engagement point optimizes key touch feeling for each pitch without requiring different hammer components, thus maintaining productivity benefits from standardization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A keyboard device includes plural white and black keys 11w, 11b that rock according to a key depression/release operation. Positions of key support portions 13w, 13b supporting the plural white and black keys 11 b, 11w in the longitudinal direction are set to be different from one another. The keyboard device also includes hammers 16w, 16b that rock with the rocking movement of the plural white and black keys 11w, 11b. The plural white and black keys 11w, 11b include drive units 11w1, 11b1 that drive the hammers 16w, 16b. The drive units 11w1, 11b1 and the pivot centers of the hammers are located on the same straight line extending in the lateral direction. An upper-limit stopper 21 and a lower-limit stopper 20, which restrict the rocking movement of the hammers 16w, 18b, are provided to extend in the lateral direction.