Example Of Report On Technical Description: Analog Alarm Clock

An alarm clock is a timepiece manufactured to include a device that can be set in advance to sound a ringer or buzzer, in order to wakethe user at the preset time. An analog clock displays the time by the position of the clock “hands” on a dial. (Compare with a digital clock which the displays time using a series of digits representing hours, minutes and (optionally) seconds).

Characteristics of the Analog Alarm Clock

A traditional analog alarm clock – as described here and shown in Figure 1 – is powered by clockwork, using springs to store energy in a mechanism to drive the clock and the alarm. The Acctim Saxon model shown is housed in a gold-colored metal case and has dimensions of 16.7 x 11.7 x 6.0cm. The shipping weight is 998g (35.2 ounces).
Designs of analog alarm clocks vary considerably, but all have the common features of a main dial on the front of the clock case, hours and minutes hands to indicate the current time, and a means of setting the time for the alarm to sound; the ringer(s) or buzzer being either inside the clock case, or on the outside as in the example shown. The clock described also features a sweep seconds hand (the red one) and has a small dial within the main dial to show the alarm time set. Note that the main hands (hours & minutes) are luminous – more visible in low light conditions.

Parts of an Analog Alarm Clock

As shown in Figure 1 (b), with the clock back cover and winding knobs removed, the inside of the clock can be seen, which consists of the clockwork mechanism and the link from the Alarm On/Off lever on the top of the clock. The position of that lever determines whether the alarm sounders will be activated when the set alarm time is reached. If the alarm is set and the sounders are activated (by means of the stored energy in the alarm spring (see Figure 1 (c)), the sounders can be silenced by moving the alarm set lever on the top of the clock to the Off position.
This type of clock – in common with most small clocks and wristwatches – utilizes an oscillating wheel to replace the function of the pendulum used in long-case clocks. The wheel and its fine spring can just be seen through the clock mechanism frame at the bottom of Figure 1 (c). In the same Figure, the main spring of the clock is at the upper right, and the alarm spring is at the upper left side. The alarm function has its own set of gears and associated escapement.
Although this design of clock might appear somewhat complex, there are not so many moving parts. Between the main spring and the escapement wheel there is a train of four gears. The shaft on which the fourth gear is mounted provides the drive for the seconds hand. Other parts include an escapement wheel, its anchor and an oscillating wheel plus its spring. For the hours and minutes hands and the alarm hand are another four gears, and there are two additional gears in the mechanism for the alarm striker (or hammer), including one which also functions as an escapement wheel. Analog alarm clocks are reliable and require no external energy source.

Work Cited:

Brain, Marshall. (April 2000). “Inside a Wind-up Alarm Clock.” Web. Accessed 09 April 2015. Available at: HowStuffWorks.com. URL: <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/clocks-watches/inside-clock.htm>.