Reverse Engineering of an Alarm Clock

Matt Northam, Eric Packard, Michael Oshikanlu, Neel Patel

Introduction• Early prototype built by Greeks around 250

B.C.• First mechanical clocks were massive and

made in 14th century.• Early alarm clocks were found in Germany in

the early 15th century.• Alarm clocks became popular in late 1870s.

Electrical Engineering

• Power supply: battery or 120V of AC power from wall socket

• Generates a 60 Hz signal

• Screen shows a typical LED seven-segment display

Electrical Components

• Capacitors• Resistors• Transistors• IFT and OSC coil• Tuning Capacitor• Integrated circuit (IC)

chip• Loopstick Antenna• etc

Mechanical Engineering• Hard plastic casing• Controls located at the

top of the clock• Antenna for radio

located internally• Speaker located at top

of the clock

Industrial Engineering

• The alarm clock fits all expected needs,such as an ability to waking the user,easy usage, power cord, etc….

• Performance needs are met with cheapcost, visibility in the dark, reliability,Durability, etc….

• There are no exciting functions of thealarm clock to mention. This is a basiccheap model, with basic functions.

• Business prospects show that the clockwould create a positive income and wouldbe worthwhile producing.

Conclusion

• The purpose of a clock has been to tell time• There have been many way to tell times over

the course of human history.• From Egyptian shadow clocks to Chinese

water clocks.From basic to digital• The alarm clock forcefully tells time, and as

such its most convenient way, is by our beds.

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• We have been able to deconstruct a simple alarm clock.

• In order to think of new way to engineer a better product for the future.

• Taking into account: costs, safety, parts, electronics, materials, design and consumer benefit.

• There will always be a market for scheduled alarm signals.

The Future

• The future is always smaller. Compact• Personal use• Future possibilities for the alarm clock lie in

touch screen as with popular technology.• A smaller design with easy user access, edit and

input. • Rather than a Repeated buzzing as a reminder

of the past. We can opt for enjoyable music for a brighter tomorrow.