Spiral Analog Clock
Minimalist Time Piece to the Nearest 5 Minutes
Challenges
1. Applying dot pattern to disc
Printing directly onto opaque white acrylic is one possibility. But other materials/options need to be explored during my prototyping.
Pros
1. Coding should be identical because like Lux this clock will run uninterrupted in a clockwise direction.
2. Same lighting system as for Lux if it turns out lighting is required.
3. Case made on lathe-that's fun!
4. Like Orbit this clock mechanism may be inserted through the front and locked in place with magnets.
Cherry cone ebonized as per legs of Lux
Original Nelson Design 6.75" h | 5.8" w | 6" d
My clock will probably increase dimensions of cone by x2.
Time to the Nearest 5 Minutes
The clock is comprised of a moving black disc with a window (slot) through which a "spiral" dot pattern is visible. The disc revels the hour by the direction the window is pointing and the dots inside the window reveal time to the nearest 5 minutes. The time is told by the moment the top of a dot touches the upper edge of the slot. The first two hours of the video show how LEDs can be used to light up the dot to emphasize the current 5 minute interval. Lots of variations are possible and in the end the simplest approach may be the best.
Concentric Circles Used to Place Dots
Dots placed on paper, acrylic, etc.
Motor with axle
connected to disc
Dots placed on
paper, acrylic, etc.
The dots are placed by hand using equally spaced circles. Here the circles are spaced 0.5" apart. As the slot rotates the dot placed such that it is centered on the circle and the top of the dot just touches the upper edge of the slot.
Below is stuff only for those seeking the truth:
1. How to plot the dots using equations
2. An alternative dot configuration
Slot = 3" and starts 1" from center
Here I'm following Bill's lead by using concentric circles. As shown below using this approach and sine and cosine functions I was able to generate a plot that overlaps with the "handmade" graphical representation as shown in the animation.
In the above diagram I show concentric circles that differ by 1" in diameter so they are spaced 0.5" a part, i.e., 1/6th the length of the 3" slot. Here the slot has no thickness, T, for purposes of simplicity and illustration.
The clock will always tell the correct time on the hour and at all 10 minute intervals (i.e., 1/6th increments along the length of the slot) after the hour. These 10 minute intervals will be made apparent either by marks on the curve or the slot. In this case these intervals occur where arrows touch the circles.
The values (x,y) coordinates generated with the equations were plotted with Excel (low tech, I know) for distinct angles of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees. I plugged the values into Excel and generated the plot shown below and it matches the "handmade" plots as per the animation.
H= D + L (Ꝋ/30) = 1 + Ꝋ/10 when D=1 and L=3.
x=HcosꝊ
y=HsinꝊ
X
D=
Note: below, the dots are placed in front of the black disc in order to demonstrate how they are aligned every ten minutes with the marks spaced at intervals of L/6, where L is the length of the slot.
Below shows an approach that may make it easier to confirm when the clock is at the correct interval of 10 minutes past the hour. At the top of each hour the green rectangle is in full alignment with the left inside edge of the slot. Every 10 minutes, i.e., 5 degrees, a circle on the top edge of the slot fits inside it's corresponding ring (blue). Each hour ends as it began with the complete green rectangle visible inside the slot.
"DABs Clocks is a unique business that focuses on finding ways to display time in unconventional ways. The goal is to create time pieces that are both functionally and aesthetically pleasing. Please explore the gallery and contact me if you have any questions.