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Project help request: Striking a bell manually, alarm clock.

stevef22

May 16, 2023
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Hello! Glad to be here at this forum. My name is Steve. I'm looking for help designing a circuit for an alarm clock bell. The bell is a "singing bowl" struck with a leather mallet.

Variables user can set:

Initial Clock time
Clock Time Zone
Chimes: 1-10
Duration between chimes: .100ms - 5 seconds
Intensity of strike: (not sure how to rate this, ie harder or softer)

Design goal is for a physical mallet to strike the singing bowl via actuated 12v motor. (I can get fancy and design a little wooden figure to strike bowl later)

I'm thinking the clock settings can be built into wooden base via a small analog LCD screen. Or everything configured via super basic app with the above variables listed above, connected via bluetooth. :cool:

My idea isnt novel. This gentleman created a similar invention. Link here:

If interested in helping me please let me know! My skills are soldering, wood working and finishing. Looking forward to your reply!

Simple image diagram of my project: https://ibb.co/g4bLJQj

Thank you, Steve
 

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Bluejets

Oct 5, 2014
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Design goal is for a physical mallet to strike the singing bowl via actuated 12v motor.
Solenoid would be best choice.
Select power (watts) of solenoid , voltage and return spring strength based on trial and error for strike power.

A gear motor driving a cam with a spring loaded plunger would also work however, would need to "home" the motor after each operation.
 

danadak

Feb 19, 2021
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One way would be to get your time from the internet using a ESP8266 or ESP32.

Consider using Tuniot, a block programming language, where you drag and drop functional
blocks and Tuniot generates Arduino code to program into chip.


Can you code, such as C or Basic ?


Regards, Dana.
 

Bluejets

Oct 5, 2014
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Do you know where I can start to program a computer for solenoid?
Don't need a computer.............. simple approach would be an existing clock with alarm function and a pocketful of mod.
Other than that an RTC and Arduino (clone would suffice), some kind of battery or power supply, few extra bits and a lot of study (from what I see so far)
Try Googling for ideas.
 

stevef22

May 16, 2023
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Sorry for the late reply.

I got the manual bits out of the way. (First Solenoid was too short 10mm and didnt sound good)

Please see picture of my current progress. Using 12V 30mm Solenoid.
Picture Link: https://ibb.co/HCz0bcH



Next step is to program an alarm clock.

Alarm clock features:

- Set time
- Set alarm
- Set number of chimes.



Im not sure where to begin on this. Any help much appreciated. Thank you
 

Harald Kapp

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danadak

Feb 19, 2021
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If you want to eliminate need for RTC and just use internet time,

Google "esp8266 internet time" and "esp32 internet time"

Lots of projects on net.


Regards, Dana.
 

stevef22

May 16, 2023
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Thank you for the tips. Im off to research ESP32! I think this is the way I want to go.
 

stevef22

May 16, 2023
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danadak

Feb 19, 2021
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Consider using tuniot to program part in block language.

Note you can run Arduino code in block language, a subroutine example of getting internet time.

1685639335587.png
So use Tuniot example client program, which logs into network you config, and that subroutine will fetch you time.
In fact you can get year and other data as well.


Regards, Dana.
 

danadak

Feb 19, 2021
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What are you asking ?

If you are using ESP32 you will not need Arduino board....


Regards, Dana.
 

Delta Prime

Jul 29, 2020
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(First Solenoid was too short 10mm and didnt sound good)
What frequency sounds good?
The range of frequency tones is very subjective

To create a project involving striking a bell manually using an alarm clock, you can follow these steps:

Materials Needed:

  1. Alarm clock with alarm functionality
  2. Small bell or similar object
  3. Wire or string
  4. Basic tools (e.g., pliers, scissors)
Instructions:

  1. Choose an alarm clock: Select an alarm clock with a loud alarm sound that can be easily heard.
  2. Prepare the bell: Attach a wire or string to the bell, making sure it is securely fastened. This wire or string should be long enough to reach the snooze or off button on the alarm clock.
Sounds a lot like AI.
 

Delta Prime

Jul 29, 2020
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Discover the art of manually striking a bell with an alarm clock
All the bells I have ever stricken with my alarm clock have either broken to pieces or bent beyond all recognition of a bell. I call it... Hitting the snooze button !
 
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