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Quartz Chiming Clock - Hand Position Sensing?

J

Jeff Wisnia

Jan 1, 1970
0
A friend recently aquired a tall case clock with it's dial still in
place, but with the mechanical movement missing.

I bought a battery powered quartz movement from Klockit and fitted it
into his clock. It works as intended, and he's pleased with the results:

http://www.klockit.com/products/dept-158__sku-BBBSS.html

My curious mind wants to know what sort of sensing this kind of movement
uses to know where the minute and hour hands are pointing so that it can
"strike" the correct number of chimes through it's little speaker.

The striking is definitely linked to the hand positions, as it comes out
correctly even if the batteries are removed for a while.

Do they use a commutator type rotating switch, or perhaps a low power
slow rate blinking LED and a photosensor looking for light to come
through some sort of rotating mask(s) tied to the hand shafts?

Thanks guys,

Jeff
--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
 
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