dripping clock
By introducing a dripping module, a sound-generating module, and a control system into the dripping timer, the problems of limited functionality and high production costs of existing dripping timers are solved, achieving a dynamic music experience with artistic appeal and improved ease of use.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 上海视觉艺术学院
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
Smart Images
Figure CN224457237U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of clock technology, and in particular to a drip clock. Background Technology
[0002] As people's quality of life improves, their demands for home furnishings are no longer limited to simple practical functions, but increasingly emphasize the combination of artistic beauty, decorative appeal, and emotional experience. Traditional timekeeping tools, such as clocks, while able to tell the time accurately, are often relatively simple in design and interactive experience, making it difficult to meet consumers' pursuit of personalized and artistic living spaces.
[0003] As an alternative, water clocks (or drip clocks) have gained attention for their unique timekeeping method and Zen-like aesthetics. However, existing water clocks generally suffer from the following shortcomings:
[0004] First, in terms of functionality and aesthetics, most products are single-function, serving only as simple timers or purely decorative items. Their aesthetic appeal and interactivity need improvement, making it difficult to provide users with a rich sensory or spiritual experience while offering timekeeping functionality.
[0005] Secondly, at the manufacturing level, many drip timers rely on traditional handcrafting techniques. This not only leads to high production costs, making it difficult to achieve mass production to meet market demand, but also makes it difficult to effectively guarantee the accuracy and quality consistency of the products, affecting their reliability.
[0006] Secondly, in terms of user experience, some of the more complex drip timers are not intuitive in structure, and users may need to spend time learning how to set and calibrate them correctly when using them for the first time, which reduces the ease of use of the product.
[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the market for an innovative timing device that is both aesthetically pleasing and interactive, and that can overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies in terms of production costs, product consistency, and ease of use. Utility Model Content
[0008] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defects of complex structure in the prior art and provide a dripping water.
[0009] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:
[0010] A drip clock is provided, comprising a housing, wherein the housing contains:
[0011] A dripping module, comprising a dripping device for storing and dripping water, for generating periodically falling water droplets;
[0012] A sound-generating module is located directly below the dripping device, and includes a rotatably mounted percussion instrument and a drive motor mechanically connected to the percussion instrument to drive its rotation.
[0013] The percussion instrument has multiple different registers;
[0014] A control system, connected to the drive motor, is used to control the operation of the drive motor so that water droplets fall sequentially onto different registers of the percussion instrument, thereby producing a time-varying musical sequence.
[0015] Optionally, the sound-generating module further includes a support component, through which the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the bottom center of the percussion instrument to transmit rotational motion to the percussion instrument.
[0016] Optionally, the percussion instrument is an ethereal drum, and a grid plate with a central through hole is horizontally fixed between the water outlet of the dripping device and the tongue of the ethereal drum.
[0017] Optionally, the dripping module includes a capacitive liquid level sensor for detecting the water level in the dripping module, and triggering the control system to start running when the water level reaches a preset threshold.
[0018] Optionally, a water storage module is also included, located below the sound-generating module, for collecting water dripping from the percussion instrument.
[0019] Optionally, the water storage module includes a funnel and a water receiving container, the funnel being positioned above the water receiving container to guide water flow into the water receiving container.
[0020] Optionally, a guide ring for the path of the falling water droplets is provided between the dripping module and the percussion instrument.
[0021] Optionally, the ethereal drum is a flat, hollow, round metal body with multiple tongues of different frequencies on its top surface.
[0022] Optionally, a charging port is provided on the lower side wall of the housing, and the charging port is electrically connected to the control system and internal electronic components via a wire.
[0023] Optionally, the control system is an Arduino circuit board, which is fixedly installed inside the housing.
[0024] Based on common knowledge in the field, the above-mentioned preferred conditions can be combined arbitrarily to obtain various preferred embodiments of this utility model.
[0025] The significant advancements of this invention lie in its ability to precisely drive percussion instruments with multiple different registers through a control system. This allows periodically falling water droplets to strike different registers according to a preset program, creating a rhythmic and aesthetically pleasing musical sequence that changes over time. This overcomes the limitations of traditional water-drop timers with their monotonous sound, elevating the simple timing function into a dynamic, programmable musical art device, greatly enhancing the product's aesthetic value and the user's sensory experience. Attached Figure Description
[0026] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the components of the drip clock in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the drip clock according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;
[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0029] 1. Drip device, 2. Capacitive liquid level sensor, 3. Grid plate, 4. Flow guide ring, 5. Hollow drum, 6. Support component, 7. Peripheral part of drip clock, 8. Charging port, 9. Funnel, 10. Positioning support component, 11. Rechargeable battery, 12. Stepper motor, 13. Arduino motherboard, 14. Connecting component, 15. Water receiving container. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The present invention will be further illustrated by way of embodiments below, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.
[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0033] Example 1
[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a drip clock, including a housing 7, within which:
[0035] A dripping module, comprising a dripping device 1 for storing and dripping water, for generating periodically falling water droplets;
[0036] The sound-generating module is located directly below the dripping device 1 and includes a rotatable percussion instrument 5 and a drive motor 12 mechanically connected to the percussion instrument 5 to drive its rotation.
[0037] The percussion instrument 5 has multiple different registers;
[0038] The control system 13 is connected to the drive motor 12. The control system 13 is used to control the operation of the drive motor 12 so that water droplets fall sequentially on different registers of the percussion instrument 5, thereby producing a time-varying musical sequence.
[0039] In this design, once the dripping clock is activated, the dripping module begins to drip water regularly. Simultaneously, the control system 13 sends commands to the drive motor 12 according to an internally set time algorithm. Upon receiving the commands, the drive motor 12 precisely rotates a specific angle, thereby rotating the ethereal drum and aligning a specific tone tongue on it with the path of the falling water droplets. The water droplets fall, striking the tone tongues and producing a crisp musical sound. As time progresses, the control system 13 continuously controls the ethereal drum to rotate intermittently or continuously, causing the water droplets to strike different tone tongues in sequence, forming a preset melody or musical sequence.
[0040] Transforming the abstract passage of time into a concrete and melodious musical sequence completely changes the monotonous way traditional timers announce the time. It is not only a timekeeping tool, but also a dynamic and artistically expressive musical device, greatly enhancing the product's aesthetics, fun, and added value, and creating a tranquil and meditative atmosphere for users.
[0041] As one possible implementation, the sound-generating module also includes a connecting component 14, through which the output shaft of the drive motor 12 is fixedly connected to the bottom center of the percussion instrument 5, so as to transmit rotational motion to the percussion instrument 5.
[0042] In this design, the connecting component 14 (e.g., a flange or custom connector) plays a crucial role in stabilizing and precisely transmitting power. One end of the connecting component 14 is rigidly connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 12, while the other end is firmly fixed to the center of the bottom surface of the percussion instrument 5. When the motor 12 rotates, torque is transmitted to the percussion instrument 5 without loss and concentrically through the connecting component 14. This ensures that the percussion instrument 5 can rotate smoothly and without wobbling around its geometric center. This precise concentric rotation is fundamental to ensuring that the water droplets accurately hit each target tongue, effectively avoiding striking failures or pitch deviations caused by vibration or eccentricity, and significantly improving the reliability of the device's operation and the accuracy of musical performance.
[0043] As one possible approach, a grid plate 3 with a central through hole is horizontally fixed between the water outlet of the dripping device 1 and the tongue of the ethereal drum.
[0044] In this design, the grid plate 3 serves as a physical guide. Its working principle is as follows: water droplets falling from the dripping device 1 must pass through the through-hole in the center of the grid plate 3 before reaching the ethereal drum. This through-hole acts as a "calibration" path; any water droplets that slightly deviate due to surface tension or airflow are constrained by the edge of the through-hole, thus being forcibly guided onto a very precise vertical falling trajectory. This improves the accuracy of the water droplet strikes, eliminates external interference, and ensures that each droplet accurately hits the tongued tongue below, making it a key structure for achieving complex and rapid note sequences, guaranteeing the stability and repeatability of the musical effect.
[0045] In one possible implementation, the dripping module includes a capacitive liquid level sensor 2 for detecting the water level in the dripping module, and triggering the control system 13 to start operating when the water level reaches a preset threshold.
[0046] In this design, the capacitive liquid level sensor 2 is typically attached to the outer sidewall of the dripping device 1. Its working principle is based on the fact that water's dielectric constant is much greater than that of air. When the water level in the container rises and reaches the height of sensor 2, it causes a significant change in the capacitance value detected by sensor 2. Sensor 2 converts this change into an electrical signal and sends it to the control system 13, thus achieving automated start-up of the device. The user only needs to add water to the dripping device 1; once the water level reaches the target, the device automatically starts timing and playing, requiring no additional switching operations, thus improving the product's intelligence and user convenience. Simultaneously, the non-contact detection method avoids the problem of water corrosion of sensor 2, extending its service life.
[0047] As one possible approach, a water storage module is also included, located below the sound-generating module, for collecting water dripping from the percussion instrument 5.
[0048] In this design, the water storage module uses gravity to collect all water that drips or splashes from the surface of the hollow drum above. This keeps the device and its surrounding environment clean and dry, preventing water stains; collecting used water creates conditions for water recycling, embodying an environmentally friendly and sustainable design concept, and extending the device's single-cycle operating time.
[0049] In one possible implementation, the water storage module includes a funnel 9 and a water receiving container 15, wherein the funnel 9 is disposed above the water receiving container 15 for guiding water flow into the water receiving container 15.
[0050] In this design, the funnel 9, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, is utilized. The funnel 9 is positioned on the positioning support component 10. Its wide upper opening can collect water dripping from all directions of the hollow drum to the maximum extent. The collected water is then gathered and precisely guided through its conical inner wall into the smaller opening of the lower water receiving container 15. This improves the efficiency of water recovery and effectively prevents water splashing. The structure is reliable and cost-effective, achieving efficient collection and guidance of water flow.
[0051] As one possible approach, a guide ring 4 for the path of the falling water droplets is provided between the dripping module and the percussion instrument 5.
[0052] In this design, the guide ring 4 is an optional or supplementary stabilizing device. By setting a ring structure to constrain the falling range of the water droplets, it ensures that they always remain in the central area. This provides double protection or an alternative solution for the precise falling of the water droplets, further enhancing the reliability of the system and ensuring stable performance.
[0053] As one possible approach, the ethereal drum is a flat, hollow, round metal body with multiple tongues of different frequencies on its top surface.
[0054] In this design, the ethereal drum serves as the core of the sound production. When a water droplet strikes a metal tongue with a certain impact force, the tongue vibrates at a specific frequency, resonating through the hollow drum body to produce a melodious and ethereal sound. Different sizes and shapes of tongues correspond to different vibration frequencies, thus producing different pitches. The unique timbre of the ethereal drum is tranquil and clear, perfectly matching the Zen-like and meditative atmosphere that the water-drop timer aims to create. Its integrated multi-range structure is ideal for switching notes through rotation.
[0055] As one possible approach, a charging port 8 is provided on the lower side wall of the housing 7, and the charging port 8 is electrically connected to the control system 13 and internal electronic components via wires.
[0056] In this design, charging port 8 provides power to the entire electronic system of the device. By connecting an external power adapter, the rechargeable battery 11 is charged, and a stable operating voltage is provided to electronic components such as the control system 13 and the drive motor 12.
[0057] As one possible approach, the control system is an Arduino board 13, which is fixedly mounted inside the housing 7.
[0058] In this solution, the Arduino motherboard 13 serves as the control core of the entire drip clock. It receives the start signal from the capacitive liquid level sensor 2, and then, according to the pre-programmed firmware code, sends precise pulse signals to the driver board of the drive motor 12 via its I / O pins at set time intervals and sequences, thereby controlling the rotation angle and timing of the motor 12. The Arduino platform is characterized by low development cost, strong community support, and flexible programming. As the control core, it allows the product's music sequence to be easily customized and updated, providing users with a great deal of personalization space. It also reduces the product's development difficulty and manufacturing cost, facilitating rapid implementation and iteration.
[0059] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A drop clock, characterized in that, Includes a housing, and the housing contains: A dripping module, comprising a dripping device for storing and dripping water, for generating periodically falling water droplets; A sound-generating module is located directly below the dripping device, and includes a rotatably mounted percussion instrument and a drive motor mechanically connected to the percussion instrument to drive its rotation. The percussion instrument has multiple different registers; A control system, connected to the drive motor, is used to control the operation of the drive motor so that water droplets fall sequentially onto different registers of the percussion instrument, thereby producing a time-varying musical sequence.
2. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, The sound-generating module also includes a support component, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the bottom center of the percussion instrument through the support component to transmit rotational motion to the percussion instrument.
3. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, The percussion instrument is an ethereal drum. A grid plate with a central through hole is horizontally fixed between the water outlet of the dripping device and the tongue of the ethereal drum.
4. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, The dripping module includes a capacitive liquid level sensor for detecting the water level in the dripping module, and triggering the control system to start running when the water level reaches a preset threshold.
5. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a water storage module located below the sound-generating module, used to collect water dripping from the percussion instrument.
6. The drop clock of claim 5, wherein, The water storage module includes a funnel and a water receiving container. The funnel is positioned above the water receiving container to guide water flow into the water receiving container.
7. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, A guide ring is provided between the dripping module and the percussion instrument to guide the path of the falling water droplets.
8. The drip clock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ethereal drum is a flat, hollow, round metal body with multiple tongues of different frequencies on its top surface.
9. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, A charging port is provided on the lower side wall of the housing, and the charging port is electrically connected to the control system and internal electronic components through a wire.
10. The drop clock of claim 1, wherein, The control system is an Arduino circuit board, which is fixedly installed inside the housing.