Ever thought of how the clock ticks? Unveil the process of how a mechanical clock keeps time!
The clock is one of the most crucial parts of life, and therefore there are various types of clocks available in the market. However, mechanical clocks have been in the scene since age. The basics of how these clocks work has remained unchanged since its inception.
The Back-story of Mechanical Clocks -
976 AD is when the first operational mechanical clock was built in China by Chan Ssu-Hsun with mercury. It was the period of the Song dynasty. It was highly accepted the people as the mechanical clock indicated time more accurately than the previously used methods of water and sundial.
When Chang Ssu-Hsun made his first watch, it was a water-based mechanical watch. However, the drawback was that it didn't work perfectly. So, he made another type of watch, the mechanical watch.
When a government official named Su Song, went to Laio to meet the emperor on his birthday, he arrived a day earlier than planned. This made him very upset, and hence he wanted to make a watch as good as Laio's, so they would never make such a mistake again. The Song Emperor chose to make a watch that took 8 years to build and was 30 feet tall. That watch was one of the first mechanical watches.
Since then, mechanical clocks became an integral part of our lives. Clocks have now evolved into different sizes, colors, and ways of working.
How Does a Mechanical Watch Function?
Mechanical clock technology preceded quartz movements by nearly a thousand years. Unlike their digital and quartz counterparts, mechanical clocks do not need batteries to keep time. Instead, they take advantage of the energy stored in a wounded spring. Therefore, all mechanical clocks must be wound to keep accurate time continuously.
Every mechanical clock requires energy to work and do its job accurately. Twisting the clock actually winds an internal real spring. When the mainspring slowly unwinds, it sets a series of elements in motion that occurs in the gears turning.
Possibly the most vital component within a mechanical clock is the escapement. The exhaust controls the release of stored energy in a predictable curve, which results in the movement of the hands around the dial.
The ultimate element of the escapement is the oscillator, usually a flywheel or a pendulum. The oscillator's speed is fixed, resulting in the governed release of the energy stored in the mainspring. Each swing of the pendulum or flywheel releases a tooth on the escapement gear, allowing the watch's gear train to advance by a fixed amount, moving the hands of the watch forward at a constant rate.
The Conclusion -
Mechanical clocks have revolutionized the way of living for the human race. Along with assisting in keeping pace with our everyday life, this extraordinary tool makes our day easier to plan and manage. Also, it has positively impacted society as the clock has helped us to become more organized.
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