Uploaded February 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This compact clock escapement explores the interplay between torsion pendulums, magnetic polarity, and bistable electronics—all built with Lego components and suspended by sewing thread. As the horizontal arm seesaws, rotary motion is converted into linear steps that drive the escape wheel.
The upper pendulum is constructed entirely from Lego parts, while the lower pendulum features a diametrically polarized neodymium ring magnet. Both are suspended from 0.25 mm inextensible sewing thread, anchored at the top of the supporting frame. To maintain consistent thread tension, six lead egg sinkers—totaling 85 g—are wrapped around a Lego wheel, forming a simple but effective counterweight system.
Driving the motion is a two-transistor bistable multivibrator (flip-flop), where each transistor’s collector load connects to half of a bifilar air-core coil. When powered, the coil near the magnet adopts a magnetic polarity—North or South. If the initial polarity is South, the magnet’s North pole is drawn toward the coil. This movement induces counter-electromotive force (CEMF), flipping the circuit’s state and reversing the coil’s polarity. The magnet is then repelled, continuing its rotation through inertia, and the cycle repeats.
The pendulums oscillate out of phase, rotating in opposite directions. They reverse when torsional stress in the thread exceeds their combined moment of inertia, creating a dynamic interplay of forces and timing.
Timestamp
1:15 — Close-up view of the bistable multivibrator circuit
This version is a scaled-down adaptation of the escapement shared last month, offering a more compact demonstration of coupled torsion dynamics and electronic control.
Explore additional devices driven by electronic circuits—including spinning tops, pendulums, and clock escapements—on this playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCbYhDNjOviH74SJ1D5qCaCZQG2uldAmU
#legoescapement #LegoClockMechanism #torsionpendulum #whirligig #torsionpendulum #ClockEscapement #CoupledOscillators #simpleharmonicmotion #whirligig
This compact clock escapement explores the interplay between torsion pendulums, magnetic polarity, and bistable electronics—all built with Lego components and suspended by sewing thread. As the horizontal arm seesaws, rotary motion is converted into linear steps that drive the escape wheel.
The upper pendulum is constructed entirely from Lego parts, while the lower pendulum features a diametrically polarized neodymium ring magnet. Both are suspended from 0.25 mm inextensible sewing thread, anchored at the top of the supporting frame. To maintain consistent thread tension, six lead egg sinkers—totaling 85 g—are wrapped around a Lego wheel, forming a simple but effective counterweight system.
Driving the motion is a two-transistor bistable multivibrator (flip-flop), where each transistor’s collector load connects to half of a bifilar air-core coil. When powered, the coil near the magnet adopts a magnetic polarity—North or South. If the initial polarity is South, the magnet’s North pole is drawn toward the coil. This movement induces counter-electromotive force (CEMF), flipping the circuit’s state and reversing the coil’s polarity. The magnet is then repelled, continuing its rotation through inertia, and the cycle repeats.
The pendulums oscillate out of phase, rotating in opposite directions. They reverse when torsional stress in the thread exceeds their combined moment of inertia, creating a dynamic interplay of forces and timing.
Timestamp
1:15 — Close-up view of the bistable multivibrator circuit
This version is a scaled-down adaptation of the escapement shared last month, offering a more compact demonstration of coupled torsion dynamics and electronic control.
Explore additional devices driven by electronic circuits—including spinning tops, pendulums, and clock escapements—on this playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCbYhDNjOviH74SJ1D5qCaCZQG2uldAmU
#legoescapement #LegoClockMechanism #torsionpendulum #whirligig #torsionpendulum #ClockEscapement #CoupledOscillators #simpleharmonicmotion #whirligig
