Multi-Purpose Alarm Clock for Hikers

REI Alarm Clock

Project Sections

Brand Research

Product Tear down

Design

Project Brief

The goal of this project is to redesign a product, considering both improvements over the previous design and part manufacturing considerations. The product tear-down phase involves researching the product and its components to facilitate reverse engineering for the development of a new product. The design phase will leverage the findings from the tear-down phase and offer the opportunity to redesign the product for another company or brand.

Project Tear Down

top view of Phillips alarm clock
Back view of Philips alarm clock
right view of alarm clock with volume and band controls
left video of clock with alarm and radio switches
bottom view
one 9-volt battery holder for the clock
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front view of clock with black display
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Parts List

  • Injection molded polypropylene

  • Injection molded polypropylene

  • Aluminum and wax

  • n/a

  • Injection molded ABS + screen printed graphics

  • n/a

  • Copper and fiberglass

  • Injection molded polypropylene

  • Injection molded polypropylene

  • Injection molded low density polyethylene

  • Injection molded polypropylene

What was learned?

The overall assembly of parts is sturdy. The clock proved difficult to disassemble, even after years of use.

1

Dirt build-up, especially in the speaker, is a significant issue. The speaker holes are challenging or impossible to clean out effectively.

2

The head-staked buttons have worn down over time, making it difficult to use some of the controls.

3

Brand Research

Types of Products

After visiting an REI location in Raleigh, a variety of products and brands were observed. The main categories of REI-branded products include:

Camping Gear

Backpacks/Luggage

Clothing

REI Colors & Graphics

REI branding adopts earth-tone colors to align with the natural environments where their products are used. They also incorporate distinctive graphics and icons with a retro style and feel.

Design Categories

Based on the product types offered by REI that can be combined with the internals of the alarm clock, the ideation will focus on safety, solar power, and customization to align with their existing products.

Solar Power

Safety

Custom

Design

The final design emphasizes the concept of customization for the user's needs. The top portion functions as an alarm clock and can be swapped out for other tools such as a flashlight. The bottom portion comprises a portable radio for entertainment or emergencies. A strap is added to attach the clock to the outside of a backpack for easy transportation or to be looped around the wrist. An interchangeable badge on the front of the speaker allows the user to change the appearance of the radio as desired.

Clock Features

1

Soft touch control buttons for the alarm clock.

OLED screen for low power consumption and clean look.

2

Removeable top clock for easy portability and customization based on the user needs.

3

4

OLED screen and button controls for the radio/speaker

Removable decorative badge for a user’s personal touch

5

Detachable strap to hook onto a backpack or to loop around a wrist for easy transportation

6

Parts List

  • Injection molded ABS

  • Injection molded silicone

  • N/A

  • Injection molded ABS

  • Injection molded ABS

  • Woven polyester

  • Injection molded polypropylene + screen printed graphics

  • Woven polyester

  • Injection molded polypropylene

  • N/A

  • N/A

  • Injection molded ABS

  • Injection molded silicone

  • Injection molded ABS

CMF Board

Cream

#F4EEE3

Warm Red

#DF5C4A

Forest Green

#78854F