Design of Drag-Link Mechanisms With Optimum Transmission Angle

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lung-Wen Tsai

In this paper, a new criterion for the design of a drag-link mechanism with optimum transmission angle is established. The transmission angle, the angle between the coupler link and output link of a four-bar linkage, is considered to be optimized when its extreme values deviate equally from 90 deg. Based on this criterion, design equations and design charts are developed. It is shown that the optimum drag-link mechanism is a turning-block linkage. It is also shown that to displace the drag-link mechanism with optimum transmission angle from its minimum lag to its maximum lag position, the input link must always rotate 180 deg and the corresponding angular displacement of the output link depends only on the link-length ratio of the output link to the fixed-link.

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah F. Al-Dwairi

Planar drag-link mechanism is a Grashofian four-bar chain with the shortest link fixed. In practice, the mechanism is used as a coupling between two shafts to convert uniform rotation of the driving shaft into a nonuniform rotation of the driven shaft. The nonuniformity in rotation is characterized by a cyclically increasing and decreasing delay (or advance) in the displacement of the driven shaft relative to that of the driving shaft. Drag-link synthesis problems include synthesizing the mechanism to generate a specified maximum delay. In a drag-link mechanism, the longer links make a full rotation about fixed pivots, which results in a relatively large installation space. This calls for designing drag-link mechanisms with a focus on space occupation, along with the traditional criteria of quality of motion transmission. Using position analysis, we investigate the relationships among mechanism space occupation, extreme transmission angle, and the generated maximum delay. Space occupation is represented by the link-length ratio of input link to fixed link. Given a desired maximum delay, the proposed approach suggests finding a unique extreme transmission angle value for which this link-length ratio is at a minimum. A closed-form solution to drag-link synthesis to generate a specified maximum delay is developed based on a compromise between quality of motion transmission and space occupation. For any drag-link designed by this compromise, the coupler link and the output crank are of the same length. Based on the obtained design equations, a graphical design solution and a method for evaluating space occupation are provided.


1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.-W. Tsai

In this paper, the design equations are derived for the synthesis of a drag-link mechanism, with given output-link rotation and the corresponding input-link rotation. The design criterion used is based on the maximum capability of a drag-link mechanism to provide a given delay or advance in the output motion. The solutions are given as a single-valued parametric set of equations for the link lengths. The transmission-angle optimization is accomplished by the minimization of the maximum transmission-angle deviation from 90 deg. It is shown that the optimum design can be obtained by solving a cubic equation in a single parameter. Design charts for the optimum design of a drag-link mechanism were developed. It is also shown that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the design of a crank-and-rocker mechanism and the drag-link mechanism.


Author(s):  
John A. Mirth

Stephenson III linkages provide a means to create an approximate dwell mechanism without the use of cams. The dwell cycle is created by first choosing or designing a four-bar linkage that contains a coupler path with a near circular segment. An external dyad is attached to the coupler point such that the center of the floating link of the dyad coincides with the center of the circular portion of the coupler curve. This connection produces a dwell in the external dyad as the four-bar linkage traverses the circular portion of the coupler curve. This paper demonstrates how the necessary conditions for a dwell linkage can be obtained with the use of Geometric Constraint Programming (GCP). The construction process is initiated by using GCP techniques to develop a four-bar linkage with a minimum of four path points that lie on a prescribed arc. This part of the problem also uses GCP to apply additional constraints to the four-bar linkage. These include the application of appropriate link dimensions to achieve a Grashof linkage with a crank input, and the specification of the required crank rotation angle during the dwell cycle of the mechanism. Once the four-bar is defined, an external dyad is attached to the coupler link of the four-bar to produce the specified dwell characteristics. The dwell dyad may include for its output either a rotational link whose range of angular travel is defined, or a sliding link whose range of linear motion is defined. GCP techniques are used to enforce a specified range of motion for the output dyad through the use of an instant center construction to define the limits of travel of the four-bar coupler curve relative to the dwell ground pivot. If the dwell dyad is designed for angular displacements, the construction is completed by using GCP to define the desired angular displacement of the dwell link, resulting in the specification of the link length and ground pivot location. If the dwell dyad is a linear (slider) output, the final part of the GCP construction is used to define the desired length of linear travel, which results in the complete specification of the slider path and angle. The GCP techniques are presented with the development of an example, with sample results presented for a dwell mechanism with a rotational dwell cycle, and also for a dwell mechanism with a linear (slider) dwell output. The example demonstrates the ability of GCP methods to use standard solid-modeling software to obtain Stephenson III linkages with dwells that deviate from the dwell position by less than 0.1% of total motion.


1967 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Soni ◽  
L. Harrisberger

The spherical drag-link mechanism has been designed using an approach based on minimum transmission angle. Explicit relationships have been derived for the required dimensions which satisfy the criteria of minimum transmission angle, and a design chart for the solution of spherical drag-link mechanisms (similar to that of Hain) is presented. Also, the seven cognates of the spherical drag-link mechanisms are identified and discussed.


Author(s):  
Luo Hong Tian

Abstract The BECM are proposed to classify spatial four-link mechanisms according to groups such as crank-rocker, double-rocker and double-crank (drag link). The BECM can determine the feasible regions and number of the extreme values exactly and solve them simply without complex derivation and calcultion. The paper concerns itself mainly with the RSSR linkage but it can be applied also to other types such as RSSP, RSCP, RSCR etc. The method is very simple and the geometric concept is very clear. Although the graphical methods is mainly introduced in this paper, certainly, it can also be coded in computer to solve out their accurate values.


Author(s):  
Gloria K. Starns ◽  
Donald R. Flugrad

Abstract This paper demonstrates procedures implemented for the synthesis of a four-bar mechanism that produces large angular oscillations of the output member while maintaining effective transmission angles. The mechanisms are modeled as being driven by a force applied at the coupler link. Additionally this force’s line of action is constrained to occur along an approximate straight line. This research was conducted out of the need for a device that is capable of retraction of the horizontal tool bar housed on the back of a tractor. The tool bars accommodate the implements required to accomplish the numerous tasks of the farmer, i.e. row markers, sprayer arms, planters, etc. Upon retraction of the tool bar so that it is parallel to ground, the appropriate tools are lowered to their working position. As the length of these bars increases, a savings of time and increased productivity is realized. Kurt Hain makes the following observation regarding large oscillation mechanisms in [1]: “It would be very difficult to solve this problem with one four-bar linkage, because it is difficult to design a four-bar linkage having such a large oscillation of a crank without running into problems of poor transmission angle characteristics; it might be possible to use linkages in combinations with gears, but this would make the mechanism more expensive, less efficient, and probably noisier.” In this study simulated annealing, a genetic algorithm and the generalized reduced gradient method are used to produce mechanisms with large angular oscillations of the output member and transmission angles that vary by as little as 20° from 90°. A comparative analysis of each of the optimization procedures is presented with observations regarding the efficacy of each method in the solution of the large oscillation mechanism.


Author(s):  
J. Rastegar

Abstract Derivation of Grashof-type conditions for spatial mechanisms that may include transmission angle limitations are discussed. It is shown that in general, different conditions need to be derived for each one of the existing configurations of the mechanism. In the absence of any transmission angle control, the conditions would be identical for pairs of configurations. As an example, for RRRSR mechanisms, Grashof-type conditions that ensure crank rotatability, the existence of a drag link type of mechanism, single or multiple changeover points, the possibility of full rotation at intermediate revolute joints, etc., are determined. A general discussion of the problems involved in such derivations, the use of approximation techniques to overcome some of the problems, and several other related subjects are presented.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-395
Author(s):  
Wei-Ming Pai ◽  
Dar-Zen Chen ◽  
Jyh-Jone Lee ◽  
Chi-Zer Ho

AbstractThis paper presents the design process for an innovative latch mechanism in a standard mechanical interfaced (SMIFed) wafer container, in which the manufactured integrated circuits are stored. An innovative latch mechanism is proposed and applied to the wafer container, such that the container door can be latched and air-tightly sealed during storage or transportation. The design process is divided into two stages. In the first stage, an output slot-cam is designed in order to generate decoupled fine motions of the output link. The issue is formulated as an optimization problem where the output link dimensions are optimized to minimize the resultant pin forces subject to an adequate transmission angle. In the second stage, the input slot-cam is designed to achieve that kinetic energy of the elastic gasket on the container lid is absorbed at a uniform rate. Finally, a numerical example and computer simulations are given to demonstrate the results of design process. It is believed that this work could aid in enhancing the performance and reliability of the latch mechanism in the SMIF environment.


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