Dynamic Behavior of a Revolute Clearance Joint in Multibody Mechanical Systems
This work describes the influence of the clearance size and the coefficient of friction on the dynamic response of a revolute clearance joint in multibody mechanical systems. When there is a clearance in a revolute joint, impacts between the journal and the bearing can occur, and consequently, local deformations take place. The impact is internal and the response of the system is performed using a continuous contact force model. The friction effect due to the contact between joint elements is also modeled. The clearance size and friction effects are analyzed separately. Through the use of Poincare´ maps both periodic and chaotic responses of the system are observed. The results predict the existence of the periodic or regular motion at certain clearance sizes and friction coefficients and chaotic or nonlinear in other cases. A detailed discussion of the results relative to a planar slider-crank mechanism with a revolute clearance joint is presented.