Novel Methodology for Inflection Circle based synthesis of Straight Line Crank Rocker Mechanism

Emerging fields like Compact Compliant Mechanisms have created newer/novel situations for application of straight line mechanisms. Many of these situations in Automation and Robotics are multidisciplinary in nature. Application Engineers from these domains are many times uninitiated in involved procedures of synthesis of mechanisms and related concepts of Path Curvature Theory. This paper proposes a predominantly graphical approach using properties of Inflection Circle to synthesize a crank rocker mechanism for tracing a coupler curve which includes the targeted straight line path. The generated approximate straight line path has acceptable deviation in length, orientation and extent of approximate nature well within the permissible ranges. Generation of multiple choices for the link geometry is unique to this method. To ease the selection, a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is developed to indicate relative length of various options generated. Using studied unique properties of Inflection Circles a methodology for anticipating the orientation of the straight path vis-à-vis the targeted path is also included. Two straight line paths are targeted for two different crank rockers. Compared to the existing practice of selecting the mechanism with some compromise due to inherent granularity of the data in Atlases, proposed methodology helps in indicating the possibility of completing the dimensional synthesis. The case in which the solution is possible, the developed solution is well within the design specifications and is without a compromise.

Dynamics of Mechanisms with Superior Couplings

The paper briefly presents the dynamic synthesis of mechanisms with superior couplings, force, and speed distribution, efficiency, loss coefficient, dynamic coefficient or motion transmission function, determination of variable angular input speed from the crank or cam based on solving the equation Lagrange, the determination of the dynamic variation of the follower (adept) based on the integration of Newton’s equation, and the dynamic analysis of several models taken into account. In the end, the original relations for calculating the efficiency of a gear are presented.

Synthesis of Watt-type Timed Curve Generators and Selection from Continuous Cognate Spaces

Following recent work on Stephenson-type mechanisms, the synthesis equations of Watt six-bar mechanisms that act as timed curve generators are formulated and systematically solved. Four variations of the problem arise by assigning the actuator and end effector onto different links. The approach produces exact synthesis of mechanisms up to eight precision points. Polynomial systems are formulated and their maximum number of solutions is estimated using the algorithm of random monodromy loops. Certain variations of Watt timed curve generators possess free parameters that do not affect the output motion, indicating a continuous space of cognate mechanisms. Packaging compactness, clearance, and dimensional sensitivity are characterized across the cognate space to illustrate trade-offs and aid in selection of a final mechanism.

Replacement in a Plane Geared Linkage of High Kinematic Pairs with Lower Pairs

The analysis of constraints in plane mechanisms is an urgent problem in the theory of machines and mechanisms. Although kinematic pairs’ classification has been known for a long time, the issue of the conjugation of links, being at the heart of the analysis and synthesis of mechanisms and machines, is of considerable theoretical and practical interest and continues to attract scientists. One of the tasks that are solved in the process of analysis and synthesis of the structures of mechanisms is the re-placement of higher kinematic pairs by lower ones. As a rule, such a replacement is made to identify kinematic chains of zero mobility, Assur's structural groups, in a mechanism. The replacement may also aim at obtaining the necessary kinematic relations. That is because specific computational difficulties hamper the kinematic analysis of chains with higher kinematic pairs due to the relative sliding and shape irregularity of mating surfaces. Yet, the use of replacements to obtain kinematic and transmission functions is difficult due to nonisomorphism of the equivalent mechanism. Simultaneously, for mixed-type mechanisms, which include geared linkages, the equivalent replacement will allow unifying the kinematic analysis methods. The paper suggests the technology of replacing higher kinematic pairs with links with lower pairs as applied to a plane geared linkage. The technology is based on the properties of the involute of a circumference. The paper proved the structural and kinematic equivalence of such a replacement. The isomorphism of the equivalent linkage will enhance the kinematic analysis, make it possible using kinematic functions, and applying methods based on the instantaneous relative rotations of links, in particular, the Aronhold-Kennedy theorem. Another application of the replacement method presented in the paper will be the expansion of opportunities for identifying idle constraints in the mechanism.

Monad Theory of Structural Synthesis of Mechanisms

Structural synthesis creates a structural scheme according to the given structural characteristics - the degree of abnormality of the structure S and the degree of its irrationality s. Structural scheme is created at the first stage of synthesis, containing only rotational kinematic pairs and corresponds to a given degree of abnormality, which is ensured by the ratio of structural units – plus monads, minus monads and null monads. At the second stage, the independence of structural characteristics makes it possible to bring the obtained scheme to a given degree of irrationality by downgrading the class of kinematic pairs. The proposed algorithm makes it possible to synthesize structural schemes of both normal structure and adaptive (with redundant motions), as well as indifferent (with redundant links). Monadic approach to structure research allows to formalize the structural features of the circuit and to create a knowledge base for automated design of structural circuits with given structural properties.