Synthesis of Planar Multiloop Linkages Starting from Existing Parts or Mechanisms: Enumeration and Initial Sizing

Abstract

We present a methodology for dealing with mechanism synthesis problems in which the initial parts to move can have the form of either open-, closed-, or mixed-chain mechanisms, isolated points, or bodies to guide. We use a finite element method-like description of the initial kinematics problem, a graph representation to solve the number synthesis, and the precision-point method to solve the initial dimensions of the linkages. A preliminary analysis of the structural parts in conjunction with the imposed motion constraints is considered just after the initial description to distinguish those analyzable parts from the unknowns of the synthesis problem. A nonstandard example for function generation is illustrated throughout the paper.