Chapter 5

Mechanism Design

Determine the dimensions of a
mechanism to achieve the desired
motion.

Mechanism Synthesis

In-Line Slider-Crank:








Determine appropriate L
2
&
L
3

L
3
L
2

(R
4
)
max


Inline Slider-Crank:









Symmetrical slider motion



Crank length: L
2
= (R
4
)
max
/2


To produce smooth
acceleration L
3
>> L
2


L
2

(R
4
)
max

L
3













Rule of thumb: L
3
> 4 L
2



Design Example:
Design a slider-crank mechanism
with a stroke of 1.25 inches. The
outward stroke must consume 0.2
seconds and return in 0.2 sec.

Quick Return Action:
Offset slider crank, and four-
bar mechanisms produce quick
return action.





Time Ratio, Q
1
stroke return of Time
stroke advance of Time
= Q


Imbalance Angle,

+
=
0
0
180
180
Q

or

=
1
1
180
0
Q
Q

Example:
A quick return mechanism is to be
designed where the outward stroke
consumes 1.1 sec and the inward
stroke consumes 0.8 sec.
Determine
The time ratio
The imbalance angle
The speed at which the
mechanism must operate.
Offset Slider-Crank:








Recall that an offset slider-
crank has quick return action.

Must determine the required Q
and .

The task is to determine appropriate
L
1
,L
2
& L
3
to achieve the required
(R
4
)
max
and .


L
3
L
2

(R
4
)
max

L
1

Offset Slider-Crank:











To produce smooth
accelerations design L
3
>> L
2


Rule of thumb:
L
3
> 4 L
2



L
3
L
2

(R
4
)
max
L
1

L
3
- L
2

L
3
+ L
2

3

Initially,
arbitrarily set
Design Example:
Design a slider-crank mechanism
with a stroke of 2 inches. The
outward stroke must consume 0.35
seconds and return in 0.4 sec.
Four-bar Mechanism:








In general, a four bar mechanism
has quick return action.
Must determine the required Q
and .
The task is to determine
appropriate L
1
, L
2
, L
3
& L
4
to
achieve the required (
4
)
max
and
.
L
1

L
2

L
3

L
4


(
4
)
max
Four-bar Mechanism:









Often, L
1
has a target value. After
construction, all other dimensions can
be scaled to achieve the desired L
1


Transmission Angle ():
Angle between coupler and
follower links.
Coupler is a two-force member.
Rule of thumb: 40
0
< < 140
0

L
1

L
2

L
3

L
4

(
4
)
max

L
3
- L
2

L
3
+ L
2

'

Initially,
arbitrarily set
Design Example:

Design a four-bar mechanism with a
throw (stroke) of 80
0
. The outward
stroke must consume 0.020 seconds
and the return in 0.025 sec. The target
frame length is 10 in.