SIMPLE MECHANISM

Introduction
 A machine consists of a number of parts or bodies. In this experiment, we shall study the
mechanisms of the various parts or bodies from which the machine is assembled.
 This is done by making one of the parts as fixed, and the relative motion of other parts is
determined with respect to the fixed parts

Kinematics Link or Element

 Each part of a machine, which moves relative to some other parts, is known as Kinematic link or
element.
 A link may consist of several parts, which are rigidly fastened together, so that they do not move
relative to one another.
 A link or element needs not to be a rigid body, but it must be a resistant body.
 A body is said to be a resistant body if it is capable of transmitting the required forces with
negligible deformation. Thus a link should have the following two characteristics:
(i) It should have relative motion.
(ii) It must be a resistant body.

Types of Links
In order to transmit motion, the driver and the follower may be connected by the following three types of
links:
1. Rigid link. A Rigid link is one, which does not undergo any deformation while transmitting
motion. Strictly speaking, rigid links do not exists. However, as the deformation of a connecting
rod, crank etc. of a reciprocating steam engine is not appreciable, they can be considered as rigid
links.
2. Flexible link. A flexible link is one, which is partly deformed in a manner not to affect the
transmission of motion. For example, belt, ropes, chains and wires are flexible links and transmit
tensile forces only.
3. Fluid link. A fluid link is one, which is formed by having a fluid in a receptacle, and the motion is
transmitted through the fluid by pressure or compression only, as in the case of hydraulic presses,
jacks and brakes.

Structure
 It is an assemblage of a number of resistant bodies (known as members) having no relative motion
between them and meant for carrying loads having straining action.
 A railway bridge, a roof, truss, machine frames etc.’ are the example of a structure.
Difference between a Machine and a Structure
 The parts of a machine move relative to one another,
whereas the members of a structure do not move relative to one another.

 A machine transforms the available energy into some useful work,

whereas in a structure no energy is transformed into useful work.

 The links of a machine may transmit both power and motion,

while the members of a structure transmit forces only.

Kinematics Pair
The two links or elements of a machine, when in contact with each other, are said to form a pair. If the
relative motion between them is completely or successfully constrained (i.e. in a definite direction), the
pair is known as Kinematics pair.

Types of Constrained Motions

1. Completely constrained motion.
 When the motion between a pair is limited to a definite direction irrespective of the direction of
force applied, then the motion is said to be a completely constrained motion.
 For example, the piston and cylinder (in a steam engine) form a pair and the motion of the piston
is limited to a definite direction (i.e. it will only reciprocate) relative to the cylinder irrespective of
the direction of motion of the crank.

2. Incompletely constrained motion.

 When the motion between a pair can take place in more than one direction, then the motion is
called an incompletely constrained motion.
 The change in the direction of impressed force may alter the direction of relative motion between
the pair.
 A circular bar or shaft in a circular hole is an example of an incompletely constrained motion as it
may either rotate or slide in a hole. These both motions have no relationship with the other.
3. Successfully constrained motion.
 When the motion between the elements, forming a pair, is such that the constrained motion is not
completed by itself, but by some other means, then the motion is said to be successfully
constrained motion.
 Consider a shaft in a foot-step bearing. The shaft may rotate in a bearing or it may move upwards.
This is a case of incompletely con- strained motion. But if the load is placed on the shaft to prevent
axial upward movement of the shaft, then the motion of the pair is said to be successfully
constrained motion.
 The motion of an I.C. engine valve (these are kept on their seat by a spring) and the piston
reciprocating inside an engine cylinder are also the examples of successfully constrained motion.

Classification of Kinematics Pairs

The kinematics pairs may be classified according to the following consideration:
1. According to the type of relative motion between the elements:
 Sliding pair. When the two elements of a pair are connected in such a way that one can only
slide relative to the other, the pair is known as sliding pair. The piston and cylinder, cross-
head and guides of a reciprocating steam engine, ram and its guides in shaper, tail stock on
the lathe bed etc. are the example of a sliding pair.
 Turning point. When the two elements of a pair are connected in such a way that one can
only turn or revolve about a fixed axis of another link, the pair is known as turning pair. A
shaft with collars at both ends fitted into a circular hole, the crankshaft in a journal bearing in
an engine, lathe spindle supported in head stock, cycle wheels turning over their axles etc. are
the examples of a turning pair.
 Rolling pair. When the two elements of a pair are connected in such a way that one rolls over
another fixed link, the pair is known as rolling pair. Ball and other bearings are examples of
rolling pair.
 Screw pair. When the two elements of a pair are connected in such a way that one element
can turn about the other by screw threads, the pair is known as screw pair. The lead screw of
a lathe with nut, and bolt with a nut are examples of a screw pair.
 Spherical pair. When the two elements of a pair are connected in such a way that one
element (with spherical shape) turns or swivels about the other fixed element, the pair
formed is called a spherical pair. The ball and socket joint, attachment of a car mirror, pen
stand etc., are the example of a spherical pair.

2. According to the types of contact between the elements:

 Lower pair. When the two elements of a pair have a surface contact when relative motion
takes place and the surface of one-element slides over the surface of the other, the pair
formed is known as lower pair.
 Higher pair. When the two element of a pair have a line or point contact when relative
motion takes place and the motion between the two elements is partly turning and partly
sliding, then the pair is known as higher pair. A pair of friction discs, toothed gearing, belt and
rope drives; ball and roller bearings and cam and follower are the examples of higher pair.

3. According to the type of closure:

 Self closed pair. When the two elements of a pair are connected together mechanically in
such a way that only required kind of relative motion occurs, it is then known as self-closed
pair. The lower pairs are self-closed pair.
 Force-closed pair. When the two elements of a pair are not connected mechanically but are
kept in contact by the action of external forces, the pair is said to be a force-closed pair. The
cam and follower is an example of force closed pair, as it is kept in contact by the forces
exerted by spring and gravity.
Kinematics Chain
When the kinematics pairs are coupled in such a way that the last links is joined to the first link to
transmit definite motion (i.e. completely or successfully constrained motion), it is called a kinematics
chain.

DEGREE OF FREEDOM
Degrees of freedom (DOF):
 It is the number of independent coordinates required to describe the position of a body in space.
 A free body in space can have six degrees of freedom. i.e., linear positions along x, y and z axes and
rotational/angular positions with respect to x, y and z axes.
 In a kinematic pair, depending on the constraints imposed on the motion, the links may lose some
of the six degrees of freedom.
Possible Motions:
1. Three translations along x, y and z axes.
2. Three rotations about x, y and z axes.
So an object in free space has six degrees of Freedom.
A fixed object has zero degree of freedom.

GRUBLER’S RULE
Degrees of freedom/mobility of a mechanism:
 It is the number of inputs (number of independent coordinates) required to describe the
configuration or position of all the links of the mechanism, with respect to the fixed link at any
given instant.
Number of degrees of freedom of a mechanism is given by F = 3(l-1)-2j-h. where,
F = Degrees of freedom
l = Number of links.
j = Number of lower pairs, which is obtained by counting the number of joints. If more than two links are
joined together at any point, then, one additional lower pair is to be considered for every additional link.
h = Number of higher pairs

Substituting F=1 and h=0 for kutzbach equation, we have,

1=3(l−1)−2j-0=3(l−1)−2j or 3l−2j−4=0 So, 3l−2j−4=0
This equation is known as the Kutzbach Equation for mechanisms with constrained motion.

Types of Joints in a Chain:

Calculate DOF:

1. The mechanism, as shown in Fig. (a), has three links and three binary joints
  n = 3 (3 – 1) – 2 × 3 = 0
2. The mechanism, as shown in Fig. (b), has four links and four binary joints,
  n = 3 (4 – 1) – 2 × 4 = 1
3. The mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5.16 (c), has five links and five binary joints,
  n = 3 (5 – 1) – 2 × 5 = 2
4. The mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5.16 (d), has five links and six equivalent binary joints (because there are
two binary joints at B and D, and two ternary joints at A and C)
  n = 3 (5 – 1) – 2 × 6 = 0
5. The mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5.16 (e), has six links and eight equivalent binary joints (because there are
four ternary joints at A, B, C and D),


In Fig. (a), there are three links, two binary joints and one higher pair, i.e. l = 3, j = 2 and h = 1.
n = 3 (3 – 1) – 2 × 2 – 1 = 1
In Fig. (b), there are four links, three binary joints and one higher pair, i.e. l = 4, j = 3 and h = 1
n = 3 (4 – 1) – 2 × 3 – 1 = 2
Mechanism
 When one of the links of a kinematics chain is fixed, the chain is known as mechanism. It may be
used for transmitting or transforming motion e.g. engine indicators, typewriter etc.
 A mechanism with four links is known as simple mechanism and the mechanism with more than
four links as compound mechanism.
 When a mechanism is required to transmit power or to do some particular type of work, it then
becomes a machine. In such cases, the various links or elements have to be designed to withstand
the forces (both static and kinetic) safely.
 A little consideration will show that a mechanism may be regarded as a machine in which each
part is reduced to the simplest form to transmit the required motion.

Inversion of Mechanism
 When one of the links is fixed in a kinematic chain, it is called a mechanism.
 So we can obtain as many mechanisms as the number of links in a kinematic chain by fixing, in
turn, different links in a kinematic chain.
 This method of obtaining different mechanisms by fixing different links in a kinematics chain is
known as inversion of the mechanism.

Types of Kinematics Chains

 The most important kinematics chains are those, which consist of four lower pairs, each pair being
a sliding pair or a turning pair.
 The following three types of kinematic chains with four lower pairs are important from the subject
point of view:
1. Four bar chain or quadric cycle chain,
2. Single slider crank chain, and
3. Double slider crank chain.
These kinematic chains are discussed, in detail, in the following articles.

I Four Bar Chain or Quadric Cycle Chains

 The simplest and the basic kinematic chain is a four bar chain or quadric cycle chain.
 It consists of four links; each of them forms a turning pair A, B, C and D.
 The four links may be of different lengths.
 According to Grashof’s law for a four bar mechanism, the sum of
the shortest and the longest link lengths should not be greater
than the sum of the remaining two links lengths if there is to be
continuous relative motion between the two links.
 In a four bar chain, one of the links, in particular the shortest link,
will make a complete revolution relative to the other links, if it
satisfies the Grashof’s law. Such a link is known as crank or driver.
 The link BC (link2) which makes a partial rotation or oscillates is
known as lever or rocker or follower and the link CD (link3) which
connects the crank and lever is called connecting rod or coupler.
 The fixed AB (link 1) is known as frame of the mechanism.
 When the crank (link 4) is the driver, the mechanism is transforming rotary motion into oscillating
motion.
Inversions of Four Bar Chain:
 Beam Engine (Crank and lever mechanism).
In this mechanism, when the crank rotates
about the fixed center A, the lever oscillates
about a fixed center D.
The end E of the lever CDE is connected to a
piston rod, which reciprocates due to the
rotation of the crank.
In other words, the purpose of this
mechanism is to convert rotary motion into
reciprocating motion.

 Coupling Rod of a Locomotive (Double crank mechanism).

The mechanism of a coupling rod of a locomotive (also known as double crank mechanism),
which consists of four links.
In this mechanism, the links AD and BC (having
equal length) act as cranks and are connected
to the respective wheels.
The link CD acts as a coupling rod and the link
AB is fixed in order to maintain a constant
center-to-center distance between them.
This mechanism is meant for transmitting
rotary motion from wheel to the other wheel.

 Watt’s indicator mechanism (Double lever mechanism).

A Watt’s indicator mechanism (also known as
Watt’s straight line mechanism or double lever
mechanism) which consists of four links.
The four links are: fixed link at A, link AC, link CE
and link BFD.
It may be noted that BF and FD forms one links
because these two parts have no relative motion
between them.
The links CE and BFD act as levers.
The displacement of the link BFD is directly
proportional to the pressure of gas or steam
which acts on the indicator plunger.
On any small displacement of the mechanism, the
tracing point E at the end of the link CE traces out
approximately a straight line.

II Single Slider Crank Chain Mechanism

 A single slider crank chain is a modification of the basic four bar chain.
 It consists of one sliding pair and three turning pairs.
 It is usually, found in reciprocating steam engine mechanism.
 This type of mechanism conserves rotary motion into reciprocating motion and vice versa.
 In a single slider crank chain, the link 1 and 2 and 3, and links 3 and 4 form three turning pairs
while the links 4 and 1 form a sliding pair.
 The link 1 corresponds to the frame of the engine, which is fixed.
 The link 2 corresponds to the crank; link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod and link 4
corresponds to cross head.
 As the crank rotates, the crosshead reciprocates in the guides and thus the piston reciprocates.
Inversion of Single Slider Crank Chain
We have seen in the previous article that a single slider crank chain is a four –link mechanism. We know
that by fixing different links in a kinematics chain, an inversion is obtained and we can obtain as many
mechanisms as the links in a kinematic chain. It is the obvious, that four Inversions of a single slider crank
chain are possible. These inversions are found in the following mechanisms.

1. Pendulum pump or Bull engine.

In this mechanism, the inversion is obtained by
fixing the cylinder or link 4. (i. e. sliding pair).
In this case, when the crank (link2) rotates, the
connecting rod (link3) oscillates about a pin pivoted
to the fixed link4 at A and the piston attached to the
piston rod (link 1) reciprocates.
The duplex pump which is used to supply of feed
water to boilers has two pistons attached to link 1.

2. Oscillating Cylinder Engine.

The arrangement of oscillating cylinder engine
mechanism is used to convert reciprocating motion
into rotary motion.
In this mechanism, the link3 forming the turning
pair is fixed.
The link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod of a
reciprocating steam engine mechanism.
When the crank (link2) rotates, the piston attached
to piston rod (link1) reciprocates and the cylinder
(link4.) oscillated about a pin pivoted to the fixed
link at A.

3. Rotary internal combustion engines or Gnome engine.

Sometimes back, rotary internal combustion
engines were used in aviation.
But now day’s gas turbines are used in its place.
It consists of seven cylinders in one plane and all
revolves about fixed center D, while the crank
(link2) is fixed.
In this mechanism, when the connecting rod
(link4) rotates, the piston (link3) reciprocates
inside the cylinders forming link 1.
4. Crank and slotted lever quick return motion mechanism.
The mechanism is mostly used in shaping machines, slotting machines and in rotary internal
combustion engines.
In this mechanism, the link AC (i.e. link3) forming the turning pair is fixed.
The link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod of a reciprocating steam engine.
The driving crank CB revolves with uniform angular speed about the fixed center C.
A sliding block attached to the crank pin at B slides along the slotted bar AP to the ram which
carries the tool and reciprocates along the line of stroke R1R2.
The line of stroke of the ram (i.e.R1R2) is perpendicular to AC produced.
In the extreme positions, AP1 AND AP2 is tangential to the circle and the cutting tool is at the
end of the stroke.
The forward or cutting stroke occurs when the crank rotates from the position CB1 to CB2 (or
through an angle β) in the clockwise direction.
The return stroke occurs when the crank rotates from the position CB2 to CB1 (or through
angle α) in the clockwise directions.
5. Whitworth quick return motion mechanism.
This mechanism is mostly used in shaping and slotting machines.
In this mechanism, the link CD (link 2) forming the turning pair is fixed.
The link 2 corresponds to a crank in a reciprocating steam engine.
The driver crank CA (link3) rotates at a uniform angular speed.
The slider (link4) attached to the rank pin at A slides along the slotted bar PA (link 1) which
oscillates at a pivoted point D.
The connecting rod PR carries the ram at R to which a cutting tool is fixed.
The motion of the tool is constrained along the line RD produced, i.e. along a line passing
through D and perpendicular to CD.

When the driving crank CA moves from the position CA1 to CA2 (or the link DP from the
position DP1 to DP2) through an angle α in the clockwise direction, the tool moves from the
left hand end of its stroke to the right hand end through a distance 2 PD.
Now when the driving crank moves from the position CA2 to CA1 (or the link DP from DP2 to
DP1) through angle β in the clockwise direction, the tool moves back from right hand end of its
stroke to the left hand end.
A little consideration will show that the time taken for left to right movement of the ram (i.e.
during forward or cutting stroke) will be equal to the time taken by the driven crank to move
from CA1 to CA2.
Similarly, the time taken during the right to left movement of the ram (or during the idle or
return stroke) will be equal to the time taken by the driving crank to move from CA2 to CA1.
Since the crank link CA rotates at uniform angular velocity therefore time taken during the
cutting stroke (or forward stroke) is more than the time taken during the return stroke.
In other words, the mean speed of the ram during cutting stroke is less than the mean speed
during the return stroke.
The ratio between the time taken during the cutting and return strokes is given by.
Ques. A crank and slotted lever mechanism used in a shaper has a centre distance of 300 mm
between the centre of oscillation of the slotted lever and the centre of rotation of the crank. The
radius of the crank is 120 mm. Find the ratio of the time of cutting to the time of return stroke.
Given : AC = 300 mm ; CB1 = 120 mm

Ques. In a crank and slotted lever quick return motion mechanism, the distance between the fixed
centres is 240 mm and the length of the driving crank is 120 mm. Find the inclination of the slotted
bar with the vertical in the extreme position and the time ratio of cutting stroke to the return
stroke.
If the length of the slotted bar is 450 mm, find the length of the stroke if the line of stroke passes
through the extreme positions of the free end of the lever.

Length of the stroke

R1R2 = P1P2 = 2 P1Q = 2 AP1 sin (90° –  / 2)
= 2 × 450 sin (90°– 60°) = 900 × 0.5 = 450 mm Ans.
Ques. 3. Fig. shows the layout of a quick return mechanism of the oscillating link type, for a special
purpose machine. The driving crank BC is 30 mm long and time ratio of the working stroke to the
return stroke is to be 1.7. If the length of the working stroke of R is 120 mm, determine the
dimensions of AC and AP.
Ques. 4. In a Whitworth quick return motion mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5.32, the distance between
the fixed centers is 50 mm and the length of the driving crank is 75 mm. The length of the slotted
lever is 150 mm and the length of the connecting rod is 135 mm. Find the ratio of the time of cutting
stroke to the time of return stroke and also the effective stroke.

III Double Slider Crank Chain

A kinematic chain which consists of two turning pairs and two sliding pairs is known as double
slider chain.
The link2 and link1 form one turning pair and link2 and link3 form the second turning pair.
The link 3 and link4 form one sliding pair and link 1 and link 4 form the second sliding pair.

Inversions of Double Slider crank chain:

1. Scotch yoke mechanism.
This mechanism is used for converting rotary motion
into a reciprocating motion.
The inversion is obtained by the fixing either the
link1 or link3. Link 1 is fixed.
In this mechanism, when the link2 (which
corresponds to crank) rotates about B as center, the
link 4 (which corresponds to a frame) reciprocates.
The fixed link 1 guides the frame.
2. Elliptical trammels.
It is an instrument used for drawing ellipse.
This inversion is obtained by fixing the slotted plate (link 4).
The fixed plate or link 4 has two straight grooves cut in it, at right angles to each other.
The link 1 and link 3, are known as sliders and form sliding pairs with link4.
The link AB (link 2) is a bar, which forms turning pair with links 1 and 3.
When the links 1and 3 slide along their respective grooves, any point on the link 2 such as P
traces out an ellipse on the surfaces an ellipse on the surface of link4.
AP and BP are the semi-major axis and semi-minor axis of the ellipse respectively.
3. Oldham’s coupling.
An Oldham’s coupling is used for connecting two parallel shafts whose axes at a small distance
apart.
The shafts are coupled in such a way that if one shaft rotates, the other shaft also rotates at the
same speed.
The inversion is obtained by the fixing the link 2.
The shafts to be connected have two flanges (link 1 and link 3) rigidly fastened at their ends
by forging.
The link 1 and link3 form turning pairs with link 2.
These flanges have diametrical slots cut in their inner faces.
The intermediate piece (link4), which is a circular disc, has two tongues (i.e. diametrical
projections) T1 and T2 on each face at right angles to each other.
The tongues on the link 4 closely fit into the slots in the two flanges (link1 and link3).
The link 4 can slide or reciprocate in the slots in the flanges.

When the driving shaft A is rotated, the flange C (link1) causes the intermediate piece (link4)
to rotate at the same angle through which the flange has rotated, and it further rotates the
flange D (link3) at the same angle and thus the shafts B rotates.
Hence link 1, 3 and 4 have the same angular velocity at every instant.
A little consideration will show, that there is a sliding motion between the link4 and each of
the other link 1 and 3.
If the distance between the axes of the shafts is constant, the center of intermediate piece will
describe a circle of radius equal to the distance between the axes of the two shafts.
Therefore, the maximum sliding speed of each tongue along its slot is equal to the peripheral
velocity of the center of the disc along its circular path.
Let ω = Angular velocity of each shaft in rad/s, and
ґ = Distance between the axes of the shafts in metres.
So, Maximum sliding speed of each tongue (in m/s), V= ω r