Optimum Design of a Four-Bar Linkage Whose Coupler Path Has Specified Extremes

Abstract

The synthesis problem of specifying the extremes of a coupler path of a four-bar linkage is presented. Equations are derived to specify that a precision point be an extreme of the coupler path. Other portions of the path are considered as well. Constraints are imposed which limit the width of the coupler path, the locations of the crankshaft and rockshaft, and which guarantee that the input crank will make a full revolution. This suggests using a mathematical programming technique (i.e., optimization) to solve the synthesis problem. A graphical method is developed to obtain an initial trial design for the mathematical programming technique. An example problem is then solved.