Structural Synthesis and Application of Gear–Linkage/Cam Mechanism Based on Gear Pair Substitution

Abstract

Abstract. With the advancement of transplanting theory and increasing agronomic requirements, gear–linkage/cam mechanisms (GLCMs) have emerged as a feasible solution for achieving complex operational trajectories by introducing transmission ratio variation characteristics. However, systematic design methodologies for such mechanisms remain limited. In this study, a structural synthesis method for GLCMs based on gear pair substitution is proposed, and suitable configurations are selected in combination with kinematic synthesis to design vegetable plug seedling transplanting mechanisms. First, similar edges are identified using the minimum distance matrix constant and the power matrix constant, with verification against established databases to ensure recognition accuracy. Second, a structural synthesis approach for special GLCMs is developed by gradually adding components and kinematic pairs. Through gear pair substitution, structural synthesis of GLCMs with up to three degrees-of-freedom is achieved, while similarity information is employed to avoid generating isomorphic configurations. Finally, an optimal configuration is selected and combined with kinematic synthesis to design a vegetable plug seedling transplanting mechanism, whose feasibility is validated through simulation experiments.