Computerized Synthesis of Straight-Line Four-Bar Linkages From Inflection Circle Properties

Abstract

The instantaneous property of the inflection circle corresponding to a four-bar linkage is used in the present paper to obtain points of the coupler with significant straight-line paths. These points are the interest points (IP) of the coupler, the existence and properties of which are demonstrated here using a digital computer to solve the developed equations that define the IP’s. This led us to propose a computerized trial and selection method of synthesizing straight-line four-bar linkages with new steps—the determination of IP’s and their paths—which will, we hope, shorten considerably the time it used to take to obtain the desired results of a particular problem.