On the design of slider-crank mechanisms. Part I: multi-phase motion generation

A method for designing slider-crank mechanisms to achieve multi-phase motion generation applications typically accomplished by adjustable planar four-bar motion generators is presented. The benefit of this method is twofold. First, multiple phases of prescribed rigid body positions are achievable using a mechanism with fewer moving parts than the planar four-bar mechanism. Second, the slider-crank motion generator can achieve phases of prescribed rigid body positions without any physical or automated adjustments of its moving pivots between phases. A slider path that enables the slider-crank motion generator to achieve two phases of prescribed rigid body positions is designed by using 7th order polynomials to connect the moving pivot paths of the follower link of the adjustable planar four-bar motion generator. This polynomial generates smooth radial displacement, velocity, acceleration and jerk profiles with boundary conditions that can be prescribed. The example problem in this work considers a two-phase moving pivot adjustment of a planar four-bar mechanism.