Linkage Mechanisms With Cam-Integrated Joints for Controlled Harmonic Content of the Output Motion: Theory and Application

In a recent study, the authors presented a systematic method for the modification of the output motion of linkage mechanisms with closed-loop chains using cams positioned at one or more joints of the mechanism. In this paper, the method is applied to the design of a linkage mechanism with an integrated cam mechanism to eliminate high harmonic component of the output motion. The mechanism may be synthesized using any existing linkage mechanism synthesis technique. In the present study, a cam mechanism is synthesized to eliminate all high harmonic components of the output link motion of a four-bar linkage mechanism to illustrate the potentials of the present approach. The mechanism is then constructed and successfully tested. With the present method, selected ranges of high harmonic motions generated due to the mechanisms kinematics nonlinearity can be eliminated by integrating appropriately designed cams, thereby significantly reducing the potential vibrational excitation that the mechanism can impart on the overall system, including its own structure. Such systems should therefore be capable of operating at higher speeds and with increased precision.