REDUCTION OF THE JOINT CLEARANCE EFFECT FOR A PLANAR FLEXIBLE MECHANISM

Abstract

When the operating speed of mechanical systems is increased, unpredictable dynamic problems are induced due to joint clearances and link elasticity. To solve these problems, quantitative prediction of the effects of joint clearance and link flexibility on the system is needed, This study has two principal objectives. The first is to develop a design method for eliminating the loss of contact at joints with clearance. The method utilizes three dimensionless parameters which govern the dynamic behavior at the instance when contact loss is predicted. These parameters are determined to maintain joint contacts throughout the operating cycle. The links in this mechanism are assumed to be rigid. The second objective of this study is to investigate the influence of the flexibility of the links. Using a finite element method, we found that link flexibility decreases the possibility of contact loss as well as the impact force at joints with clearance.