REDUCTION OF THE JOINT CLEARANCE EFFECT FOR A PLANAR FLEXIBLE MECHANISM

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