On the output motion characteristics of variable input speed servo-controlled slider-crank mechanisms

The input speed of the crank of a slider-crank mechanism is traditionally a ssumed to be constant. However, this paper proposes a novel concept by vary ing the speed of the crank to obtain the desired output motions. This appro ach uses a servomotor as the power input of the mechanism. By properly desi gning the input speed of the mechanism, the output motion can pass through a desired trajectory. The input motion characteristics are planned with Bez ier curves. Optimization is used to improve the output characteristics of t he system. Guidelines for defining the optimization problems are discussed and control algorithm regarding how this servo system works is presented. T hree design examples are given to demonstrate the procedure of this work. R esults of experiments are also given to verify the feasibility of this work . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.