3 Analytical Kinematics PDF
3 Analytical Kinematics PDF
3 Analytical Kinematics PDF
3. ANALYTICAL KINEMATICS
Slider-crank (inversion 1)
In a slider-crank mechanism, depending on its 3
application, either the crank is the input link and the A
objective is to determine the kinematics of the connecting RBA
RAO 2
rod and the slider, or the slider is the input link and the
objective is to determine the kinematics of the connecting 2
B
rod and the crank. In this example, we assume the first O2 RBO 2
case: For known values of 2 , 2 , and 2 we want to
determine the kinematics of the other links.
We start the analysis by defining vectors and constructing the vector loop equation:
R AO2 + R BA R BO2 = 0
The constant lengths are: RAO2 = L2 , RBA = L3 . We place the x-y frame at a convenient location.
We define an angle (orientation) for each vector according to our convention (CCW with respect
to the positive x-axis).
Position equations
The vector loop equation is projected onto the x and y axes to obtain two algebraic equations
RAO2 cos 2 + RBA cos 3 RBO2 cos 1 = 0
RAO2 sin 2 + RBA sin 3 RBO2 sin 1 = 0
Since 1 = 0 , we have:
L2 cos 2 + L3 cos 3 RBO2 = 0
(sc1.p.1)
L2 sin 2 + L3 sin 3 =0
For known values of L2 and L3 , and given value for 2 , these equations can be solved 3 and
RBO2 :
sin 3 = (L2 / L3 )sin 2 3 = sin 1 3
RBO2 = L2 cos 2 + L3 cos 3
Velocity equations
The time derivative of the position equations yields the velocity equations:
L2 sin 2 2 L3 sin 3 3 R BO2 = 0
(sc1.v.1)
L2 cos 2 2 + L3 cos 3 3 =0
These equations can also be represented in matrix form, where the terms associated with the
known crank velocity are moved to the right-hand-side:
L3 sin 3 1 3 L2 sin 2 2
L cos =
0 R BO2 L2 cos 2 2
(sc1.v.2)
3 3
BO .
Solution of these equations provides values of 3 and R 2
Kinematic analysis
For the slider-crank mechanism consider the following constant lengths: L2 = 0.12 and
L3 = 0.26 (SI units). For 2 = 65 o , 2 = 1.6 rad/sec, and 2 = 0 , solve the position, velocity
and acceleration equations for the unknowns.
Position analysis
For 2 = 65 o , we need to solve the position equations for 3 and RBO2 . Substituting the
known values in equations (sc1.p.1), we have
0.12 cos(65) + 0.26 cos 3 RBO2 = 0
(a)
0.12 sin(65) + 0.26 sin 3 = 0
The second row of the equation that simplifies to
0.12
sin 3 = sin(65) 3 = sin 1 ( 0.418 ) 3 = 24.73o (335.27 o ) or 204.73o
0.26
There are two solutions for 3 . Substituting any of these values in the first equation of (a) yields
the position of the slider:
RBO2 = 0.12 cos(65) + 0.26 cos(335.27) = 0.287 for 3 = 335.27 o
RBO2 = 0.12 cos(65) + 0.26 cos(204.73) = 0.185 for 3 = 204.73o
335 o
204 o
o 65 o
65
0.287 0.185
The two solutions are shown in the diagram. We select the solution that fits our application
here we select the first solution and continue with the rest of the kinematic analysis.
Velocity analysis
For 2 = 65 o , 3 = 335.27 o , RBO2 = 0.287 , and 2 = 1.6 rad/sec, the velocity equations in
(sc1.v.2) become
0.109 1 3 0.174
0.236 0 R = 0.081
BO2
Solving these two equations in two unknowns yields
3 = 0.344 rad/sec, R BO2 = 0.211
Acceleration analysis
Substituting all the known values for the coordinates and velocities in (sc1.a.2) provides the
acceleration equations as
0.109 1 3 1.577
0.236 0 R =
BO2 2.656
Solving these equations yields
BO = 0.035
3 = 1.125 rad/sec2, R 2
Observations
The analytical process for the kinematics of the slider-crank mechanism reveals the following
observations:
A mechanism with a single kinematic loop yields one vector-loop equation.
A vector loop equation can be represented as two algebraic position equations.
Position equations are non-linear in the coordinates (angles and distances). Non-linear
equations are difficult and time consuming to solve by hand. Numerical methods, such as
Newton-Raphson, are recommended for solving non-linear algebraic equations.
The time derivative of position equations yields velocity equations.
Velocity equations are linear in the velocities.
The time derivative of velocity equations yields acceleration equations.
Acceleration equations are linear in the accelerations.
The coefficient matrix of the velocities in the velocity equations and the coefficient matrix
of the accelerations in the acceleration equations are identical. This characteristic can be
used to simplify the solution process of these equations.
Four-bar
In a four-bar mechanism, generally for a known y RBA B
angle, velocity and acceleration of the input link, we A
attempt to find the angles, velocities and 3
accelerations of the other two links RAO 2 RBO 4
The vector loop equation for this four-bar is
constructed as 4
R AO2 + R BA R BO4 R O4O2 = 0 2 RO4 O2
The length of the links are x
RO4O2 = L1 , RAO2 = L2 , RBA = L3 , RBO4 = L4 O2 O4
We place the x-y frame at a convenient location as
shown. We define an angle (orientation) for each link according to our convention (CCW with
respect to the positive x-axis).
Position equations
The vector loop equation is projected onto the x- and y-axes to obtain two algebraic equations:
RAO2 cos 2 + RBA cos 3 RBO4 cos 4 RO4O2 cos 1 = 0
(fb-p.1)
RAO2 sin 2 + RBA sin 3 RBO4 sin 4 RO4O2 sin 1 = 0
Since 1 = 0 and the link lengths are known constants, the equations are simplified to:
L2 cos 2 + L3 cos 3 L4 cos 4 L1 = 0
(fb-p.2)
L2 sin 2 + L3 sin 3 L4 sin 4 = 0
Velocity equations
The time derivative of the position equations yields:
L2 sin 2 2 L3 sin 3 3 + L4 sin 4 4 = 0
(fb.v.1)
L2 cos 2 2 + L3 cos 3 3 L4 cos 4 4 = 0
Assuming the angular velocity of the crank, 2 , is known, we re-arrange and express these
equations in matrix form as
L3 sin 3 L4 sin 4 3 L2 sin 2 2
L cos L cos = L cos (fb.v.2)
3 3 4 4 4 2 2 2
Acceleration equations
The time derivative of the velocity equations yields the acceleration equations:
LBA sin 3 3 LBA cos 3 32 + LBO4 sin 4 4 + LBO4 cos 4 42 = LAO2 sin 2 2 + LAO2 cos 2 22
LBA cos 3 3 LBA sin 3 32 LBO4 cos 4 4 + LBO4 sin 4 42 = LAO2 cos 2 2 + LAO2 sin 2 22
(fb.a.1)
Assuming that 2 is known, we re-arrange the equations as
LBA sin 3 LBO4 sin 4 3 LAO2 (sin 2 2 + cos 2 22 ) + LBA cos 3 32 LBO4 cos 4 42
L cos =
BA 3 LBO4 cos 4 4 LAO2 (cos 2 2 sin 2 22 ) + LBA sin 3 32 LBO4 sin 4 42
(fb.a.2)
Kinematic analysis
Let us consider the following constant lengths: L1 = 5 , L2 = 2 , L3 = 6 , L4 = 4 . For
2 = 120 , 2 = 1.0 rad/sec, CCW, and 2 = 1.0 rad/sec2, determine the other two angles,
angular velocities, and angular accelerations.
Position analysis
For 2 = 120 we solve the position equations for 3 and 4 . Substituting the known lengths
and the input angle in (fb.p.2), we get
2 cos(120 o ) + 6 cos 3 4 cos 4 5 = 0
2 sin(120 o ) + 6 sin 3 4 sin 4 = 0
We have two nonlinear equations in two unknowns. We will consider a numerical method
(Newton-Raphson) for solving these equations, as will be seen next. At this point let us consider
the solution to be
3 = 0.3834 = 21.98
4 = 1.6799 = 96.24
Velocity analysis
With known values for the angles and the given input velocity, the velocity equation of
(fb.v.2) becomes:
Newton-Raphson Method
Newton-Raphson is a numerical method for solving non-linear algebraic equations. The
method is based on linearizing nonlinear equation(s) using Taylor series, then solving the
approximated linear equation(s) iteratively.
One Equation in One Unknown
Consider the nonlinear equation f (x) = 0 which contains one unknown x. The approximated
linearized equation is written as
df
f (x) + x 0
dx
The Newton-Raphson iterative formula is expressed as
df
x = f (x) / (N-R.1)
dx
The process requires an initial estimate for the solution. This value is used in (N-R.1) to compute
x . Then the computed value for x is used to update x as
x + x x (N-R.2)
The process is repeated until a solution is found; i.e., until f (x) = 0 .
Note: In iterative procedures such as N-R, if f (x) , where is a small positive number, we
must accept that a solution has been found.
Example
Find the root(s) of x 3 3x 2 10x + 24 = 0 using Newton-Raphson process.
Solution
We re-state the equation as f = x 3 3x 2 10x + 24 . The derivative of this function with
respect to the unknown is df / dx = 3x 2 6x 10 . To start the N-R process, we assume the
solution is at x = 10 . The following table shows the results from the iterative N-R process:
Iteration # x f df/dx x x + x
1 10 624.0000 230 -2.7130 7.2870
2 7.2870 178.7667 105.5775 -1.6932 5.5937
3 5.5937 49.2200 50.3070 -0.9784 4.6153
4 4.6153 12.2555 26.2120 -0.4676 4.1478
5 4.1478 2.2688 16.7257 -0.1356 4.0121
6 4.0121 0.1713 14.2189 -0.0120 4.0001
7 4.0001 0.0013 14.0017 -9.3x10-5 4.0000
8 4.0000 0.0000
Iteration # x f df/dx x x + x
1 -5 -126 95 1.3263 -3.6737
2 -3.6737 -29.3309 52.5300 0.5584 -3.1153
3 -3.1153 -4.1973 37.8076 0.1110 -3.0043
4 -3.0043 -0.1508 35.1033 0.0043 -3.0000
5 -3.0000 -2.2x10-4 35.0002 6.3x10-6 -3.0000
6 -3.0000 -4.8x10-8
We now know that x = 3.0 is another solution to this problem.
Obviously there should be a third solution since we are dealing with a quadratic function.
The following figure should clarify what the solutions are.
The process is repeated until a solution is found. Rather than checking whether each function
meets the condition f , we consider f12 + f22 for terminating the process.
Example (four-bar)
We apply the Newton-Raphson process to solve the position equations for a four-bar
mechanism. The position equations from Example 1 are expressed as:
f1 = 2 cos(120 o ) + 6 cos 3 4 cos 4 5
(a)
f2 = 2 sin(120 o ) + 6 sin 3 4 sin 4
Then N-R formula for these equations becomes:
1
f1 f1
3 4 f1
1
6 sin 3 4 sin 4 f1
= 3
= 6 cos
4 cos 4 f2
(b)
4 f2 f2 f2 3
3 4
From a rough sketch of the mechanism for the given input angle, we estimate the values for the
two unknowns to be:
3 30 o = 0.5236 rad, 4 90 o = 1.5708 rad
We start the Newton-Raphson process by evaluating the two functions in (a):
f1 = 2 cos(120 o ) + 6 cos(30 o ) 4 cos(90 o ) 5 = 0.8038
f2 = 2 sin(120 o ) + 6 sin(30 o ) 4 sin(90 o ) = 0.7321
These values show that our estimates are far from zeros. We evaluate (b):
1
3 3.0000 4.0000 0.8038 0.1409
= 5.1962 0.0000 0.7321 = 0.0953
4
Note that the corrections for the two angles are in radians not in degrees (this is always true).
Therefore the estimated values of the two angles are corrected as
3 0.5236 0.1409 = 0.3827 and 4 1.5708 + 0.0953 = 1.6661
The two equations in (a) are re-evaluated:
f1 = 0.0535 , f2 = 0.0092
Since these values are not zeros, the process is continued. After two more iterations the
process yields:
3 = 0.3834 = 21.98 , 4 = 1.6799 = 96.24
With these values, f1 and f2 are small enough to be considered zeros.
Secondary Computations
In addition to solving the kinematic equations for the coordinates, velocities and
accelerations, we may need to determine the kinematics of a point that is defined on one of the
links of the mechanism. Determining the kinematics of a point on a link is a secondary process
and it does not require solving any set of algebraic equationswe only need to evaluate one or
more expressions.
Example (four-bar)
We continue with the data for the four-bar example. Assume the coupler point is
positioned at 3 = 22.5 o , LPA = 5.5 . Substituting the known values for the angles, angular
velocities, and angular accelerations yields the coordinate, velocity, and acceleration of the
coupler point:
xP 5 cos(120 o ) + 5.5 cos(21.98 + 22.5 ) = 2.9253
R PO2 = =
yP 5 sin(120 ) + 5.5 sin(21.98 + 22.5 ) = 5.5846
o
x P 2.2693 xP 2.6399
VP = = , AP = =
yP 0.4526 yP 0.7908
Matlab Programs
Two Matlab programs (fourbar.m and fourbar_anim.m) are provided for kinematic
analysis of a four-bar mechanism containing a coupler point. The program fourbar.m performs
position, velocity, and acceleration analysis for a given angle of the crank. The program solves
for the unknown coordinates, velocities, and accelerations, and reports the results in numerical
form. The program fourbar_anim.m only performs position analysis. However, it repeatedly
increments the crank angle and reports the results in the form of an animation. Both programs
obtain the data for the four-bar from the file fourbar_data.
fourbar_data.m
The user is required to provide in this file the following data for the four-bar of interest:
Constant values for the link lengths ( L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 )
Initial angle of the crank ( 2 )
Estimates for the initial angles of the coupler and the follower ( 3 , 4 )
Other Mechanisms
Kinematic analysis of other mechanisms is similar to, and in some cases simpler than, that of
a four-bar. The followings are examples of position, velocity, and acceleration equations, and the
underlying objectives of kinematic analysis for some commonly used mechanisms.
Slider-crank (inversion 1 - offset)
Vector loop equation A
R AO2 + R BA R BO2 + R O2Q = 0 R AO 2
RBA
Constant: RAO2 = L2 , RBA = L3 , RO2Q = a (offset) O2
Position equations RO2Q
B
RAO2 cos 2 + RBA cos 3 RBQ cos 1 + RO2Q cos(90 o ) = 0 Q R BQ
RAO2 sin 2 + RBA sin 3 RBQ sin 1 + RO2Q sin(90 o ) = 0
Since 1 = 0 , we have:
L2 cos 2 + L3 cos 3 RBQ = 0
(sc1-o.p.1)
L2 sin 2 + L3 sin 3 + a = 0
Position analysis
For a given crank angle 2 , solve the position equations for 3 and RBQ .
Velocity and acceleration equations
The equations are identical to those of the non-offset system.
Q: What are the angular velocity and acceleration of the slider-block?
Slider-crank (inversion 2)
Vector loop equation
R AO2 R AO4 R O4O2 = 0 A
Constant: RAO2 = L2 , RO4O2 = L1 RAO 4
RAO 2 4
Position equations
L2 cos 2 RAO4 cos 4 L1 = 0 O2 RO4 O2 O4
(sc2.p.1)
L2 sin 2 RAO4 sin 4 = 0
Position analysis
For a given crank angle 2 , solve the position equations for 4 and RAO4 .
Velocity equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
L2 sin 2 2 + RAO4 sin 4 4 R AO4 cos 4 = 0
(sc2.v.1)
L2 cos 2 2 RAO4 cos 4 4 R AO4 sin 4 = 0
RAO4 sin 4 1 4 L2 sin 2 2
R cos =
0 R AO4 L2 cos 2 2
(sc2.v.2)
AO4 4
Velocity analysis
For a given crank velocity 2 , solve the velocity equations for 4 and R AO4 .
Acceleration equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
L2 sin 2 2 L2 cos 2 22 + RAO sin 4 4 + RAO cos 4 42 + 2 R AO sin 4 4 R
AO cos 4 = 0
4 4 4 4
(sc2.a.1)
L2 cos 2 2 L2 sin 2 22 RAO4 cos 4 4 + RAO4 sin 4 42 2 R AO4 cos 4 4 R
AO sin 4 = 0
4
Acceleration analysis
AO .
For a given crank acceleration 2 , solve the acceleration equations for 4 and R 4
(
a sin( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO sin 4 )
cos 4 4 L2 sin 2 2
=
4
(sc2-o.v.2)
(
a cos( 4 + 90 o ) RBO cos 4
4
sin
4
)
R BO4 L2 cos 2 2
Velocity analysis
For a given crank velocity 2 , solve the velocity equations for 4 and R BO4 .
Acceleration equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
(
L2 sin 2 2 L2 cos 2 22 + a sin( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO4 sin 4 4 )
( )
+ a cos( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO4 cos 4 42 + 2 R BO4 sin 4 4 R
BO cos 4 = 0
4
(sc2-o.a.1)
(
L2 cos 2 2 L2 sin 2 22 a cos( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO4 cos 4 4 )
( o
)
+ a sin( 4 + 90 ) + RBO4 sin 4 2 R BO4 cos 4 4 R
2
4
BO sin 4 = 0
4
(
a sin( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO sin 4 )
cos 4 4
BO =
4
(
a cos( 4 + 90 o ) RBO cos 4
4
sin 4 )
R 4
(sc2-o.a.2)
( 4 4
)
L2 (sin 2 2 + cos 2 22 ) a cos( 4 + 90 o ) + RBO cos 4 42 2 R BO sin 4 4
( )
L2 (cos 2 2 sin 2 2 ) a sin( 4 + 90 ) + RBO4 sin 4 4 + 2 RBO4 cos 4 4
2 o 2
Acceleration analysis
For a given crank acceleration 2 , solve the acceleration equations for 4 and R BO .
4
Slider-crank (inversion 3)
Vector loop equation 3
R AO2 + R O4 A R O4O2 = 0 A R O4 A
Constant: RAO2 = L2 , RO4O2 = L1 RAO 2
Position equations O4
O2 RO4 O2
L2 cos 2 + RO4 A cos 3 L1 = 0
(sc3.p.1)
L2 sin 2 + RO4 A sin 3 = 0
Position analysis
For a given crank angle 2 , solve the position equations for 3 and RO4 A .
Velocity equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
L2 sin 2 2 RO4 A sin 3 3 + RO4 A cos 3 = 0
(sc3.v.1)
L2 cos 2 2 + RO4 A cos 3 3 + RO4 A sin 3 = 0
RO4 A sin 3 cos 3 3 L2 sin 2 2
R cos =
sin 3 RO4 A L2 cos 2 2
(sc3.v.2)
O4 A 3
Velocity analysis
For a given crank velocity 2 , solve the velocity equations for 3 and RO4 A .
Acceleration equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
L2 sin 2 2 L2 cos 2 22 RO A sin 3 3 RO A cos 3 32 2 RO A sin 3 3 + R
O A cos 3 = 0
4 4 4 4
(sc3.a.1)
L2 cos 2 2 L2 sin 2 22 + RO4 A cos 3 3 RO4 A sin 3 32 + 2 RO4 A cos 3 3 + R
O A sin 3 = 0
4
Acceleration analysis
O A .
For a given crank acceleration 2 , solve the acceleration equations for 3 and R 4
Position analysis
For a given crank angle 2 , solve the position equations for 3 and RBA .
Velocity equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
L2 sin 2 2 RBA sin 3 3 + R BA cos 3 + a sin( 3 + 90 o ) 3 = 0
(sc3-o.v.1)
L2 cos 2 2 + RBA cos 3 3 + R BA sin 3 a cos( 3 + 90 o ) 3 = 0
( )
RBA sin 3 + a sin( 3 + 90 o ) cos 3 L sin
3 = 2 2 2
(sc3-o.v.2)
( )
RBA cos 3 a cos( 3 + 90 ) sin 3 RBA L2 cos 2 2
o
Velocity analysis
For a given crank angle 2 , solve the position equations for 3 and R BA .
Acceleration equations (in expanded and matrix forms)
(
L2 sin 2 2 L2 cos 2 22 RBA sin 3 a sin( 3 + 90 o ) 3)
( o
)
BA cos 3 RBA cos 3 a cos( 3 + 90 ) 2 R BA sin 3 3 = 0
+R 2
3
(sc3-o.a.1)
( )
L2 cos 2 2 L2 sin 2 + RBA cos 3 a cos( 3 + 90 o ) 3
2
2
( )
BA sin 3 RBA sin 3 a sin( 3 + 90 o ) 32 + 2 R BA cos 3 3 = 0
+R
( o
)
RBA sin 3 + a sin( 3 + 90 ) cos 3
3 =
( )
RBA cos 3 a cos( 3 + 90 o ) sin 3 R
BA
( )
L2 (sin 2 2 + cos 2 22 ) + RBA cos 3 a cos( 3 + 90 o ) 32 + 2 R BA sin 3 3
(sc3-o.a.2)
2
( o
)
L2 (cos 2 2 sin 2 2 ) + RBA sin 3 a sin( 3 + 90 ) 3 2 R BA cos 3 3
2
Acceleration analysis
BA .
For a given crank acceleration 2 , solve the acceleration equations for 3 and R
In any of the inversions of the slider-crank, the position equations contain one unknown
length and one unknown angle. These equations, compared to the position equations of a four-
bar, are simpler to solve by hand. However, it is highly recommended that the Matlab program
fourbar.m to be revised from a four-bar to any of the slider-crank inversions.
Six-bar Mechanism
This six-bar mechanism is
constructed from two four-bars in L5 C
series. There are three ground B 5
L3
attachment joints at O2 , O4 and O6 .
y L6 6
A 3
Position loop equations L7
L4
R AO2 + R BA R BO4 R O4O2 = 0 L2 4
7 O6
R BO4 + R CB R CO6 R O6O4 = 0 2 L1
1 O4
Constant angles: O2
x
1 = 1 and 7 = 7
Constant lengths: RO4O2 = L1 , RAO2 = L2 , RBA = L3 , RBO4 = L4 , RCB = L5 , RCO6 = L6 , RO6O4 = L7
Position equations
L2 cos 2 + L3 cos 3 L4 cos 4 L1 cos 1 = 0
L2 sin 2 + L3 sin 3 L4 sin 4 L1 sin 1 = 0
L4 cos 4 + L5 cos 5 L6 cos 6 L7 cos 7 = 0
L4 sin 4 + L5 sin 5 L6 sin 6 L7 sin 7 = 0
Velocity equations
L4 cos 4 42 + L5 cos 5 52 L6 cos 6 62
L4 sin 4 42 + L5 sin 5 52 L6 sin 6 62