Design of single- and multiple-dwell six-link mechanisms through design optimization

Abstract Nonlinear programming techniques are applied to a class of six-bar linkages to produce single- and multiple-dwell mechanisms. The six-bar linkage consists of a four-bar crank-rocker mechanism driving a slider crank mechanism from a coupler point. The dwell position(s) may be specified at any value of input link rotation and may last for any reasonable duration. The total stroke and the location of the slider at each dwell position may also be specified. A design optimization problem is formed which attempts to generate a linkage in which the slider link will travel in a circular path and thus produce a dwell period in the cycle at the appropriate link position. This problem is then solved by an exterior penalty function technique. The linkage model is constructed using the vector loop approach and examples for both a single- and double-dwell mechanism are included. Extensions including velocity, acceleration and transmission angle constraints are also discussed.