Machines and Mechanisms

• A mechanism is a device which transforms

motion to some desirable pattern and
typically develops very low forces and
transmits little power.
• A machine typically contains mechanisms
which are designed to provide significant
forces and transmit significant power.
Machines and Mechanisms

• A useful working definition of a mechanism is

A system of elements arranged to transmit
motion in a predetermined fashion.
• On the other hand, a machine is A system of
elements arranged to transmit motion and
energy in a predetermined fashion.
• Some of the examples of mechanisms and
machines are:
Mechanisms

Moves packages from an assembly

bench to a conveyor
 Inversions of Mechanism

Absolute motion is measured with respect to a

stationary frame. Relative motion is measured
for one point or link with respect to another link.
when one of links is fixed in a kinematic chain, it
is called a mechanism.
CONTDD..

• So we can obtain as many mechanisms as the

number of links in a kinematic chain by fixing,
in turn, different links in a kinematic chain.
This method of obtaining different
mechanisms by fixing different links in a
kinematic chain, is known as inversion of the
mechanism
Inversion of Mechanism

The most important kinematic chains are those which

consist of four lower pairs, each pair being a sliding
pair or a turning pair. The following three types of
kinematic chains with four lower pairs are important
from the subject point of view :
1. Four bar chain or quadric cyclic chain,
2. Single slider crank chain,
3. Double slider crank chain.
These kinematic chains are discussed, in detail, in the
following articles.
 Inversion of Mechanism
1.Four Bar Chain or Quadric Cycle Chain
We have already discussed that the kinematic chain is a
combination of four or more kinematic pairs, such that the
relative motion between the links or elements is completely
constrained.
The simplest and the basic kinematic chain is a four- bar chain
quadric cycle chain, as shown in Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.1 Four bar chain

It consists of four links, each of them forms a turning pair at A, B,
C and D. The four links may be of different lengths.
Inversion of Mechanism

In a four bar chain, one of the links, in particular the

shortest link, will make a complete revolution relative to
the other three links, if it satisfies the Grashof ’s law.
Such a link is known as crank or driver.
In Fig. 1.1, AD (link 4 ) is a crank. The link BC (link 2)
which makes a partial rotation or oscillates is known as
lever or rocker or follower and the link CD (link 3) which
connects the crank and lever is called connecting rod or
coupler. The fixed link AB (link 1) is known as frame of
the mechanism.
When the crank (link 4) is the driver, the mechanism is
transforming rotary motion into oscillating motion.
Inversion of Mechanism
A very important consideration in designing a mechanism is to
ensure that the input crank makes a complete revolution relative to
the other links. The mechanism in which no link makes a complete
revolution will not be useful in such applications. For the four-bar
linkage there is a very simple test of whether this is the case.
Grashof’s law for four-bar mechanism.
If one of the links can perform a full rotation relative to another
link, the linkage is called a Grashof mechanism. Grashof’s law
states that for a planar four-bar mechanism (linkage), the sum of
the shortest and longest link lengths can not be greather than the
sum of the other two link lengths if there is to be continuous relative
motion between two members.
Inversion of Mechanism
Fig. 1.33. Four inversions of the Grashof chain

a) b) c) d)
<
Inversion of Mechanism

It should be notted that nothing in Grashof’s law specifies the

order in which the links are connected or which link of the four
–bar chain is fixed. Hence, by fixing any of the four links, we
create four inversions of the four –bar mechanism shown in
Fig.1.1
The drag-link mechanism is obtained by fixing the shortest link
s as the frame, as shown in Fig. 1.1 In this inversion, both links
adjacent to s can rotate continously, and both are properly
described as cranks: the shortest of the two is generally used
as the input
If the shortest links is adjacent to the fixed link, as shown in
Figs.1.1b, a crank-rocker mechanism is obtained. Link s, the
crank, since it is able to rotate continously , and link p, which
can only oscilate between limits, is the rocker.
 Inversion of Mechanism

By fixing the link opposite to s we obtain the the third

inversion, the double-rocker mechanism of Fig. 1.33c. Note
that although link s is able to make a complete revolution ,
neither link adjacent to the frame can do so; both must
oscilate between limits and are therefore rockers.
If i.e. or s=p and l=q then, the forth
inversion, the parallelogram or change-point or
crossover-position mechanism is optained as shown in
Fig.1.33d.
In each of these inversions , the shortest link s is adjacent to
the longest link l . However, exactly the same types of linkages
inversions will occur if the longest link l is opposite the
shortest links.
Inversion of Mechanism

AI-Inversions of Four Bar Chain

Though there are many inversions of the four bar
chain, yet the following are important from the
subject point of view :
1. Beam engine (crank and lever(rocker)
mechanism).
2. Coupling rod of a locomotive (Double crank
mechanism).
3. Watt’s indicator mechanism (Double
lever(rocker) mechanism).
Inversion of Mechanism
1. Beam engine (crank and lever (rocker) mechanism
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A part of the mechanism of a beam engine (also known as crank and lever
mechanism) which consists of four links, is shown in Figs. 1.34 and 1.35 .

Fig. 1.2 Beam engine Fig.1.3 Beam engine mechanism

In this mechanism, when the crank rotates about the fixed centre A, the lever
oscillates about a fixed centre D. The end E of the lever CDE is connected to a
piston rod which reciprocates due to the rotation of the crank. In other
words, the purpose of this mechanism is to convert rotary motion into
reciprocating motion.
Inversion of Mechanism
2. Coupling rod of a locomotive (Double crank mechanism).
The mechanism of a coupling rod of a locomotive (also known as double crank
mechanism) which consists of four links, is shown in Fig. 1.36.
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Fig. 1.4. Coupling rod of a locomotive

In this mechanism, the links AD and BC (having equal length) act as cranks and are
connected to the respective wheels. The link CD acts as a coupling rod and the link AB
is fixed in order to maintain a constant centre to centre distance between them.
This mechanism is used for transmitting rotary motion from one wheel to the other
wheel.
 Inversion of Mechanism
3. Watt’s indicator (Double rocker) mechanism.
A Watt’s indicator mechanism (also known as Watt's straight line mechanism or double lever mechanism) which
consists of four links, is shown in Fig. 1.37.

Fig.1.5. Watt’s indicator mechanism

The four links are : fixed link at A, link AC, link CE and link BFD. It may be noted that BF and FD form
one link because these two parts have no relative motion between them. The links CE and BFD act as
levers. The displacement of the link BFD is directly proportional to the pressure of gas or steam which
acts on the indicator plunger. On any small displacement of the mechanism, the tracing point E at the
end of the link CE traces out approximately a straight line.
The initial position of the mechanism is shown in Fig. 1.37 by full lines whereas the dotted lines
show the position of the mechanism when the gas or steam pressure acts on the indicator plunger.
 Inversion of Mechanism

B. Single Slider Crank Chain

A single slider crank chain is a modification of the basic four bar chain.
It consist of one sliding pair and three turning pairs. It is, usually,
found in reciprocating steam engine mechanism. This type of
mechanism converts rotary motion into reciprocating motion and vice
versa.

Fig. 1.6. Single slider crank chain

 Inversion of Mechanism

In a single slider crank chain, as shown in Fig. 1.38,

the links 1 and 2, links 2 and 3, and links 3 and 4 form
three turning pairs while the links 4 and 1 form a
sliding pair.
The link 1 corresponds to the frame of the engine,
which is fixed. The link 2 corresponds to the crank ;
link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod and link 4
corresponds to cross-head. As the crank rotates, the
cross-head reciprocates in the guides and thus the
piston reciprocates in the cylinder.
Inversion of Mechanism

BI: Inversions of Single Slider Crank Chain

We have seen in the previous article that a single
slider crank chain is a four-link mechanism. We know
that by fixing, in turn, different links in a kinematic
chain, an inversion is obtained and we can obtain as
many mechanisms as the links in a kinematic chain. It
is thus obvious, that four inversions of a single slider
crank chain are possible. These inversions are found in
the following mechanisms.
 Inversion of Mechanism

1. Pendulum pump or Bull engine.

In this mechanism, the inversion is obtained by fixing
the cylinder or link 4 (i.e. sliding pair), as shown in Fig.
1.39. In this case, when the crank (link 2) rotates, the
connecting rod (link 3) oscillates about a pin pivoted to
the fixed link 4 at A and the piston attached to the
piston rod (link 1) reciprocates. The duplex pump
which is used to supply feed water to boilers have two
pistons attached to link 1, as shown in Fig. 1.39.
Inversion of Mechanism

Fig. 1.7Pendulum pump

 Inversion of Mechanism
2. Oscillating cylinder engine. The arrangement of oscillating cylinder engine
mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1.40, is used to convert reciprocating motion
into rotary motion. In this mechanism, the link 3 forming the turning pair is
fixed. The link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod of a reciprocating steam
engine mechanism. When the crank (link 2) rotates, the piston attached to
piston rod (link 1) reciprocates and the cylinder (link 4) oscillates about a pin
pivoted to the fixed link at A.

Fig.1.8 Oscilating cylinder engine

Inversion of Mechanism

3. Rotary internal combustion engine or Gnome engine.

Sometimes back, rotary internal combustion engines
were used in aviation. But presently gas turbines are
used in its place. It consists of seven cylinders in one
plane and all revolves about fixed centre D, as shown in
Fig. 1.8, while the crank (link 2) is fixed. In this
mechanism, when the connecting rod (link 4) rotates,
the piston (link 3) reciprocates inside the cylinders
forming link 1.
Inversion of Mechanism

Fig. 1.9
 Inversion of Mechanism

4. Crank and slotted lever quick return motion mechanism. This

mechanism is mostly used in shaping machines, slotting
machines and in rotary internal combustion engines.

Fig.1.10
 Inversion of Mechanism

In this mechanism, the link AC (i.e. link 3) forming the turning

pair is fixed, as shown in Fig. 1.10. The link 3 corresponds to the
connecting rod of a reciprocating steam engine. The driving
crank CB revolves with uniform angular speed about the fixed
centre C. A sliding block attached to the crank pin at B slides
along the slotted bar AP and thus causes AP to oscillate about
the pivoted point A. A short link PR transmits the motion from AP
to the ram which carries the tool and reciprocates along the line
of stroke R1R2. The line of stroke of the ram (i.e. R1R2) is
perpendicular to AC produced.
 Inversion of Mechanism

Whitworth quick return motion mechanism

5. Whitworth quick return motion mechanism.

Fig. 1.11
Inversion of Mechanism

This mechanism is mostly used in shaping and slotting machines. In this

mechanism, the link CD (link 2) forming the turning pair is fixed, as shown in
Fig. 1.43. The link 2 corresponds to a crank in a reciprocating steam engine.
The driving crank CA (link 3) rotates at a uniform angular speed. The slider
(link 4) attached to the crank pin at A slides along the slotted bar PA (link 1)
which oscillates at a pivoted point D. The connecting rod PR carries the ram at
R to which a cutting tool is fixed. The motion of the tool is constrained along
the line RD produced, i.e. along a line passing through D and perpendicular to
CD.
 Inversion of Mechanism

When the driving crank CA moves from the position CA1 to CA2 (or
the link DP from the position DP1 to DP2) through an angle α in the
clockwise direction, the tool moves from the left hand end of its
stroke to the right hand end through a distance 2 PD. Now when the
driving crank moves from the position CA2 to CA1 (or the link DP
from DP2 to DP1 ) through an angle β in the clockwise direction, the
tool moves back from right hand end of its stroke to the left hand
end.
A little consideration will show that the time taken during the left to
right movement of the ram (i.e. during forward or cutting stroke) will
be equal to the time taken by the driving crank to move from CA1 to
CA2. Similarly, the time taken during the right to left movement of
the ram (or during the idle or return stroke) will be equal to the time
taken by the driving crank to move from CA2 to CA1.
Inversion of Mechanism

Since the crank link CA rotates at uniform angular velocity

therefore time taken during the cutting stroke (or forward
stroke) is more than the time taken during the return
stroke. In other words, the mean speed of the ram during
cutting stroke is less than the mean speed during the return
stroke. The ratio between the time taken during the cutting
and return strokes is given by
Time of cutting stroke/ Time of return stroke
= α/ β =α/( 360 °- α) or = (360 °− β)/ β
Note. In order to find the length of effective stroke R1 R2,
mark P1 R1 = P2 R2 = PR. The length of effective stroke is
also equal to 2 PD.
 Inversion of Mechanism
C-Double Slider Crank Chain
A kinematic chain which consists of two turning pairs
and two sliding pairs is known as double slider crank
chain, as shown in Fig. 1.11 We see that the link 2 and
link 1 form one turning pair and link 2 and link 3 form
the second turning pair. The link 3 and link 4 form one
sliding pair and link 1 and link 4 form the second sliding
pair.
 Inversion of Mechanism

C.Inversions of Double Slider Crank Chain

The following three inversions of a double slider crank chain
Are important from the subject point of view:
1. Elliptical trammels. It is an instrument used for
drawing ellipses. This inversion is obtained by fixing
the slotted plate (link 4), as shown in Fig. 1.11. The
fixed plate or link 4 has two straight grooves cut in
it, at right angles to each other. The link 1 and link
3, are known as sliders and form sliding pairs with
link 4. The link AB (link 2) is a bar which forms
turning pairs with links 1 a
Inversion of Mechanism

Fig.1.12 Eliptical trammels

Inversion of Mechanism

When the links 1 and 3 slide along their respective grooves, any
point on the link 2 such as P traces out an ellipse on the surface
of link 4, as shown in Fig. 1.12 (a). A little consideration will show
that AP and BP are the semi-major axis and semi-minor axis of
the ellipse respectively.
Inversion of Mechanism
2. Scotch yoke mechanism.
This mechanism is used for converting rotary
motion into a reciprocating motion. The
inversion is obtained by fixing either the link 1 or
link 3. In Fig. 1.45, link 1 is fixed. In this
mechanism, when the link 2 (which corresponds
to crank) rotates about B as centre, the link 4
(which corresponds to a frame) reciprocates.
The fixed link 1 guides the frame.
Inversion of Mechanism

Fig 1.13 Scotch yoke mechanism.

Inversion of Mechanism

3. Oldham’s coupling.
An Oldham's coupling is used for connecting two parallel shafts
whose axes are at a small distance apart. The shafts are coupled in
such a way that if one shaft rotates, the other shaft also rotates at
the same speed. This inversion is obtained by fixing the link 2, as
shown in Fig. 1.14
The link 1 and link 3 form turning pairs with link 2. These flanges
have diametrical slots cut in their inner faces, as shown in Fig. 1.46
(a). The intermediate piece (link 4) which is a circular disc, have two
tongues (i.e. diametrical projections) T1 and T2 on each face at right
angles to each other, as shown in Fig. 1.46 (b). The tongues on the
link 4 closely fit into the slots in the two flanges (link 1 and link 3).
The link 4 can slide or reciprocate in the slots in the flanges.
 Inversion of Mechanism

Fig. 1.14 Oldham’s coupling.