Questions tagged [linkage]

A mechanical linkage is an system of connected bodies. The connections are called joints, that come in many flavors. Linkages allow you to design various path movements, speed profiles and force changes. The simplest possible linkage is a four bar mechanism and its special case the crank mechanism.

A mechanical linkage is a system of connected bodies. The connections are called joints, that come in many flavors. Linkages allow you to design various path movements, speed profiles and force changes.

This tag could be used for questions asking about the design or use of various mechanisms as described.

The simplest possible linkage is a four bar mechanism, because a triangle is fully defined. Another simple mechanism is the crank mechanism that can be thought of as a special case of the four bar.

A four bar mechanism

Image 1: A simplified schematic of a four bar mechanism. Links A-B, B-C, C-D and the ground connection form four bars. The circles represent rotational joints.

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Linkage of two shafts that need to rotate different angles

I have two switches that have different throw angles the switches have shafts coming out of them which are connected the the cams that can be seen in the attached pic. One needs to rotate 95 degrees to throw and the other 83 degrees to throw, the…
Cooper
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What is this bistate linkage?

I've found this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hWK8Gv0JHqk?t=220 Watch from 3:40 to 4:20. I'd like to learn more about this linkage that makes that link alternate between hitting and missing the sliding link. I've searched for the animated…
GuiRitter
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Why does this linkage calculate log?

From wikipedia, there's this animated GIF of a linkage. Question: How does it calculate log? All I see there are trig functions and circles. log doesn't show up in geometric maths, does it? My friend thinks it's just a (lucky) approximation.
Greg Bell
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"Snapping" shut/quickly closing gates

Suppose you have a set of two gates like so: Where you only want one of the gates to be in the "open" (non-blocking") position at any given time, this being the other possible state: How could you go about ensuring that only one of these is open…
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Rotating a series of lights such that each one rotates more than the previous one

I want to rotate a series of lights that are all spaced evenly from each other with a single actuator such that when the first light rotates 1 degree, the second one will rotate 2 degrees and the third 3 degrees etc. Does anyone know of a way to do…
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How to do linkage analysis for a two-arm lever?

I am not a mechanical engineer and am hoping someone can explain in simple terms how to do a linkage analysis for a two-armed lever. An example of such a linkage is shown below in the illustration of a tailstock driving lever for a Potter…
Wallace Park
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