Mechanisms

Crank and slotted lever mechanism

• The crank AB rotates about the fixed centre A, the end B having the form of a
sliding block which fits the slot in link CD.
• As B rotates about A, it slides up and down in link CD, and causes this to
oscillate about the centre C (pivot point of slotted link) so that as CD oscillates,
the ram is operated backwards and forwards.
• The quick return feature is derived from the configuration of the mechanism.
• When the link in position CD1 is tangential to the pitch circle of B, the ram will
be at extreme backward position of its stroke and when it is at D2, the extreme
forward position of the stroke will be reached.
• The time taken by cutting and idle stroke of the ram is proportional to the
angles B2 K B1 and B2 L B1 respectively.
• The ratio between cutting time and idle time may be determined by using
following formula :

• Cutting time to return time ratio usually varies between 2:1 and practical limit is
3:2.
• The cutting speed and return speed is not constant through out the stroke. It is
minimum when rocker arm is at the two extremities and speed is maximum
when the rocker arm is vertical.
Whitworth quick return mechanism
• Thus the angle turned by driving crank i.e. 0 will be for
cutting stroke and or (360 degree - theta) will be for
return stroke.
• Since driving link 3 rotates at uniform angular speed, the
ratio of cutting stroke to return stroke time will be given
by,

• As theta is always greater than 180°, therefore the ratio

theta/ (360°-theta) is always greater than 1. Hence time
required for cutting stroke is greater than return stroke.
• Thus, for return stroke no cutting operation is done in
shaper machine. So it is quicker than cutting stroke. Hence
this mechanism is called as quick return mechanism.
 Straight line motion mechanism made up of
turning pair
• Let O be a point on the circumference of a circle of diameter OP.
• Let OA be any chord and B is a point on OA produced, such that,

But OP is constant as it is the diameter of a circle,

therefore, if OA×OB is constant, then OQ will be
constant.
Hence the point B moves along the straight path BQ
which is perpendicular to OP
 PEAUCELLIER MECHANISM
• It consists of a fixed link OO1 and the other straight links O1A , OC, OD, AD, DB, BC and CA
are connected by turning pairs at their intersections, as shown in Fig.
• The pin at A is constrained to move along the circumference of a circle with the fixed
diameter OP, by means of the link O1A .
 Geneva wheel mechanism
Geneva wheel: The Geneva wheel as shown in
Fig.4.10, consists of a plate 1, which rotates
continuously and contains a driving pin P that
engages in a slot in the driven member 3.
Member 2 is turned ¼ th of a revolution for
each revolution of plate 1. The slot in member
2 must be tangential to the path of pin upon
engagement in order to reduce shock. The
angle ẞ is half the angle turned through by
member 2 during the indexing period. The
locking plate serves to lock member 2 when it
is not being indexed. Cut the locking plate back
to provide clearance for member 2 as it swings
through the indexing angle. The clearance arc
in the locking plate will be equal to twice the
angle alpha.
Ratchet and Pawl mechanism
Ratchet mechanism: This mechanism is
used to produce intermittent circular
motion from an oscillating or
reciprocating member. Fig shows the
details of a ratchet mechanism. Wheel
4 is given intermittent circular motion
by means of arm 2 and driving pawl 3.
A second pawl 5 prevents 4 from
turning backward when 2 is rotated
clockwise in preparation for another
stroke. The line of action PN of the
driving pawl and tooth must pass
between centers O and A in order to
have the pawl 3 remain in contact with
the tooth. This mechanism is used
particularly in counting devices.
 Pantograph
Pantograph is a mechanism or kinematic
arrangement used to reproduce drawings to
different scale.
• This mechanism is generally used in copying
devices like engraving or profile machines.
• Pantograph is made up of bars connected by
turning pairs.
• It consists of four links AB, BC, CD and DA
which form a parallelogram.

Link AB = Link CD and both are parallel; similarly Link BC = Link AD and both are parallel.
• Now extend any two adjacent links, let CB to O and CD to M in such a way that, both the
points lie in a straight line through point A. Hence points OAM lie in a straight line.
• Mark point O or M as the fixed pivot point. Here, point O is made as pivot point.
• It is important to note that, for all relative positions of the links OBA and OCM are
similar and hence points OAM lie on a straight line.
• It may be proved that, point M traces the same path as described by point A. From similar
triangles OBA and OCM,
In Fig. 2.14, OB'C'A'D'M' shows another position of the mechanism.
• If point O is fixed and points A and M move to some new position A' and M' then,

From Fig. 2.14 it is clear that, AA' is parallel to MM', hence if point O is fixed by means of
turning pair and A is attached to a point in the machine which has rectilinear motion
(straight line), then point M will also trace a straight line path
• If point M is constrained to move in a straight line, then point A will trace straight line
which is parallel to MM'
 Toggle mechanism
In slider crank mechanism as the crank
approaches one of its dead - centre position
the slider approaches zero. The ratio of the
crank movement to the slider movement
approaching infinity is proportional to the
mechanical advantage. This is the principle
used in toggle mechanism. A mechanism is
used when a large force act through a short
distance is required. Fig. below shows a toggle
mechanism. Links CD and CE are of same
length.

Thus for a given value of P. as the links CD and CE approaches collinear position (i.e., α0), the
force F rises rapidly (i.e., F ∞). Toggle Mechanisms are used in toggle clamps. rivetting
machines, punch presses, stone crushers, etc. The toggle principle is also used in switches.
circuit breakers, etc
Ackermann Steering Gear Mechanism
• This mechanism is made of only turning pairs and is based on a 4 - bar mechanism. As this is
made of only turning pairs wear and tear of the parts is less and cheaper in manufacturing. The
cross link KL connects two short axles AC and BD of the front wheels through the short links
AK and BL which forms bell crank levers CAK and DBL respectively as shown in Fig. above.
ABLK forms a four bar mechanism. In the mean position when the vehicle is moving along a
straight path as shown in Fig. below (a), the longer links AB and KL are parallel and the
shorter links AK and BL are inclined at an angle α.
• When the vehicle steers to the right as shown in Fig. below (b), the short link BL is turned so
as to increase α, where as the long link LK causes the other short link AK to turn so as to
reduce α.
• The fundamental equation for correct steering is, cot (phi)- cot (theta)=b/l
• In the above arrangement it is clear that the angle phi, through which AK turns is less than the
angle theta through which BL turns and therefore the left front axle turns through a smaller
angle than the right front axle.
• For different angle of turn theta. the corresponding value of phi are noted. This is done by
actually drawing the mechanism to a scale or by calculation. Therefore for different value of
theta, the corresponding value of phi and (cot(phi) - cot (theta)) are tabulated. Approximate
value of b/l for correct steering should be between 0.4 and 0.5. In an Ackermann steering gear
mechanism, the instantaneous centre does not lie on the axis of rear axle but on a line parallel
to the rear axle as, at an approximate distance 0.3l above it.
• Three correct steering positions will be (i) When moving straight (ii) When moving at one
correct angle to the right corresponding to the link ratio AK/AB and angle α (iii) Similar
position when moving to the left. In all other positions, pure rolling is not obtainable.
 Condition for correct steering
The relative motion between the wheels of the
vehicle and the road surface should be pure rolling
one
In order to satisfy this condition when the vehicle is
moving along a curved path. the steering gear mast
he so designed that the paths of points of contact of
each wheel with the ground are concentric circular
arcs. Steering is usually effected by turning the axes
of rotation of the two front wheels relative to the
chassis or body of the vehicle, and, to satisfy the
above condition, the axis of the wheel on the inside
of the curve must be turned through a larger angle
than the axis of the wheel on the outside of the
curve.
The front wheels are mounted on short separate
axles which are pivoted to the chassis of the Car.
 Fig. above shows the plan view in which AB and CD are
the two axles with pivot, at A and C. When turning to
the right the axes AB and CD intersect the common
axis EF of the rear wheels at the point G, so that the
path of contact of each wheel with the ground is a
circular arc with centre G.
From Fig. above
AC = EF = EG- FG

So for correct steering, the steering gear must obey this equation whatever may be the
radius of curvature of the path followed by the car.