Dynamic Interactions of Link Elasticity and Clearance Connections in Planar Mechanical Systems

This study is an investigation of the effects of clearances and link flexibility on the stresses in joints of high speed mechanisms. A general large angular motion mathematical model is developed using an efficient mathematical formulation based on displacement functions. Numerical solution of the model reveals that over a wide operating range, link flexibility consistently reduces joint bearing stresses. The possibility of developing simple design procedures for quantitative prediction of joint bearing stresses is discussed.