Experiment 2

Simple Four-Bar Linkage Mechanism

The objective of this experiment is to study a four-bar linkage system by

finding its transmission and dead point angles.

For planar mechanisms, the simplest groups of planar mechanisms are four-bar
linkage systems. According to Grashofs theorem, a four-bar mechanism has at least
one revolving link if: s +l p+q

All 3 links will rock if: s +l> p+q

Where:
s = length of the shortest bar
l = length of longest bar
p, q = length of intermediate bars

All mechanisms involving four bars will fall into a category listed in Table 2.1

In Figure 2.2, if AB is the input link, then the force applied to the output link
CD is transmitted through the coupler link BC. The angle between link BC and DC is
called the transmission angle,
 In Figure 2.3, when link AB becomes aligned with the coupler link BC, it can
only be compressed or extended by the coupler. In this configuration, a torque
applied to the link CD will not induce a rotation in link AB. This link is therefore said
to be at a dead point .

Procedure:
1. Set the fixed bar a at 4.
2. Observe the movement of the four bar linkage mechanism.
3. Find the first dead point, then measure Dead point angle and transmission
angle .
4. Repeat step 3 for the second dead point.
5. Set the fixed bar a at 6.
6. Repeat the steps 2, 3, 4.
Results: