11.7 Four-Position Synthesis; Point-Position Reduction 339 Figure 11.10 ‘The solution to the problem is illustrated in Fig. 11.10 and is based on inverting the linkage on link 4. First we draw the input rocker OA in the three specified positions and locate a desired position for O,. Because we will invert on link 4 in the first design posi- tion, we draw a ray from Og to A2 and rotate it backward through the angle 12 to locate A, Similarly, we draw another ray O43 and rotate it backward through the angle $3 to locate A’. Because we are inverting on the first design position, A; and A‘, are coincident. Now we draw midnormals to the lines 4 A and AA’. These intersect at By and define the length of the coupler link 3 and the length and starting position of link 4. 11.7 FOUR-POSITION SYNTHESIS; POINT-POSITION REDUCTION In the technique called point-position reduction the linkage is made symmetrical about the frame centerline O20, to cause two of the A’ points to be coincident. The effect of this is to produce three equivalent A’ points through which a circle can be drawn as in three- position synthesis. This technique is best illustrated by an example. Let us synthesize a linkage to generate the function y = log.x over the interval 10 < x < 60 using an input crank range of 120° and an output range of 90° ‘The angle 1 is evaluated for the four design positions from the equation yr = ax +b and from the boundary conditions yy = 0 when x = 10 and yy = 120° when x = 60. This gives ¥ = 2.40x — 24. The angle ¢ is evaluated in exactly the same manner; thus, we get @ = 50y — 115. The results of this preliminary work are shown in Table 11.1 For the starting position a choice of four arrangements is shown in Fig. 11.11. In parta the line O20, bisects both yz and 12; and so, if the output member is turned counter- clockwise from the O,B) position, then A’, and A} will be coincident and at A). The inversion would then be based on the OB, position. Then A; would be rotated through the angle @1; about Os counterclockwise to A4, and Ag would be rotated through the angle $14 to Ay, In Fig. 11.11b the line O20, bisects 2s and ys, while in Fig. 11.11d the angles Yi4 and @14 are bisected. In obtaining the inversions for each case, great care must be taken to ensure that rotation is made in the correct direction and with the correct angles.