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Chapter-3&4 Velocity and Acceleration Analysis
Chapter-3&4 Velocity and Acceleration Analysis
The instantaneous centre method is convenient and easy to apply in simple mechanisms,
whereas the relative velocity method may be used to any configuration diagram.
The number of instantaneous centres in a constrained kinematic chain is equal to the number
of possible combinations of two links. The number of pairs of links or the number of
instantaneous centres is the number of combinations of n links taken two at a time.
Mathematically, number of instantaneous centres,
The instantaneous centres for a mechanism are of the following three types :
The instantaneous centres I12 and I14 are called the fixed instantaneous centres as they
remain in the same place for all configurations of the mechanism. The instantaneous centres
I23 and I34 are the permanent instantaneous centres as they move when the mechanism
moves, but the joints are of permanent nature. The instantaneous centres I13 and I24 are
neither fixed nor permanent instantaneous centres as they vary with the configuration of
the mechanism.
The following rules may be used in locating the instantaneous centres in a mechanism:
1. When the two links are connected by a pin joint (or pivot joint), the instantaneous centre
lies on the centre of the pin as shown in Fig.1 (a). Such a instantaneous centre is of permanent
nature, but if one of the links is fixed, the instantaneous centre will be of fixed type.
2. When the two links have a pure rolling contact (i.e. link 2 rolls without slipping upon the
fixed link 1 which may be straight or curved), the instantaneous centre lies on their point of
contact, as shown in Fig. 1 (b). The velocity of any point A on the link 2 relative to fixed link
1 will be perpendicular to I12 A and is proportional to I12 A . In other words
The Aronhold Kennedy’s theorem states that if three bodies move relatively to each other,
they have three instantaneous centres all of which lie under same line.
Consider three kinematic links A, B and C having relative plane motion. The number of
instantaneous centres (N) is given by
In determining the velocity of points on a mechanism, the concept of instant centers can be
used as an alternative approach to the relative velocity method. This approach is based on
the fact that any link, regardless of the complexity of its motion, instantaneously
appears to be in pure rotation about a single point. This instantaneous pivot point is
termed the instant center of rotation for the particular link. The instant center for a floating
link1, link 3, in relation to the frame is shown as (13) in Figure 6.23.
Using this concept, each link can be analyzed as if it were undergoing pure rotation. An
instant center may exist on or off the body, and its position is not fixed in time. As a link
moves, its instant center also moves. However, the velocities of different points on a
mechanism are also instantaneous. Therefore, this fact does not place a serious restriction on
the analysis. This concept also extends to relative motion. That is, the motion of any link,
relative to any other link, instantaneously appears to be rotating only about a single point.
Again, the imagined pivot point is termed the instant center between the two links. For
example, if two links were designated as 1 and 3, the instant center would be the point at
which link 3 instantaneously appears to be rotating relative to link 1. This instant center is
designated as (13) and verbalized as “one three,” not thirteen. Note that the instant center
1. In a pin jointed four bar mechanism, as shown in Fig. 6.9, AB = 300 mm, BC = CD =
360 mm, and AD = 600 mm. The angle BAD = 60°. The crank AB rotates uniformly at
100 r.p.m. Locate all the instantaneous centres and find the angular velocity of the link
BC.
Given :
NAB = 100 r.p.m or ωAB = 2 π × 100/60 = 10.47 rad/s
Since the length of crank AB = 300 mm = 0.3 m, therefore velocity of point B on link AB,
Location of instantaneous centres
The instantaneous centres are located as discussed below:
1. Since the mechanism consists of four links (i.e. n = 4 ), therefore number of instantaneous
centres,
2. For a four-bar mechanism, the book keeping table may be drawn as discussed in Art. 6.10.
3. Locate the fixed and permanent instantaneous centres by inspection. These centres are I12,
I23, I34 and I14, as shown in Fig. 1.
4. Locate the remaining neither fixed nor permanent instantaneous centres by Aronhold
Kennedy’s theorem. This is done by circle diagram as shown in Fig. 1. Mark four points
(equal to the number of links in a mechanism) 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the circle.
2. Locate all the instantaneous centres of the slider crank mechanism as shown in Fig.
1a. The lengths of crank OB and connecting rod AB are 100 mm and 400 mm
Fig.1a
Fig.1
VELOCITY OF A LINK
Several points on a link can have drastically different linear velocities. This is especially true
as the link simply rotates about a fixed point, as in Figure 1. In general, the motion of a link
can be rather complex as it moves (translates) and spins (rotates). Any motion, however
complex, can be viewed as a combination of a straight-line movement and a rotational
movement. Fully describing the motion of a link can consist of identification of the linear
motion of one point and the rotational motion of the link.
Although several points on a link can have different linear velocities, being a rigid body, the
entire link has the same angular velocity. Angular velocity, ω, of a link is the angular
displacement of that link per unit of time. Recall that rotational displacement of a link, Δθ, is
defined as the angular change in orientation of that link. Mathematically, angular velocity of
a link is expressed as:
(6.4)
and for short time periods, or when the velocity can be assumed linear,
For a link in pure rotation, the magnitude of the linear velocity of any point attached to the
link is related to the angular velocity of the link. This relationship is expressed as
V= rω (1)
where:
v = |V| = magnitude of the linear velocity of the point of consideration
r = distance from the center of rotation to the point of consideration
ω = angular velocity of the rotating link that contains the point of consideration
Linear velocity is always perpendicular to a line that connects the center of the link rotation
to the point of consideration. Thus, linear velocity of a point on a link in pure rotation is often
called the tangential velocity. This is because the linear velocity is tangent to the circular
path of that point, or perpendicular to the line that connects the point with the pivot. It is
extremely important to remember that the angular velocity, ω, in equation (6.6) must be
expressed as units of radians per time. The radian is a dimensionless unit of angular
measurement that can be omitted.
Consider two points A and B on a rigid link as shown in Fig. 1. Let the point B moves with
respect to A, with an angular velocity of ω rad/s and let α rad/s2 be the angular acceleration of
the link AB.
This radial component of acceleration acts perpendicular to the velocity vBA, In other words,
it acts parallel to the link AB.
We know that tangential component of the acceleration of B with respect to A,
This tangential component of acceleration acts parallel to the velocity vBA. In other words, it
acts perpendicular to the link AB.
In order to draw the acceleration diagram for a link AB, as shown in Fig. 1 (b), from any
point b’, draw vector b’x parallel to BA to represent the radial component of acceleration of
r
B with respect to A i.e. a BA and from point x draw vector xa’ perpendicular to B A to
t
represent the tangential component of acceleration of B with respect to A i.e. a BA . Join b’ a’.
The vector b’ a’ (known as acceleration image of the link AB) represents the total
r
acceleration of B with respect to A (i.e. aBA) and it is the vector sum of radial component a BA
t
and tangential component a BA of acceleration.
Problem-1 The crank of a slider crank mechanism rotates clockwise at a constant speed
of 300 r.p.m. The crank is 150 mm and the connecting rod is 600 mm long. Determine:
1. angular velocity and angular acceleration of the connecting rod, at a crank angle of
45° from inner dead centre position.
Given : NBO = 300 r.p.m. or ωBO = 2 π × 300/60 = 31.42 rad/s; OB = 150 mm = 0.15 m ; BA
= 600 mm = 0.6 m
We know that linear velocity of B with respect to O or velocity of B,
First of all draw the space diagram, to some suitable scale; as shown in Fig.1 (a). Now the
velocity diagram, as shown in Fig.1(b), is drawn as discussed below:
1. Draw vector ob perpendicular to BO, to some suitable scale, to represent the velocity of B
with respect to O or simply velocity of B i.e. vBO or vB, such that
Now the acceleration diagram, as shown in Fig. 8.4 (c) is drawn as discussed below:
1. Draw vector o' b' parallel to BO, to some suitable scale, to represent the radial component
r
of the acceleration of B with respect to O or simply acceleration of B i.e. a BO or aB, such that
Note: Since the crank OB rotates at a constant speed, therefore there will be no tangential
component of the acceleration of B with respect to O.
2. The acceleration of A with respect to B has the following two components:
r
(a) The radial component of the acceleration of A with respect to B i.e. a AB , and
(b) The tangential component of the acceleration of A with respect to B i.e. a tAB . These two
components are mutually perpendicular.
r
Therefore from point b', draw vector b' x parallel to AB to represent a AB =19.3 m/s2 and
from point x draw vector xa' perpendicular to vector b' x whose magnitude is yet unknown.
3. Now from o', draw vector o' a' parallel to the path of motion of A (which is along AO) to
represent the acceleration of A i.e. aA . The vectors xa' and o' a' intersect at a'. Join a' b'.
Angular velocity of the connecting rod
We know that angular velocity of the connecting rod AB,
First of all, draw the space diagram of a four bar chain, to some suitable scale, as shown in
Fig. 1(a). Now the velocity diagram as shown in Fig. 8.9 (b), is drawn as discussed below:
1. Since P and S are fixed points, therefore these points lie at one place in velocity diagram.
Draw vector pq perpendicular to PQ, to some suitable scale, to represent the velocity of Q
with respect to P or velocity of Q i.e. vQP or vQ such that vector pq = vQP = vQ = 0.625 m/s
respect to Q (i.e. vRQ) and from point s, draw vector sr perpendicular to SR to represent the
velocity of R with respect to S or velocity of R (i.e. vRS or vR). The vectors qr and sr intersect
at r. By measurement, we find that
Work sheet-2
1. In a pin jointed four bar mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1. Locate all the instantaneous
centres.
Fig.1
Fig.2
3. Fig. 3 shows a Whitworth quick return motion mechanism. The various dimensions in
the mechanism are as follows : OQ = 100 mm ; OA = 200 mm ; QC = 150 mm ; and
CD = 500 mm. The crank OA makes an angle of 60° with the vertical and rotates at
120 r.p.m. in the clockwise direction. Locate all the instantaneous
Fig3
Fig.4
5. In a four bar chain ABCD shown in Fig. 5, AD is fixed and is 150 mm long. The
crank AB is 40 mm long and rotates at 120 r.p.m. clockwise, while the link CD = 80
mm oscillates about D. BC and AD are of equal length. Locate all the instantaneous
centres.
Fig.5
Fig.6
7. The dimensions and configuration of the four bar mechanism, shown in Fig.7, are as
follows : P1A = 300 mm; P2B = 360 mm; AB = 360 mm, and P1P2 = 600 mm. The
angle AP1P2 = 60°. The crank P1A has an angular velocity of 10 rad/s and an angular
acceleration of 30 rad/s2, both clockwise. Determine the angular velocities and
angular accelerations of P2B, and AB.
Fig.7
8. Locate all the instantaneous centres of the slider crank mechanism as shown in Fig.3.
The lengths of crank OB and connecting rod AB are 100 mm and 400 mm
respectively.
Fig.4
10. Fig.5 shows PQRS is a four bar chain with link PS fixed. The lengths of the links are
PQ = 62.5 mm ; QR = 175 mm ; RS = 112.5 mm ; and PS = 200 mm. The crank PQ
rotates at 10 rad/s clockwise. Draw the velocity and acceleration diagram when angle
QPS = 60° and Q and R lie on the same side of PS. Find the angular velocity and
angular acceleration of links QR and RS.
Fig.5