Department of Mechanical Engineering

MECH 417: Kinematics Design of Machinery

Term Project: Tip-up garage door

1st term 2021/2022

Part 1. Door linkage synthesis

Section: 51

Submitted to

Course Instructor: Dr. Farag K. Omar

Task Max. Group Related Related

Required Task
No. grade grade CLO PLO
1 Linkage graphical synthesis 4 2 2
2 Linkage software simulation 4 2 2
3 Results 2 2 2

Constraint violation -50%

Total 10

Total out of 7.5

Objectives
To design four bar linkage bus luggage door mechanism using graphical linkage synthesis
and verify the design on Linkage software.

Introduction
A flexible mechanism consisting largely of four planner connectors linked to four revolute
joints is a four-bar linkage. It is extensively utilized for movement transmission or
mechanical benefit in machines. Its reduced friction, better load-carrying capacity, simplicity
of production and dependability make it preferred over alternative mechanisms for some
applications, notwithstanding manufactured tolerances.

In this report, bus luggage door will be designed as 4-bar linkage mechanism, and 1 degree of
freedom mechanism using Linkage software.
1.1 Linkage graphical synthesis

The followings are evidence of the graphical linkage synthesis on paper with the tools used.

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows the first step of graphical synthesis analysis, although I made an error not
drawing the arcs between the line linking the points of the door link, I drew the door link
positions and then link the points and took the mid points and connect them the above
drawing shows the position of the first ground hinge. Tool used: pencil, ruler.
 Figure 2

In figure 2, another door link was drawn in different angle, I connected the points of the door
link and examine where the first ground hinge will be, so I drew the arcs corresponding to
two thirds of the lines and a dashed line extended in the middle of the arcs intersection.
Unfortunately this door length gave me an intersection not in the permissible area.
Tool used: pencil, ruler, compass pencil.
 Figure 3

In figure 3, I changed the length of the door link, repeating the steps of figure 2, I figured the
hinge position in the area permissible. This will be the first hinge place that control point B1
in the door link.
Tool used: pencil, ruler, compass pencil.
 Figure 4

In the figure above (fig 4), I repeated the steps of figure 2 to find the second hinge related to
point A of the door link. The lines are drawn in different colors to recognize the links from
the sketch lines. The final positions of links and hinges are known in this stage.
Tool used: colored pens, ruler.
 Figure 5

Finally, in figure 5, the points of the door link and the hinged coordinates were calculated by
the ruler, and then I converted them to scale due to the error in the paper scale of the cross
section image of the bus.
Tool used: pencil, ruler, calculator.
1.2 Linkage simulation
1.2.1 Linear actuator hinge locations

The figure below (fig 6) shows the initial position of the linear actuator. This location has
been chosen to shift the door upward from closed position to fully open position.

Figure 6: the coordinate of the actuator hinge

1.2.2 Implementation using the Linage software

Figure 7: Linkage software screen simulation showing the mechanism and the door corner
paths
 Figure 8: The final coordinates of the joints (adjustment from what found in part 1.1)

The lengths of the linkes:

• L1 (between O1 and O2) = 34.537mm
• L2 = 86.481mm
• L3 = 30.661mm
• L4 (between O2 and B1) = 69.899mm

Conclusion
In conclusion, there has been some errors in the coordinates location due human inaccuracy
in measuring length, scale conversion and rounding the numbers. This leads to a bit change in
the coordinates of the hinges from the graphical synthesis. The objective of this project has
been met, although there is a very short gap from the permissible range for the door fully
open position and the lower edges of the door that should be reconsidered. Finally, I learned
to design the four bar linkages and use the Linkage software.

References
• Linkage software
• Natesan, Arun K., "Kinematic analysis and synthesis of four-bar mechanisms for
straight line coupler curves" (1994). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology.
Accessed from
https://scholarworks.rit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5662&context=theses