Dynamic stability of four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms with elastic coupler

Abstract

The dynamic stability of the elastic coupler of otherwise rigid four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms is studied. The linearized partial differential equation of motion is derived, and reduced to a set of coupled Hill's equations by using Galerkin's method. Floquet theory is then applied to obtain the stability boundaries. Stability charts are presented for samples of slider-crank and four-bar mechanisms.