Application of Spatial and Fourier Transforms to the Synthesis of Motion Generation Mechanisms

Abstract

Abstract This work presents an approach for the invariant characterization, storage, and search of planar motion generation mechanisms. The motion of the planar mechanisms is defined by the trace point path and by the relative angle of the linkage to which the trace point is attached. Spatial transformations and Fourier descriptors are used to characterize the motion of planar mechanisms. The invariant characteristic information is then stored in a database. Solution comparison and matching techniques are discussed and implemented. A description of each method and the relative performance of file development and search methods are developed for four-bar mechanisms. Each method may be applied to any motion generation planar mechanism since the output motion is characterized and stored in a database for solution comparison. The specific type of mechanism that generates the motion is not necessarily required for identification of candidate solutions.