Balancing of slider-crank mechanisms

Abstract

In this Chapter, the balancing methods of slider-crank mechanisms are presented. In Sect. 5.1, the generalized Lanchester balancer is proposed. It allows the balancing of primary and secondary shaking forces of off-set slider-crank mechanisms. Section 5.2 deals with the solution of the problem of the shaking force and shaking moment balancing of slider-crank mechanisms based on the properties of the Watt gear-slider mechanism. In the examined system, the output gear mounted on the frame meshes with a second identical gear attached to the connecting rod of the slidercrank mechanism. The output gear thus rotates at approximately twice the speed of the input crank and has the same angular acceleration as the connecting rod. These properties are used for the generation of the movements of counterweights intended for balancing. Such a solution allows significant minimization of the shaking force and shaking moment of the mechanism. It also provides the conditions for balancing with only a small increase of the input torque. The efficiency of the suggested method is illustrated by a numerical example. The Sect. 5.3 presents a solution for improving the balancing of double slidercrank mechanical systems. In these systems the shaking force balancing is achieved by two identical slider-crank mechanisms, which execute similar but opposite movements. Section 5.4 disclose with the simultaneous inertia force/moment balancing and torque compensation of slider-crank mechanisms by using a cam/spring auxiliary mechanism. At the end of the Chapter (Sect. 5.5), the shaking force and shaking moment balancing of slider-crank mechanisms via optimal generation of the input crank rotation is disclosed.