Synthesis of quasi-constant transmission ratio planar linkages

The present paper deals with the formulation of original closed-form algorithms for the kinematic synthesis of quasi-constant transmission ratio planar four-bar and slider-crank linkages. The algorithms are specific for both infinitesimal and finite displacements. In the first case, the approach is based on the use of kinematic loci, such as centrodes, inflection circle and cubic of stationary curvature, as well as Euler-Savary equation. In the second case, the design equations follow from the application of Chebyshev min-max optimality criterion. These algorithms are aimed to obtain, within a given range of motion, a quasi-constant transmission ratio between the driving and driven links. The numerical examples discussed allow a direct comparison of structural errors for mechanisms designed with different approaches such as infinitesimal Burmester theory and the Chebyshev optimality criterion.