Structural synthesis of ancient Chinese foot-operated slanting loom

Abstract

This study synthesizes the structures of the foot-operated slanting loom, which was depicted confusedly in many ancient Chinese literatures. Based on the analysis of mechanism, the structural characteristics and design constraints of the mechanism with uncertain members and joints are concluded. Then, according to the concepts of generalization and specialization subject to the concluded design constraints, all feasible structures of mechanism that met the technological standards of the subject's time period are reconstructed. This reconstruction process provides a logical foundation to better understanding, clarification, and suggestions for the issue of the ancient mechanical drawings with uncertain members and joints.