A novel optimization-based method to find multiple solutions for path synthesis of planar four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms

Abstract

The classical method to find possible solutions for path synthesis problem of planar mechanisms is continuation method. However, this method has some disadvantages such as producing unwanted extraneous and degenerate solutions and also producing mechanisms having defects. Moreover, many of the solutions are cognate of each other which can be obtained geometrically. Thus, finding the most feasible solution among all solutions is a cumbersome and time-consuming task. The main purpose of this paper is to explore applicability of heuristic algorithms to find multiple cognate- and defect-free solutions for path synthesis problems of planar four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms. To this aim, a new modified error function and an optimization-based algorithm is presented. The gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is utilized to minimize the modified error function. Efficiency of the method is proved through five case studies for path synthesis of four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms with and without prescribed timing.