A Configuration Synthesis Method of Mechanism Systems using Motion Marker Sequence and Planar Cells.

Mechanism synthesis problem is discussed with an example of configuration design of chain-type mechanisms. Mechanisms are system elements of various products which are composed of mechanical pairs. In the design process, the functional structure of mechanisms, i.e., sequential chains of pairs and the spatial configuration of them, i.e., arrangement and geometry are determined simulataneously. In this paper, we propose a method for simultaneously considering both issues for designing a certain level of practical mechanisms. The concepts of marker sequences and cell-based planar representation are introduced to manipulate a design through generating marker sequences, mapping between markers and cells, refining both of them, and embodying configuration and arrangement of mechanisms. Finally, an experimental computer system is applied to several design examples. This study leads the necessity of imaginary media for representing and computing the conceptual and configurational phases of design process.