A Design Method for Reducing the Effects of Clearances at Revolute Joints

A method for designing a mechanism which is free of contact loss in clearance connections is developed. Only revolute joints are considered as possible clearance joints. Earles and Wu's empirical formula has been used for defining a perfect joint or contact loss free joint. A general theory for conditions of a perfect joint has been derived in terms of the mechanical energy and the kinematic properties of the joint. This general theory was applied to a slider crank mechanism and it was shown that designing a perfect joint is theoretically possible through balancing by a non-linear spring. Further it was shown that this technique gives a practical guide for balancing a mechanism with linear springs to reduce the possibility of contact loss in clearance joints.