Optimization of a cam mechanism - to give good transmissibility, maximal output angle of swing and minimal acceleration

Abstract

There are bounds to the usefulness of the simple three-piece cam mechanism, in particular, bounds to its ability to produce a wide swing of the follower arm. By coupling a four-bar linkage in tandem, it becomes possible for this output angle to be even greater than 180°, depending on the goodness of the transmission angle that is wanted and on how small the maximum acceleration must be.