R. Stefanelli

A Dual Number Approach to the Kinematic Analysis of Spatial Linkages With Dimensional and Geometric Tolerances

Design robustness is somewhat connected to tolerances. In fact, the lower is the sensitivity of the kinematic function to the deviations of manufacturing process, the higher is the robustness of the design. In this investigation is described a tolerance analysis method based on dual vectors kinematic modeling of spatial linkages and on Monte Carlo simulation of the random variables. In the present analysis the hypothesis of rigid bodies is valid and only kinematic variables are considered in output. The method is applied to a Cardan joint modelled as an RCCC linkage with main dimensions considered as stochastic variables with Gaussian distribution. Dual vectors are well known in kinematic analysis and synthesis of spatial mechanisms. When compared with traditional vectorial methods, dual vectors show an enhanced capability to model misalignments among kinematic pairs axes. Although this is not the first time that dual vectors are used for the kinematic and dynamic analysis of spatial mechanisms with manufacturing errors, the present use of dual vectors to model joint clearances seems somewhat novel.© 2004 ASME

Using a Virtual Dummy to Simulate Vibration Dose Value for Different Car Occupants

The comfort assessment for car occupants is not an easy task to achieve. It is a matter of personal perceiving, thus a solution which may seem comfortable to one could be not to another. Moreover it is a field which requires knowledge both from science and medicine. The vibrational comfort analysis is the topic of this paper. There are different international standards to define the vibrational comfort through computed indices. In particular the British Standard BS 6841 (1) introduces the Vibration Dose Value (VDV). The main idea which lies behind the VDV is to estimate the whole body vibration. In fact the standard suggests the main locations for acceleration measurement (feet, seat and back) and their direction axes. The overall number of acquisitions is twelve. A numerical code for the vibrational comfort analysis of car occupants, estimating the VDV for each of them, has been developed. The code, named DAViD, is based on a multibody approach (2). It has been validated by means of experimental tests (3,4). In this paper the influence of the anthropometric features (height and weight) and the inclination of the backrest on the VDV has been investigated. The code is an useful tool for predicting at the seat design level the vibrational discomfort.

MODELLING OF HYDRODYNAMIC JOURNAL BEARING IN SPATIAL MULTIBODY SYSTEMS

The model of a three dimensional journal bearing with hydrodynamic lubrication is herein presented. This model is suitable for embodiment into the equations of spatial multibody systems. Both rotational and squeeze effects together with tilting effect have been taken into account. Moreover a simplified model of friction has been also reported. The proposed methodology has been applied to an example concerning an unbalanced rotor supported by two journal bearings.

A DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF CAM ACTUATED ROBOTIZED GEARBOX

In this paper a simulation of the cam actuator of a robotized gearbox is presented. The actuator is a barrel cam which moves a pin according to a prescribed motion law. The model of contact, between cam and follower, is based on a finite elements approach of the theory of beam on continuous elastic foundation, modified by the authors to include the effect of shear on the deformation and dynamic effects. The foundation modulus is computed using Hertz theory taking also into account the change of principal curvature values during the relative motion between cam and follower. This model has been embodied in a complete gear shifting simulation in order to compare the effects on contact forces, wear actions and shifting time of different cam profiles.

Efficiency and wear in cam actuated robotized gearbox using virtual model

In this paper the efficiency and wear of the cam actuator of a robotized gearbox are investigated, focusing on contact dynamics. A penalty method is used to simulate contact between the cam and the follower. The model is based on a finite element approximation of the theory of beam on continuous elastic foundation. The foundation modulus is computed using Hertz theory taking into account the change of principal curvature during the relative motion between cam and follower. This model has been embodied in a complete gear shifting simulation in order to compare contact forces and wear of different cam profiles.