Adjustable slider–crank linkages for multiple path generation

Adjustable slider–crank linkages are capable of generating multiple paths with a simple adjustment of the position of the slider guider. Little work has been done in the area of synthesis of adjustable four-bar linkages for continuous path generation, especially of adjustable slider–crank linkages. The path flexibility of adjustable slider–crank linkages is analyzed. The optimal synthesis model is set up based on the position structural error of the slider guider introduced in this paper, which can effectively reflect the overall difference between the desired and the generated paths, avoid the difficulty of selecting corresponding comparison points on the two paths, and can be calculated conveniently. A genetic algorithm is employed to seek the global optimal solution. The results of an optimal synthesis example verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.