Abstract
Clearance is inevitable in the kinematic joints of mechanisms. In this paper the dynamic behavior of a crank-slider mechanism with clearance in its tripod-ball sliding joint is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The mathematical model of this new-type joint is established, and the new concepts of basal system and active system are put forward. Based on the mode-change criterion established in this paper, the consistent equations of motion in full-scale are derived by using Kane method. The experimental rig was set up to measure the effects of the clearance on the dynamic response. Corresponding experimental studies verify the theoretical results satisfactorily. In addition, due to the nonlinear elements in the improved mathematical model of the joint with clearance, the chaotic responses are found in numerical simulation.
