New Five-Bar and Six-Bar Linkages in Three Dimensions

Abstract

Abstract The author outlines the historical background for the study of linkages, both in a plane and of the three-dimensional type. The latter have not received very much attention, although some investigations of special types of space linkages have been reported. The present paper is confined to a discussion of two types of five-bar linkages and four types of six-bar linkages. While it is little known by the engineering field, the Bennett linkage is a useful and economic mechanism. An explanation of this linkage, its mathematical derivation, and combinations of its elements are discussed at some length. Among the possible applications of space linkages, the most obvious is the conversion of oscillating or rotational motion in one plane to motion in another plane. The Bennett linkage is the simplest for this purpose. Other uses of various types of linkages are mentioned.