Degrees of Freedom and Constraints in Geared and Belted Mechanisms

Further application of the general form of the mobility equation in identifying geared, belted, and chained mechanisms correctly, and in determining degrees of freedom in these mechanisms is illustrated. It is shown that the pair (gear tooth pair—G_T) at the point of contact of two mating gears is a class 1 pair; a loop formed by gear members, in which the center distance does not vary, experiences over closure of order one; loops including a belt and pulley, or a chain and sprocket, have the same properties as those including a gear and rack. Several planar, spherical, and spatial geared and belted mechanisms and cam mechanisms are tested for their mobility.