Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Elastic Slider-Crank Mechanisms

Analytical and experimental dynamic bending stresses are determined for a slider-crank mechanism with a rigid crank and an elastic connecting rod. The mathematical model is derived by way of the lumped-parameter approach using d’Alembert’s principle and the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation. Viscous damping is included, and the resulting differential equations are solved numerically. Experimental data are obtained by means of strain gauge bridges mounted on the connecting rod. The effects on the elastic response of various parameters, including the crank speed, crank length, and slider offset, are examined. Comparison of the analytical and experimental results shows good agreement.