Dynamic Analyses of Whitworth Quick Return Mechanism

Herein, we present a dynamic analysis on a Whitworth quick return mechanism, which was proposed as a class project to engage Mechanical Engineering students in the Machine Dynamics course. The objectives of the project are to teach (1) kinematic analysis on planar linkage mechanism using complex numbers and (2) kinetic analyses using distributed and lumped mass models. The analytical models were implemented using an engineering math software – Mathcad, and the results were validated by a multibody dynamics simulation software – Inventor. Loop closure equations were first built and solved to find link positions, and then velocities and accelerations were confirmed with numerical differentiation in Mathcad. Based on the solved kinematic quantities, a kinetic analysis was carried out using distributed and lumped mass models as well as in Inventor. The reactions and torques at the input link of the distributed mass model were found identical to those derived from Inventor. It was found the maximum reactions at pin joints were 11% to 100% different between the distributed mass model and the simplified lumped mass model. However, the shaking forces found in both models were nearly identical, and the peak values of the shaking moments were comparable. It is confirmed the lumped mass model can serve as a quick method to find the magnitude of the shaking forces and moments without solving simultaneous equation systems.