Kinematics of beam flexure four-bar linkages with applications in a compound bow

This thesis is a study in the application of kinematics coupled with elastic body mechanics. Most studies in kinematics assume all mechanism links to be inelastic. Furthermore, the methods of kinematic synthesis have generally been developed to meet requirements of displacement, velocity and acceleration. The work presented in this thesis differs in two important aspects. First, one grounded link of a four-bar linkage is replaced by a cantilevered beam in flexure to produce a force generating mechanism. Second, the synthesis method presented here allows the generation of these mechanisms in closed form for prescribed force generation. A compound archery bow that incorporates four-bar linkages has been developed as an example. This design relies on the non-linear mechanical advantage of the four-bar linkage and the bow mechanics to provide a resistance curve that is more compatible with the human strength curve. In addition, by modifying the bow kinematics, more potential energy can be stored, and thus potentially more kinetic energy can be transferred to the arrow than with previous bows.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• Palmer, Matthew

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Reinholtz, Charles F.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Mitchiner, Reginald G.
• Tidwell, Paul H.

• kinematics
• four-bar linkages
• synthesis
• archery
• compound bows
• bows
• beams

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-11012008-063505

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/45410