Design and Optimization of Slider and Crank Mechanism with Multibody Systems

The slider-crank mechanism is considered as one of the most used mechanism in the mechanical field. It is found in pumps, compressors, steam engines, feeders, crushers, punches and injectors. Furthermore, the slider-crank mechanism is central to diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines, which play an indispensable role in modern living. It mainly consists of crank shaft, slider block and connecting rod. It works on the principle of converting the rotational motion of crank shaft to the translational motion of slider block. Over the past two decades, extensive work has been conducted on the kinematic and dynamic effects of the slider and crank mechanism in multibody mechanical systems. In contrast, little work has been devoted to optimizing the performance of mechanical systems. The slider and crank mechanism simulation model is developed using the design software MSC. ADAMS. Different simulations are performed at different crank speeds to observe the response of the reaction forces at joint R2 (joint between crank shaft and connecting rod). An innovative design-of-experiment (DOE) -based method for optimizing the performance of a mechanical system for different ranges of design parameters is then proposed. Based on the simulation model results the design parameters are predicted by an artificial intelligence technique. This allows for predicting the influence of design parameter changes, in order to optimize joint reaction forces and power requirements of the slider and crank mechanisms