Solution-region-based synthesis approach for selecting optimal four-bar linkages with the Ball-Burmester point

In this paper, we present a solution-region-based synthesis approach for selecting optimal four-bar linkages with a Ball-Burmester point. We discuss both general and special cases of the Burmester point that coincide with the Ball point at the pole of the inflection circle. Given the coordinates of one fixed joint, any point on the target's straight line, and the direction of this straight line, we can synthesize an infinite number of mechanisms using a coupler curve with five-point contacts with its tangent by adopting the proposed approach. Each initial parameter corresponds to three side links that can generate three four-bar mechanisms. We generate different mechanism property charts by developing mechanism software that enables users to intuitively identify relevant linkage information and select the optimal linkage This novel approach is a visualized analytical method for synthesizing and selecting optimal four-bar linkages with one Ball-Burmester point on its coupler curve.