EFFECTS OF CONSIDERING THE EXISTENCE OF CLEARANCE AT REVOLUTE JOINTS ON THE RESPONSE OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

The main objective of this work is to present a general methodology for modelling and analysis of planar mechanical systems with clearance revolute joints. When a clearance exists in a revolute joint, impacts between journal and bearing elements can take place, resulting in shocks, vibrations, wear and, consequently, the degradation of system performance. The present study is developed under the framework of multibody systems and the geometric and dynamics conditions will be established to treat the clearance joints. Numerical results for a four bar mechanism with a revolute joints between coupler and follower are analyzed. In addition, a comparison between the obtained results for ideal and clearance joints are compared. The numerical results show that the existence of dry joint clearances causes high peaks on the kinematic and dynamic system's characteristics due to the intrajoint contact forces developed.