Spatial straight line mechanisms are a class of spatial mechanisms whose end-effectors generate the trajectory with the form of exact straight lines, which have potential applications in many industrial sectors. This study aims to synthesis the spatial straight line mechanisms with only revolute joints, meaning that no prismatic joints are included. According to the generalized function sets and the law of one dimensional rotation, the type of compositions of characteristic and the corresponding conditions are derived. Furthermore, some novel symmetrical and asymmetrical spatial straight line mechanisms are synthesized through assembling specific kinematic chains under the corresponding conditions. Finally, several synthesized spatial straight line mechanisms are illustrated to show the effectiveness of the synthesis methodology.
Spatial straight line mechanisms are a class of spatial mechanisms whose end-effectors generate the trajectory with the form of exact straight lines, which have potential applications in many industrial sectors. This study aims to synthesis the spatial straight line mechanisms with only revolute joints, meaning that no prismatic joints are included. According to the generalized function sets and the law of one dimensional rotation, the type of compositions of characteristic and the corresponding conditions are derived. Furthermore, some novel symmetrical and asymmetrical spatial straight line mechanisms are synthesized through assembling specific kinematic chains under the corresponding conditions. Finally, several synthesized spatial straight line mechanisms are illustrated to show the effectiveness of the synthesis methodology.