EMBEDDED LINEAR-MOTION DEVELOPABLE MECHANISMS ON CYLINDRICAL DEVELOPABLE SURFACES

This work introduces methods of developing embedded straight-line and linear-motion mechanisms on right circular cylinders. Developable surfaces, particularly right circular cylinders, are the manufactured embodiment of many products. Functional linkages are traditionally not geometrically constrained to a body and often dictate the final shape of the housing they reside in. This work explores the idea of mapping straight-line and linear-motion mechanisms onto cylinders for practical design purposes. Potential applications of embedded cylindrical developable mechanism capable of deployment and generation of linear motion would be useful are discussed. A design guideline is provided outlining the utility of using various linkages to complement a particular engineering design criteria.