A new method for the automatic sketching of planar kinematic chains

In the synthesis of kinematic chains, especially using computerized methods, the synthesis results are usually represented in the numerical form. Sketching the synthesis results as visual kinematic chains is helpful for the creative design of mechanisms. This paper proposes a new method for the automatic sketching of planar kinematic chains, by converting the corresponding topological graphs with the aid of line graph. The first objective is to completely eliminate extraneous edges in the line graph. To achieve this, the joints in the multiple link are sequenced and the multiple link is sketched as a closed polygon. The second objective is to correct defective multiple links in the kinematic chain. To achieve this, a new concept called the Inner Angle of joint is defined, based on which a new correction algorithm is proposed to eliminate the unnatural link crossing and concave angle in the defective multiple link. The present work is helpful for enhancing the efficiency of design of mechanisms.