Dynamic analysis of planar mechanical systems with clearance joints using a new nonlinear contact force model

We investigated the dynamic behavior of planar mechanical systems with clearance joints. First, the contact effect in clearance joint was studied using a new nonlinear contact force model, and the rationality of this model was verified by the results of numerical simulations, which are based on a journal and bearing contact model. Then, the dynamic characteristics of a planar slider-crank mechanism with clearance were analyzed based on the new nonlinear contact force model, and the friction effect of clearance joint was also considered using modified Coulomb friction model. Finally, the numerical results of the influence of clearance size on the acceleration of slider are presented, and compared with the published experimental results. The numerical and experimental results show that the new nonlinear contact force model presented in this paper is an effective method to predict the dynamic behavior of planar mechanical system with clearance joints, and appears to be suitable for a wide range of impact situations, especially with low coefficient of restitution.