1. Introduction
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Velocity Analysis with Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider Mechanism (Inversion 1)
This presentation shows how to perform velocity analysis for a crank-slider mechanism (inversion 1) with the instant center method. It is assumed that the dimensions for the links are known and the analysis is being performed at a given (known) configuration. Since the crank-slider has one degree-of-freedom, the angular velocity of the crank (or one other velocity information) must be given as well.
For a given crank-slider mechanism the velocity analysis consists of two steps:
Finding the instant centers
Finding velocities B O2 ω2 A

2. Crank-slider mechanism
Crank-slider mechanism (inversion 1)
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Crank-slider mechanism
Assume that for this crank-slider mechanism all the link lengths are known and the angular velocity of the crank is given as ω2 ccw.
In the configuration shown we can perform a velocity analysis with the instant center method. B O2 ω2 A

3. Number of instant centers
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Number of instant centers
The first task is to determine how many instant centers exist for a crank-slider.
The number of links in a crank-slider is
n = 4
Between n links, there are
n (n − 1) ∕ 2
instant centers. That means in a fourbar there are 4 (4 − 1) ∕ 2 = 6 instant centers.
A small circle will help us keep track of locating each center. On the circumference of the circle we put as many marks as the number of links.
Each time we find a center between two links, we draw a line between the corresponding marks on the circle. B O2 A
(3)
(2)
(4)
(1) 1 2 ► 4 3

4. Finding the instant centers
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
I1,3
Finding the instant centers
Four of the centers are already known: They are the three pin joints and the sliding joint.
Note: The instant center between two bodies connected by a slider is located in infinity on any axis perpendicular to the axis of sliding.
We don’t know I1,3 but we know that it lies on the same line as I4,1 and I3,4.
I1,3 also lies on the same line as I1,2 and I2,3.
The point of intersection is I1,3.
I2,4 is also unknown but it lies on the same line as I3,4 and I2,3.
I2,4 also lies on the same line as I4,1 and I1,2.
The point of intersection is I2,4.
Now we have found all 6 centers. ►
I2,4
= I4,1
A = I2,3
(2)
(3)
B = I3,4
O2 = I1,2
(1) ►
(4) ► ► 1 2 ► ► 4 3 ►

5. A (or I2,3) is a point on link 2, therefore:
Finding ω3, knowing ω2
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Finding velocities
A (or I2,3) is a point on link 2, therefore:
VA = ω2 ∙ RAI1,2
Its direction is obtained by rotating RAI1,2 90° in the direction of ω2.
A (or I2,3) is also a point on link 3, which rotates around I1,3. This means:
VA = ω3 ∙ RAI1,3
Since we already know VA, we can solve for ω3:
ω3 = VA ∕ RAI1,3
I1,3
RAI1,3 VA ►
A = I2,3 ω2 ω3
I1,2
RAI1,2 ►

6. Since we have found ω3, we can now find VB. B is a point on link 3:
Finding VB, knowing ω3
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Finding velocities
Since we have found ω3, we can now find VB. B is a point on link 3:
VB = ω3 ∙ RBI1,3
Its direction is obtained by rotating RBI1,3 90° in the direction of ω3.
B is also a point on link 4. Therefore, the velocity of the slider block is the same as VB.
I1,3
RBI1,3 ► ω3 B ► VB

7. We could have determined VB without knowing ω3:
Finding VB, knowing ω2
Instant Centers for a Crank-Slider
Another approach
We could have determined VB without knowing ω3:
I2,4 is a point on link 2, therefore:
VI2,4 = ω2 ∙ RI2,4 I1,2
Its direction is obtained by rotating RI2,4 I1,2 90° in the direction of ω2.
I2,4 is also a point on link 4 which rotates around I4,1 located in infinity; i.e., link 4 does not rotate. This means any point on link 4 has the same velocity as VI2,4 .
= I4,1
VI2,4
I2,4
RI2,4 I1,2 B ω2 ►
I1,2 VB ►