Project overview
In this guided lesson the main goal is to show the student the applications of the four-bar mechanism and involve them through the construction of a four-bar mechanism using simple materials.
Age group
This lesson is intended for 10 - 12-year-old students.
Duration
50 - 60 minutes
Vocabulary
- Mechanism
- Linkage
- Link
- Crank
- Rocker
- Inversion
- Grashof law
Goals
- Understand how the four-bar mechanism works and its usage.
- Understand the different types of four-bar mechanisms and the relationship between inversion and length of links.
- Create a four-bar mechanism using common materials.
Materials
- Thumbtacks.
- Icecream Sticks.
- Scissors.
- Ruler.
Resources
Lesson
Part 1 ( 25 minutes)
In this part of the lesson the students will learn about the four-bar mechanism, thy will learn the application of the crank-rocker mechanism in machines such as fans and wiper washers, additionally, they will understand the Grashof law and how to use it in order to make the linkages the right size for achieving the required movement.
Part 2 ( 30 minutes)
For this part of the lesson, the students have to use the Grashof law in order to choose the sizes of the linkages to make a crank-rocker mechanism, later they will measure, cut, assemble and decorate, their own mechanism in groups.
Part 3 ( 10 minutes)
Every team has to make a presentation of the mechanism in front of the class.