ME: 304 Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines

A Report on the Design of

A Retractable Cloth Hanger Mechanism for Urban Households

By Swathy Verma N.C. Puneeth Pankazz Yadav

Department of Mechanical Engineering IIT Gandhinagar Position Synthesis

For comfortable usage, the mechanism must extend to a height of around 5.2 ft from the ground, as is the height of an average woman (it is taken as 160 cm). At 60 o the link lengths are found to be 61 cm. The mechanism should also have 2 intermediate positions so it is convenient to use when there are less number of clothes. Thus four positions have been identified for position synthesis: Closed Position: The mechanism is completely retracted in this case. The angle is taken as 10 o in this case. Position 1: The mechanism is locked in its first position by pulling it out and locking it at the first position. The angle at this position is 34 o Position 2: The mechanism can be locked at the next intermediate position by further pulling it out and locking it at the next position. The angle at this position is: 48 o Position 3: The mechanism is pulled out to the maximum allowed level, and the angle at this level is assumed to be 60o.

The height of the mechanism = (L/2) x sin x 6 Parameter/Position Angle with Base, Total Height of Mechanism
Difference between successive layers Closed Position Intermediate 1 Intermediate 2 Final Position

6 10 30 cm

34 102 cm Less Clothes, Compact

48 136 cm Medium Sized Clothes

600 158 cm Clothes after heavy washing

Remarks

Compact and stable

When the mechanism is locked in a position, it must become a static structure to bear the load of the clothes. This is seen from the linkage too Links: 6 Ternery Links + 1 Ground = 7 Joints = 9 full joints Hence from Kutzbachs Condition Mobility M = (7-1) x 3 2 x 9 = 0. While in motion, ( retraction):

The position of the bottom roller X= L cos

Dynamic Analysis: A large number of forces are generated in the system both while it is in use and when it is retracting. Some of the major considerations for doing the force analysis are: 1. Average weight of the wet clothes that are hung. The mechanism must be able to take this load in all positions. We have assumed this weight can be around 15 kg maximum. 2. The whole mechanism will experience a torque about its base when there is wind. Assuming average maximum wind is 20 km/hr and surface area of the clothes that are hung is around 6 m2. We can calculate the average force that can act on the mechanism and topple it. Then we can adjust the weight of the mechanism (by adding dead weight) so that it does not topple. 3. The maximum force (compressive or tensile) on the links has to be analyzed. 4. The spring constants on the pedal, the rollers and the retractable mechanism have to be estimated to reduce wear and tear and cushion impact damage while ensuring they do the job.

Position Analysis