Hensley Arrow: How does it REALLY work?
There have been several discussions on this hitch that have become somewhat 'controversial'. I am NOT trying to stir this controversy/bashing back up. Instead, I'd like to see a good, intelligent di...
Forum Discussion
I've updated my model to show the dimensions Ron pointed out from the patent. I've also added points that represent many of the instantaneous center projections of the two side links as they go through their hinge angle sweep.
There are many ways that engineers use 4-bar linkages (http://designcenter.ucsd.edu/resources/subject.asp?subid=13 - go about 1/2 way down the page), but most of them won't remind you a whole lot of a Hensley. I did find one use that was quite interesting to me - the mechanism used in prosthetic knees. In an abstract titled, "The Influence of Four-Bar Linkage Knees on Prosthetic Swing-Phase Floor Clearance" on the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists website, there is a figure that shows a path of projected instantaneous centers much like we've discussed here.
There are many ways that engineers use 4-bar linkages (http://designcenter.ucsd.edu/resources/subject.asp?subid=13 - go about 1/2 way down the page), but most of them won't remind you a whole lot of a Hensley. I did find one use that was quite interesting to me - the mechanism used in prosthetic knees. In an abstract titled, "The Influence of Four-Bar Linkage Knees on Prosthetic Swing-Phase Floor Clearance" on the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists website, there is a figure that shows a path of projected instantaneous centers much like we've discussed here.
