How can I take into account gaps in joints (planar mechanism, multibody)?

Hello everyone, I need to take into account gaps in joints (planar mechanism, multibody). Can someone give an advice, how to do it? Thanks!

Answer 1

[Harsh]

Hi Alexandr,

"While "Simscape Multibody" does not have a dedicated block specifically designed to model a gap, you can use spring-damper systems to model the gap. For example, you can attach “Rotational Spring” and “Rotational Damper” in parallel to the “Revolute Joint” to model the gap. The “Rotational Damper” simulates energy loss in a gap whereas the “Rotational Spring” simulates the mechanical compliance of the gap.

Following are the documentation links for above mentioned blocks –

Rotational Spring – https://www.mathworks.com/help/simscape/ref/rotationalspring.html

Rotational Damper – https://www.mathworks.com/help/simscape/ref/rotationaldamper.html

Revolute Joint - https://www.mathworks.com/help/sm/ref/revolutejoint.html?s_tid=doc_ta