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Symmetric pre-dead-centre screen

Toggle linkage force

Inputs

Input force declared perpendicular to the symmetric toggle link line at the knee.
Positive pre-dead-centre angle of each link from the straight-line toggle position. The screen guards 0.5° and below.

Results

Ideal symmetric toggle mechanical advantage

5.715

Ideal axial toggle output force

2,000.3

Declared-angle tangent

0.087489

MA = 1/[2 tan(θ)] · Fout = Fin · MA

A first-pass number, not a code check, certification, or approval. Read the method and its limits below. What this is and is not.

Nearby: Trapezoidal motion · Reflected inertia · Pneumatic cylinder force · Clamp-force transfer

Method

Formula, when it applies, and when it does not

Calculate ideal mechanical advantage and axial output force for a symmetric, planar, two-link toggle from a knee input and pre-dead-centre angle.

MA = 1/[2 tan(θ)] · Fout = Fin · MA

When

  • Symmetric planar two-link geometry
  • Knee input perpendicular to link line
  • Ideal frictionless pins
  • Positive pre-dead-centre angle only

Don’t

  • This is an ideal, symmetric, planar, pre-dead-centre two-link toggle relation with a knee input perpendicular to the link line. It excludes link length and kinematics, frame/guide deflection, pin stress and clearance, friction, compliance, off-axis loading, stroke, actuation, over-centre travel, locking/self-locking, latch retention, material strength, fatigue, safety, and approval. It deliberately rejects the near-singular 0.5° and below range.

Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design — linkage force transmission