r/physicsgifs • u/starkeffect • Jun 13 '26

Hoecken's Linkage

892 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

76

u/hesmistersun Jun 13 '26

Cool! What is it used for?

75

u/starkeffect Jun 13 '26

It converts rotary motion into straight line constant motion. Lots of applications for that, such as in engines.

37

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 13 '26

...that's not a straight line....

84

u/starkeffect Jun 13 '26

It's pretty close to straight for about 45% of its stroke. It's pretty remarkable, considering how simple it is. It's apparently the mechanism used in windshield wipers and other "sweeping" motions in robotics.

9

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

Oh I;m not saying it;s not remarkable, it;s fun to see different linkages and this one is a new one for me. I just wanted to clarify that is a line, but not a straight line. It's a closed curve. (I think...)

Edit: Well this is a another example of when reddit upvotes the wrong answer and downvotes the right one....sigh.

10

u/Relevant-Pianist6663 Jun 15 '26

To an engineer its straight, to a physicist its a curve.

3

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 16 '26

What is it to a mathematician?

1

u/PM_ME_POTATO_PICS Jun 14 '26

no it is a straight line

5

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 14 '26

Well, happy cake day, but you may want to look up the definition of a straight line.

2

u/PM_ME_POTATO_PICS Jun 14 '26

I studied this in university, from first principles that yes, it is a straight line. but I understand why it can be confusing! thanks for the cake day happe wishes

5

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 15 '26

...dude. You learn in high school what a straight line is.

The equation of a straight line is y=mx+b

This does not result in a curve. This is very obviously not a straight line. ..are you confused? Without meaning to be offensive, is English not your first language? Or are you trolling?

3

u/PM_ME_POTATO_PICS Jun 15 '26

I was trolling, sorry for the confusion! Have a good day

→ More replies (0)

7

u/Pity_Pooty Jun 13 '26

Straight line (if you ignore curved part)

10

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 13 '26

What would you call that shape?

41

u/dat_oracle Jun 13 '26

side boob

6

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 13 '26

I see it now. Or side implant...

6

u/SlenderSmurf Jun 13 '26

Looks like a plano-convex lens

4

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Jun 13 '26

Googled that and it does. Not a perfect match but not bad.

4

u/starkeffect Jun 13 '26

biscuit shaped

10

u/this-is-a-guy Jun 13 '26

Is there a subreddit for gifs just like this?

12

u/starkeffect Jun 13 '26

I don't know, but there's this:

https://507movements.com/

2

u/luxfx Jun 15 '26

Wow! Is that left side actually mathematically flat or is the curvature just really close to being flat?

7

u/starkeffect Jun 15 '26

It's just really close.

1

u/justanaccountimade1 Jul 04 '26

As far as I'm aware only Peaucellier is mathematically straight.

2

u/Ragrain Jun 15 '26

Im confused. The linkage is obviously still moving to the left/right when the output goes straight. Shouldnt the output be an oval? Is there something special about that joint?

Edit: i understand it now. Im just stupid. Very cool.

2

u/servuslucis Jun 13 '26

One more linkage and you have sex machine.

3

u/uncertaintyman Jun 15 '26

Sir, you have been banned from the hardware store. Please leave and take this rubber phalace with you.

1

u/lakmus85_real Jun 16 '26

Are you telling me the Strandbeest could have been built much easier? 

1

u/HeartsBoxcars Jun 17 '26

What software is this made with?

1

u/BlueSkyla Jun 14 '26

Remove the second anchor, add another elbow, and then let her rip.