Dynamic analysis of mechanisms using constrained Lagrangian bond graphs

A method for dynamic analysis of mechanisms using the Lagrangian equations of motion for an interconnected system of rigid bodies is presented. The method stems from a recent extension to the bond graph modeling technique. Intrinsically, this approach allows the formulation of the final form of equations for holonomic systems without recourse to the Lagrangian function. Consequently, the burdens of deriving the expressions for kinetic and potential energies, and performing the necessary differentiations have been eliminated. This method calls only for constructing the Jacobian matrix of constraints, and then employing a bond graph that accounts for the generalized constraint reaction forces.