1. Nov 4, 2008

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In the attached diagram, the displacement of a follower (y) changes as the angle of the cam changes ($$\vartheta$$). The follwer has a smooth velocity over the entire path. Therefore, the velocity must match on both sides of the four points noted on the graph.

If we assume all curves are parabolas, what would their equations be and what is the value of $$\vartheta_{1}$$

2. Relevant equations

I came up with :
y=a1x2
y'=2a1x

and

y=a2 (x+2$$\pi$$/3)2
y'=2a2(x-2$$\pi$$/3)

3. The attempt at a solution
Now I don't know where to go from here, how am I supposed to solve for theta? I have too many unknowns. I know y' is supposed to be the same throughout the graph so would setting the two y' equations equal accomplish anything?

2. Nov 4, 2008

### n00bhaus3r

I think I did a similar problem with a rollercoaster. Basically, 1 and 2 must intersect and 3 and 4 must intersect at their respective points. The value of their first derivatives must be the same because it must be continuous, and the value of their second derivatives must be the same for them to be "smooth." Hope that helps.

3. Nov 5, 2008

Yeah that's pretty much what I figured but I don't know what I'm supposed to do with all these unknowns... I really just don't know where to start.

4. Nov 5, 2008

### n00bhaus3r

Yes. It becomes a huge systems of equations (that are probably best solved by matrices).

5. Nov 5, 2008

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
I started a couple of times to respond to this, then stopped because it looked to complex. Once I sat down and wrote out what we know, it isn't that complex.

Since the first parabola has a horizontal tangent at (0,0), it can be written $y= a_1x^2$. We also know that at $x= \theta_1$, y= 3/4 so $a_1\theta_1^2= 3/4$.

The second parabola has a horizontal tangent at $(2\pi/3, 2)$ so it can be written as $y= a_2(x- 2\pi/3)+ 2$. At $x= \theta_1$, y is still 3/4 so $a_2(\theta- 2\pi/3)+ 2= 3/4$. Finally, the two derivatives must be equal at $\theta_1$: $2a_1\theta_1= 2a_2(\theta_1- 2\pi/3)$.

That gives 3 equations to solve for $a_1$, $a_2$ and $\theta_1$:
$a_1\theta_1^2= 3/4$
$a_2(\theta- 2\pi/3)+ 2= 3/4$
$2a_1\theta_1= 2a_2(\theta_1- 2\pi/3)$

A little thought about "symmetry" should show how to get the coefficents for the last two parabolas from those without having to solve any more equations.

6. Nov 5, 2008

Oh my goodness! If I could hug you over the internet I would :P Thank you so much! I can't believe I didn't realize how simply this could be broken down...i think I was just overthinking it.

7. Nov 6, 2008

$a_2(\theta- 2\pi/3)+ 2= 3/4$ the part in the parenthesis should be squared