Mechanisms in Ancient Chinese Books with Illustrations (History of Mechanism and Machine Science Book 23)

This book presents a unique approach for studying mechanisms and machines with drawings that were depicted unclearly in ancient Chinese books. The historical, cultural and technical backgrounds of the mechanisms are explained, and various mechanisms described and illustrated in ancient books are introduced. By utilizing the idea for the conceptual design of modern mechanisms, all feasible designs of ancient mechanisms with uncertain members and joints that meet the technical standards of the subjects’ time periods are synthesized systematically. Ancient Chinese crossbows (the original crossbow and repeating crossbows), textile mechanisms (silk-reeling mechanism, spinning mechanisms, and looms), and many other artisan's tool mechanisms are used as illustrated examples. Such an approach provides a logical method for the reconstruction designs of ancient mechanisms with uncertain structures. It also provides an innovative direction for researchers to further identify the original structures of mechanisms and machines with drawings in ancient literature. This book can be used as a textbook and/or supplemental reading material for courses related to history of ancient (Chinese) machinery and creative mechanism design for senior and graduate students. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-7 Mechanisms with Illustrations in Ancient Books....Pages 9-32 Mechanisms and Machines....Pages 33-59 Ancient Chinese Machinery....Pages 61-89 Reconstruction Design Methodology....Pages 91-108 Roller Devices....Pages 109-135 Linkage Mechanisms....Pages 137-167 Gear and Cam Mechanisms....Pages 169-189 Flexible Connecting Mechanisms....Pages 191-217 Crossbows....Pages 219-242 Complex Textile Devices....Pages 243-298 Back Matter....Pages 299-302