Key Terms
Macro mechanism, assembled mechanism, assembly of mechanisms, and disjoint mechanisms are essential when handling macro mechanisms. You can refer to the following definitions to understand the specificities.
- Macro mechanism
- A mechanism that assembles other mechanisms. A macro mechanism is linked to the mechanisms referenced under it. Any change made to an assembled mechanism impacts the macro mechanism.
- Assembled mechanism
- A mechanism representation referenced in a macro mechanism.
- Assembly of mechanisms
- A collection of mechanisms referenced in a macro mechanism—also referred to as a multilevel mechanism.
- Disjoint mechanisms
- Mechanisms that do not include multiple joints involving the same two products are disjoint—also referred to as
independent mechanisms.
The following figure illustrates a typical example of disjoint mechanisms where Product node is marked P and Joints node J.
In the above product structure, M1 and M2 are two mechanisms including joints marked C.n. The products associated with the joints are marked P1, P2, etc. In this example, the products linked to the joints included in M1 are not linked to the joints included in M2 and vice versa. They are disjoint because C.1 and C.3 share only one product (P1).
The above figure provides a more detailed example.
- In the left configuration, the mechanisms (identified in green and in orange) are fully disjoint.
- In the right configuration, the same mechanisms are linked but disjoint.
- Dependent mechanisms
- Mechanisms are dependent if:
- they share a joint.
- they own a joint that involves the same products.
Recommendation: Incidents can occur when using dependent mechanisms in mechanism assemblies. For more information, see Diagnosing Incidents in Mechanism Assemblies.
In the above product structure, M1 and M2 are dependent because Connection.1 and Connection.5 involve the same products.
The above figure illustrates a typical example of dependent mechanisms. Both the orange and the green mechanisms include a joint that impacts the same two products, marked Prod A and Prod B.
- Cyclic mechanism assembly
- Assembles the same mechanism twice or contains a loop relationship within the assembly process.
