Skip to main content

Crank-Connecting Rod Mechanism: Its Applications in Ancient China and Its Origin

  • Conference paper
International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms
  • 2886 Accesses

Abstract

Crank-connecting rod is the most fundamental and typical mechanism, classifying as one of the most important inventions in ancient China and in the history of mechanical technology. This paper firstly describes the three applications of this mechanism in ancient China, i.e. agriculture, textile, and blowing-engines. This paper then discusses the origin of the mechanism through reviewing ancient Chinese literature and unearthed cultural relics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, pp. 111–112.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chen WH (1994) Illustrations of Chinese Agricultural Archaeology (in Chinese), Jiangxi Science & Technology Press, 370–371. 《中国农业考古图录》;文华撰,江西科学技术出版社, 1994年,第 370–371页。

    Google Scholar 

  3. Needham J (2000) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 6, Biology and Biological Technology, Part 5, Fermentations and Food Science, Cambridge University Press, p. 465.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Zheng W (1965) Zhakou Panche Tujuan, Cultural Relics (in Chinese), Vol.2, p. 25. 郑为,“闸口盘车图卷”,文物,北京, 1965年第 2期,第 25页。

    Google Scholar 

  5. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, Illustration of Fig. 409.

    Google Scholar 

  6. 《后汉书》卷三一《杜诗传》;范晔 [南朝]撰。译文引自 Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 370.

    Google Scholar 

  7. 《三国志·魏书》卷二四《韩暨传》;寿 [晋朝]撰。译文引自 Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 370.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, pp. 374–376.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Usher AP (1988) A History of Mechanical Inventions, Dover Publications, Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 111.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 119.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, PLATE CLVI.

    Google Scholar 

  13. 河南省博物馆,“济源泗涧沟三座汉墓的发掘”,文物,北京, 1973年第 2期,第 50 页

    Google Scholar 

  14. 余扶危、贺官保,“洛阳东关东汉殉人墓”,文物,北京, 1973年第 2期, 第54页。

    Google Scholar 

  15. 《中国力学史》;戴念祖撰,湖北教育出版社, 1988年,第 281页。

    Google Scholar 

  16. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 759.

    Google Scholar 

  17. 《机器。自然力和科学的应用》(中译本);马克思撰,人民出版社, 北京, 1978年,第 67页。

    Google Scholar 

  18. Needham J (1965) Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2, Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge University Press, p. 118.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Lisheng, F., Qingjun, T. (2009). Crank-Connecting Rod Mechanism: Its Applications in Ancient China and Its Origin. In: Yan, HS., Ceccarelli, M. (eds) International Symposium on History of Machines and Mechanisms. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9485-9_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9485-9_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9484-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9485-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics