Watt's Linkage

The discovery of this linkage doubled the power of beam engines in Watt's day. Today, Watt's Linkage finds another use: in the rear suspension of many vehicles as an alternative to the Panhard rod in reducing relative sideways motion between the axle and the chassis.

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What do you notice about the motion?

Is it a straight line?

If not, how close does it coming to approximating a straight line?

App generated by Geometry Expressions