A function generator mechanism links its motion output and motion input with a desired functional relationship. The probability of realizing such functional relationship is the kinematic reliability. The time-dependent kinematic reliability is desired because it provides the reliability over the time interval where the functional relationship is defined. But the methodologies of time-dependent reliability are currently lacking for function generator mechanisms. We propose a mean value first-passage method for time-dependent reliability analysis. With the assumption of normality for random dimension variables with small variances, the motion error becomes a nonstationary Gaussian process. We at first derive analytical equations for upcrossing and downcrossing rates and then develop a numerical procedure that integrates the two rates to obtain the kinematic reliability. A four-bar function generator is used as an example. The proposed method is accurate and efficient for normally distributed dimension variables with small variances.
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e-mail: zhang_junfu@126.com
e-mail: dux@mst.edu
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March 2011
Research Papers
Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis for Function Generator Mechanisms
Junfu Zhang,
Junfu Zhang
Associate Professor
School of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: zhang_junfu@126.com
Xihua University
, Chengdu, P.R. China 610039
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Xiaoping Du
Xiaoping Du
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: dux@mst.edu
Missouri University of Science and Technology
, Rolla, MO 65409
Search for other works by this author on:
Junfu Zhang
Associate Professor
School of Mechanical Engineering,
Xihua University
, Chengdu, P.R. China 610039e-mail: zhang_junfu@126.com
Xiaoping Du
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Missouri University of Science and Technology
, Rolla, MO 65409e-mail: dux@mst.edu
J. Mech. Des. Mar 2011, 133(3): 031005 (9 pages)
Published Online: March 1, 2011
Article history
Received:
August 3, 2010
Revised:
January 13, 2011
Online:
March 1, 2011
Published:
March 1, 2011
Citation
Zhang, J., and Du, X. (March 1, 2011). "Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis for Function Generator Mechanisms." ASME. J. Mech. Des. March 2011; 133(3): 031005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4003539
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