Reliability optimization design of a planar multi-body system with two clearance joints based on reliability sensitivity analysis

Abstract

A general method for reliability sensitivity analysis and reliability optimization design of planar slider crank mechanism with two clearance joints was presented. A continuous contact force model considering energy dissipation was employed to estimate the contact force acting on the clearance joint. The Monte Carlo method was used to analyze the reliability sensitivity. In addition, based on the Kriging method, a surrogate model was constructed with consideration of explicit function expression. The precision and reliability of the presented method have been successfully demonstrated by numerical simulation. The results show that the number and position of clearance joint considered have a great influence on the maximum allowable displacement of the slider. The changing of the reliability sensitivity for the mean and variance of several random variables has certain regularity. Compared with the determinacy optimization design, the reliability optimization design presented here shows better dynamical performances.