Reliability models of belt drive systems under slipping failure mode

Abstract

Conventional reliability assessment and reliability-based optimal design of belt drive are based on the stress–strength interference model. However, the stress–strength interference model is essentially a static model, and the sensitivity analysis of belt drive reliability with respect to design parameters needs further investigations. In this article, time-dependent factors that contribute the dynamic characteristics of reliability are pointed out. Moreover, dynamic reliability models and failure rate models of belt drive systems under the failure mode of slipping are developed. Furthermore, dynamic sensitivity models of belt drive reliability based on the proposed dynamic reliability models are proposed. In addition, numerical examples are given to illustrate the proposed models and analyze the influences of design parameters on dynamic characteristics of reliability, failure rate, and sensitivity functions. The results show that the statistical properties of design parameters have different influences on reliability and failure rate of belt drive in cases of different values of design parameters and different operational durations.