Sequential time-dependent reliability analysis for the lower extremity exoskeleton under uncertainty

This paper proposes a sequential time-dependent reliability analysis method by considering time sequence and. correlation of failure processes for the lower extremity exoskeleton under uncertainty, which will provide an approach to improving the comfort and safety for the wearer. A kernel density function based uncertainty quantification method is provided for precisely quantitatively estimating the time-dependent reliability of joints and the position of the end-effector firstly. After decoupling time sequence and failures correlation due to error propagation, the original reliability problem is then transferred to a series time-dependent reliability model. The time-dependent system reliability analysis is finally realized by calculating conditional probability. A case study is implemented to testify the effectiveness of the proposed method. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.