Non-probabilistic time-dependent kinematic reliability assessment for function generation mechanisms with joint clearances

The analysis of the time-dependent kinematic reliability aims at measuring the possibility of satisfying the motion requirements for mechanisms over a specific time interval. Considering that the exact statistic characteristics of uncertain parameters such as the clearances and dimensions may not be available by virtue of the limited sample information in practical engineering, this paper investigates a new time-dependent reliability assessment method with insufficient uncertainty information. Firstly, to quantify the uncertainty effects of clearances and dimensions on kinematic performance, the clearances are assumed to be convex variables which confined within the clearance circle and the dimensions are regarded as interval variables. Furthermore, an integral procedure of non-probabilistic time-dependent reliability assessment by combination of the interval mathematics and the first-passage theory is proposed, and with the help of the regularization treatment, its solution strategy is mathematically conducted as well. By comparison with Monte-Carlo simulation method, two engineering examples are eventually presented to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the developed method. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.