An accelerated life test model for harmonic drives under a segmental stress history and its parameter optimization

• Published in: Chinese journal of aeronautics 2015-12, Vol.28 (6), p.1758-1765
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chao, Wang, Shaoping, Wang, Zimeng, Wang, Xingjian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerated life testing; Cumulative fatigue damage law; Genetic algorithm; Harmonic drive; Segmental stress history; 分段; 加速寿命试验; 参数优化; 应力历史; 空间系统; 试验模型; 谐波传动; 谐波齿轮传动
• ISSN: 1000-9361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cja.2015.07.003

Harmonic drives have various distinctive advantages and are widely used in space drive mechanisms. Accelerated life test （ALT） is commonly conducted to shorten test time and reduce associated costs. An appropriate ALT modet is needed to predict the lifetime of harmonic drives with ALT data. However, harmonic drives which are used in space usually work under a segmental stress history, and traditional ALT models can hardly be used in this situation. This paper proposes a dedicated ALT model for harmonic drives applied in space systems. A comprehensive ALT model is established and genetic algorithm （GA） is adopted to obtain optimal parameters in the model using the Manson fatigue damage rule to describe the fatigue failure process and a cumulative dam- age method to calculate and accumulate the damage caused by each segment in the stress history. An ALT of harmonic drives was carried out and experimental results show that this model is acceptable and effective.