Reliability Design Of Mechanical Systems Such Subjected To Repetitive Stresses

The basic reliability concepts - parametric ALT plan, failure mechanism and design, accelerationfactor, and sample size equation were used in the development of a parametric acceleratedlife testing method to assess the reliability quantitative test specifications (RQ) of mechanical systemssubjected to repetitive stresses. To calculate the acceleration factor of the mechanical system, a generalizedlife-stress failure model with a new effort concept was derived and recommended. The new sample size equationwith the acceleration factor also enabled the parametric ALT to quickly evaluate the expected lifetime. This new parametricALT should help an engineer uncover the design parameters affecting reliability during the design process of the mechanicalsystem. Consequently, it should help companies improve product reliability and avoid recalls due to the productfailures in the field. As the improper design parameters in the design phase are experimentally identified by this new reliabilitydesign method, the mechanical system should improve in reliability as measuredby the increase in lifetime, LB, and the reduction in failure rate,As a test case, two cases were studied: 1) failed reciprocating compressors of French-door refrigerators returned from the field and 2) the redesign of hinge kit system (HKS) in a refrigerator. After a tailored of parametric accelerated life testing, the mechanical systems such as compressor and hinge kit system (HKS) with corrective action plans were expected to achieve the lifetime target – B1 life 10 years.