Global sensitivity analysis of transmission accuracy for RV-type cycloid-pin drive

Global sensitivity analysis of transmission accuracy for RV-type pin-cycloid drive is studied by Sobol' method in comprehensive consideration of nonlinear factors and uncertainty factors (such as manufacturing errors, assembly errors, bearing clearances, etc.). The purpose is to study the effect of various errors on transmission accuracy, then find out main errors so as to regulate them, thus not only improve transmission accuracy, but also reduce manufacturing cost. The results show that the effect on transmission accuracy is larger of the runout error of eccentricity cam of crank shaft, the tooth groove error and accumulative pitch error of cycloid gear, the bearing clearance between cycloid gear and crank shaft, and the tooth groove error and accumulative pitch error of pin gear, large of the runout error of cycloid gear hole at crank shaft and the runout error of carrier hole at crank shaft, small of the assembly error of carrier, the bearing clearance between carrier and frame, etc. The presented method provides a basis for global sensitivity analysis of transmission accuracy for the RV-type pin-cycloid drive. It is also beneficial to global sensitivity analysis of transmission accuracy of other similar gear drives. The results of this study provide an important guideline for the design and manufacture of high accuracy and complex gear drive.