A mean life evaluation method for complex multi-function systems based on GO method: Case study of vehicle transmission system

This paper proposes a mean life evaluation method for complex multi-function systems based on GO method. Taken the vehicle transmission system as case study, first, the GO method for evaluating mean life of complex multi-function systems is expounded in detail from aspects of presenting the reliability analysis for complex multi-function systems by GO method and formulating the evaluation process of the proposed method. Then, the Power Shift Steering Transmission (PSST) of a heavy vehicle is taken as an example, its mean life is evaluated by this paper's method. Finally, in order to illustrate the advantages and rationality of the proposed method, the evaluation results and operation efficiency are compared with those by Monte Carlo method. All in all, this study not only widens the application of GO method; but also provides a new mean life evaluation approach for complex multi-function systems.