Fuzzy set based multi-objective optimization for eight-rod mechanism via sensitivity analysis

The wheel loader multi-rod mechanism working device, which can be considered as a rigid multibody system, is a crucialcomponent for shoveling and loading material. The six-rod and eight-rod mechanisms are two popular working devicesused in construction, mining and agriculture. However, the design of the eight-rod mechanism device has not receivedmuch more attention due to its emerging applications. In this paper, a fuzzy set based multi-objective optimization proce-dure for an eight-rod mechanism device is presented by taking advantage of design sensitivities. The sensitivity analysis iscarried out to extract the several most relevant design variables so as to simplify the optimization problem.Furthermore, the fuzzy set theory is introduced to express each objective in terms of membership function, thus differ-ent objectives can be measured in the same dimension. As a result, the multi-objective optimization problem is con-verted into a single objective through the combined membership function. Finally, an eight-rod mechanism workingdevice of a wheel loader is analyzed and optimized by using the proposed method. The results show that the optimaleight-rod mechanism can provide a better kinematic performance.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11702039, 51708062) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (No. 106112017CDJXY330002).Peer reviewe