Purpose
This study aims to accurately evaluate the influence of various error intervals on the performance of the wiper.
Design/methodology/approach
The wiper structural system is decomposed into classical four-link planar for kinematics analysis, and it was modeled respectively by using interval method, universal grey number theory and enumeration approach depending on the nature of uncertainty.
Findings
The universal grey number theory is a viable methodology for the accurate analysis of uncertain structural system.
Originality/value
(1) The model of uncertain wiper structural system is established. (2) Universal grey number theory and new parameters are adopted to analyze the presence of uncertain wiper structural system. (3) Comparative analysis of response quantities is obtained by interval method, universal grey number theory and enumeration method.
There are various uncertain factors in most practical engineering applications, such as input loads, structural sizes, manufacturing tolerance, and initial and boundary conditions. The interval method and grey number theory are common methods to deal with uncertainty. In this article, the interval truncation method and grey number theory are improved. And a mixed method is proposed to represent the confidence interval of output result based on the improved interval truncation method and improved grey number theory. The proposed methods’ feasibility is verified by a stepped bar; the methods are applied to the analysis of aircraft landing gear safety uncertainty.