Multi-objective optimal design of cycloid speed reducer based on genetic algorithm

The design of cycloid speed reducer has to satisfy various constraints, e.g. the geometrical, the kinematical and the mechanical, while delivering excellent performance, high efficiency, long life, great load capacity, etc. This invokes the need of an optimal design methodology to achieve these objectives collectively. Taking K-H-V cycloid speed reducers as the research subject, an optimization methodology based on genetic algorithm is presented. The goal of the optimization is to simultaneously minimize volume and maximize efficiency. The volume and the efficiency of the reducer are simultaneously taken as objective functions. The design variables including the short width coefficient, the diameter of the pin, the width of the cycloid gear, etc. are defined. The constraint conditions are established for multi-optimizations. In order to elaborate the proposed optimization methodology, the XW3-type cycloid speed reducer is chosen and utilized as an example for optimization. A comparison study on the single optimization is also carried out in this work. The research results are satisfactory and can help designers to employ for minimum material and cost by fulfilling high efficiency and other performance requirements.