Abstract
In this paper, a novel control strategy based on an adaptive Self-Recurrent Wavelet Neural Network (SRWNN) and a sliding mode controller/observer for a slider crank mechanism is proposed. The aim is to reduce the tracking error of the linear displacement of this mechanism while following a specified trajectory. The controller design consists of two parts. The first one is a sliding mode control strategy and the second part is an SRWNN controller. This controller is trained offline first, and then the SRWNN weights are updated online by the adaptive control law. Apart from the hybrid control strategy proposed in this paper, a velocity observer is implemented to replace the use of velocity sensors. The outcomes obtained in the numerical experiment section prove that the smallest tracking error is obtained for the linear and angular displacements in comparison with other strategies found in literature due to the uncertainty and disturbance rejection properties of the sliding mode and the self-recurrent wavelet neural network controllers.