Simulation Apps Advance Tribology Research

摘要

A good example of how complex 21st century engineering simulation problems are is elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL). EHL describes the coupling between the deformations of two mating surfaces, such as in bearings and gears, and the hydrodynamics leading to the separation of both surfaces. If thermal effects are considered, the problem is referred to as thermal EHL (TEHL). The lubricant film thickness is usually in the order of microns or below, but sufficient to provide low friction and wear. Detailed understanding of the mechanisms of TEHL helps to improve the power density, efficiency, and noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) behavior of drive systems.The key is the design of the lubricated contacts of machine elements to treat the lubricant itself as a machine element. TEHL simulation contributes to athorough understanding of the lubricated contacts and reduces the number of prototypes. Multiphysics modeling and computer simulation of TEHL contacts is the best way to get to the heart of such a problem (Figure 1).