Dynamics and friction of a rolling bearing crankshaft – method and calculation

Abstract

So far, the application of rolling bearings in combustion engines for light vehicles was restricted by higher costs, application effort, acoustics and the high maturity level of plain bearings. Driven by legislation and the customer request for higher efficiency, e.g. the application of combustion engines in hybrid systems, the advantages of rolling bearings against plain bearings come back into focus. Rolling bearings have advantages at numerous stop-start conditions because of their lower friction. The load out of the timing drive at the first main bearing at low speed is dominating the friction power loss of the crankshaft in the driving cycles. In addition, combustion engines nowadays are driven at low engine speed with high constant torque. At these conditions, high load at low speed, rolling bearings have the potential to minimize the friction loss and lower the wear risk.