Study on the Film Thickness and Pressure of the Transient Line Contact Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

Abstract

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis shows that film thickness is very flat in the contact area and pressure distribution is somehow similar to that of Hertzian contact pressure except the outlet region with pressure spike. These typical patterns of EHL film thickness and pressure are the cases under the steady contact conditions of applied loads and speeds. However, many engineering contacts are rather under the conditions of varying loads and contact speeds, and therefore the predictions for endurance life and performance of machine elements with steady EHL analysis are not suitable in many occasions. This study shows the differences in film thickness formation and pressure distribution between steady and transient contact conditions in several contact cases.