Thermoelastic analysis of friction pairs in hydro-viscous drive combined thermal and mechanical loads under soft startup condition

Abstract

Thermo-mechanical characteristics significantly impact the operating performance of the friction pairs in hydro-viscous drive. A three-dimensional transient thermo-mechanical coupling model was established for investigation of the distributions and coupling relationships of the temperature, stress, and displacement generated by the combination of the thermal and mechanical loads under soft startup condition. Then, the time-dependent contact pressure and velocity were extensively examined, as well as their effects on the thermo-mechanical coupling characteristics. Finally, the effects of the material and structural parameters were analyzed by the one-factor-at-a-time method. The observations confirmed plastic deformation of the steel disc will occur when the steel disc and friction disc are, respectively, restrained at the outer and inner diameters. However, there is a low likelihood of plastic deformation of the friction lining occurring. The thermal load and constraint locations were also found to crucially affect the stress and displacement distributions. Moreover, the circumferential stress was determined to be the most important stress component, and can thus be used as a basis for judging whether plastic deformation will occur. The results provide theoretical reference for predicting the thermal characteristics of the friction pairs, as well as a foundation for selecting the material and structural parameters.