An improved stiffness model for line contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication and its application in gear pairs

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose an simple and efficient stiffness model for line contact under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) and to investigate the gear meshing stiffness by the proposed model. Design/methodology/approach The method combines the surface contact stiffness and film stiffness as EHL contact stiffness. The EHL contact stiffness can be calculated by the external load and displacement of the load action point. The displacement is the sum of deformation of the film and contact surface and is equal to the distance of the mutual approach of two contact bodies. Findings The conclusion is drawn that the contact stiffness calculated by the proposed model is smaller than that by the minimum film model and larger than that by the mean film model. It is also concluded that the gear meshing stiffness under EHL is slightly smaller than that under dry contact. Originality/value The EHL contact stiffness can be obtained by the increment of external load and mutual approach directly. The calculation of oil film stiffness and surface contact stiffness separately is avoided. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2019-0465