A Full Numerical Solution to the Mixed Lubrication in Point Contacts

Abstract

A full numerical solution for the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) in point contacts is presented in this paper, using a new numerical approach that is simple and robust, capable of handling three-dimensional measured engineering rough surfaces moving at different rolling and sliding velocities. The equation system and the numerical procedure are unified for a full coverage of all the lubrication regions including the full film, mixed and boundary lubrication. In the hydrodynamically lubricated areas the Reynolds equation is used. In the asperity contact areas, where the film thickness is zero, the Reynolds equation is reduced to an expression equivalent to the mathematical description of dry contact problem. In order to save computing time, a multi-level integration method is used to calculate surface deformation. Sample cases under severe condition show that this approach is capable of analyzing different cases in a full range of λ ratio, from infinitely large down to nearly zero (less than 0.03). [S0742-4787(00)00101-6]