In this contribution a complementarity formulation for the solution of EHL problem in presence of cavitation is employed in order to investigate the tribological behavior of the conrod small-end of a high performance motorbike engine. The influence of different physical and geometrical parameters is discussed. In particular, the clearance between the conrod smallend and the piston pin, the lubricant physical properties, the surface roughness and the stiffness of the piston pin are investigated, thus providing preliminary guidelines for the correct design of the coupling. Due to the negligible influence of the transversal forces acting on the conrod small-end and of the relative sliding speed between the mating surfaces, a two symmetrical model of the assembly is prepared and results are compared with those obtained adopting a simply symmetrical model.
INTRODUCTIONDuring the last decades, the internal combustion engine performance has constantly increased. At the same time, there has been a growing emphasis on the analysis of the aspects related to the efficiency, to the reliability and to the cost of manufacturing of modern engines. To satisfy the above targets, a constant improvement and optimization of the design process of engines components is therefore necessary. In particular, engine bearings represent one of the main responsible of friction losses and their lubrication performance has a crucial influence on the operating condition of an engine.
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