Advanced Elastohydrodynamic Analysis of Journal Bearings in IC Engines With a Multi-Body System Approach

This paper presents a rigorous analysis of the elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication of journal bearings in internal combustion (IC) engines. The approach treats a set of radial slider (plain journal) bearings as a system or a subsystem. Thus, they can be simulated simultaneously, and hence the system effect is included. The analysis considers both the elasticity and dynamics of the connected parts such as the cylinder block (or main bearing walls), crankshaft and conrod. Both local vibration and global motion of these elastic parts are modelled by a multi-body system (MBS) approach. Hence, the EHD behaviour of engine bearings is simulated in a realistic manner.