A novel transition model for lubricated revolute joints in planar multibody systems

The dynamic behavior and the life of machineries are greatly affected by lubricated clearance joints, which are inevitable in mechanical systems, whereas investigations on lubricated clearance joints are very limited due to the difficulty in coupling lubrication theory with dynamics. By analyzing the transition status and considering the hydrodynamic lubrication, elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication, and partial lubrication and contact a novel transition model for the lubricated clearance joint is proposed to tackle with the transition between the lubrication statuses and the contact status. With the novel transition model, we performed numerical dynamic simulations based on a slider crank mechanism with a lubricated clearance joint. Using the novel transition model and the existed transition model (Flores model) in numerical simulations, we obtained and compared dynamic results, which demonstrate that the novel transition model is more accurate, efficient, and feasible than the Flores model.