Edge contact effect on thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication of finite contact lines

Minimum lubricant film thickness and maximum pressure every so often appear close to roller ends. This study combines the Boussinesq–Cerruti half-space equations with a free boundary correction procedure for precise modeling of edge contact conditions. The thermal EHL model developed associates this representation to a standard finite difference of the energy equation, and to a modified finite difference expansion of the Couette term of the Reynolds equation. To complete the model, the Carreau expression describes the shear-thinning response of the lubricant. The investigation includes different roller profile corrections. The results show that a large radius crowning modification combined with a rounding of the corners constitutes the most effective profile adjustment.