DRY-TO-FLUID FRICTION "CONVERSION" IN SPHERICAL HINGES

The dynamic phenomenon of dry friction in the contact region of a spherical hinge becoming virtually fluid is considered. It is found that the mechanism of the effect is based on the interaction of relative sliding and spinning of the contacting surfaces of a hinge. A nondimensional similarity parameter characterizing the interaction is determined. Approximate analytical relations for the components are derived for an arbitrary mutual orientation of the compressive force vector and the hinge relative angular velocity vector taking the dependence of the dry friction coefficient on the contact pressure into account.