Piston skirt friction loss and dynamic analyses based on FEM method

Purpose The analysis carried out in this study can provide guidance for manufacturers and researchers to design a piston for the development of engines. Design/methodology/approach Running conditions for pistons have become very severe because of the high combustion pressure and increase in piston temperature in the past 10 years. The precision of the model has a great effect on the power transmission, vibration noise emission. In this paper, the model was established with lubrication and dynamic governing equations, which were solved using finite element method coupled with Runge–Kutta method. A piston of an inline six-cylinder engine was studied, and some structural parameters were used to investigate its effect on the friction loss with lubrication and dynamic motion theory. Findings Based on the analyses, the effect of the friction load at the oil groove and thermal deformation of piston skirt were added to the model, and some useful information about the friction loss and dynamic characteristics were compared. Originality/value All the results will provide guidance for the development of the piston and reduction in the friction loss and wear.