研究業績

With the increasing demand for energy efficiency in recent years, further reduction of bearing torque has become a critical objective in bearing design. Reducing lubricant viscosity is one widely used method to lower bearing torque. However, l ow viscosity oils are more prone to evaporation due to their high vapor pressure. Increased evaporation reduces the amount of lubricant inside the bearing and forms the thinner oil lubricating film , which can lead to increased wear and reduced bearing life. Understandi ng the mechanisms of lubricant evaporation from an inside bearing is essential for the development of reliable, long life, low torque bearings. In this study, an evaporation model considering a sealed ball bearing geometry is presented. The model is based on the diffusion of liquid vapor within the bearing and aims to clarify how specific geometric features influence the rate of evaporation.