Experimental and simulation research on the friction and wear properties of surface textured friction pairs in CST

In order to realize the reliable soft starting and intelligent running of heavy duty scraper conveyors, the Controlled Start Transmission (CST) equipment is introduced to provide a feasible way to realize the soft starting, overload protection, and multi-driver power balance of scraper conveyors. The Hydro-viscous Drive Unit (HDU), which consists of multiple sets of friction pairs, is the core component of CST. The wear resistance and reliability of friction pairs are the decisive factors for the performance. The experimental models, with non-smooth surface as well as smooth surface having regular pit distribution, were established based on the typical sample size of the friction tester. The stress and wear resistant performance of the models with different non-smooth morphology parameters were studied through LS-DYNA analysis and wear tests. The results indicate that the wear resistant performance of biomimetic non-smooth samples is better than that of smooth ones; the pits can improve the contact stress distribution in the contact area of friction pairs, and the Von Mises stresses of biomimetic non-smooth samples are less than those of smooth samples; the wear resistant performance is the best when the pit distance equals 1 mm and the pit diameter equals 0.8 mm. This study would provide a basis for the future optimal design of the HDU of CST.