A new numerical method for piston dynamics and lubrication analysis

A numerical model for piston dynamics and lubrication analysis is proposed by coupling the lubrication model of piston skirt–liner system and the dynamics model of multibody system consisting of crank, connecting rod and piston. The lubrication model is solved by the Finite Element Method, while the multibody dynamics equations are established with Lagrange multipliers and constraint Jacobian matrix. The validation of the method is verified through comparing with a well-known existing work. Apart from this, some design parameters of piston skirt were investigated so as to reveal their influence on the slap noise and lubrication performances of the piston. •A new numerical model for piston dynamic and lubrication characteristics analyses is proposed.•The average Reynolds equation is solved by the Finite Element Method.•The multibody dynamics equations of piston–rod–crank system are built.•Some piston skirt design parameters are investigated.