As EV motors become smaller and faster, a need has emerged for design technologies that prevent seizure from causing oil starvation. Therefore, we focus on friction and wear phenomena (tribology) that occur in moving machine parts at the nanoscale order, by our testing technologies, analyses, and material explorations intended to elucidate these phenomena and optimize parts design. As an example, we have constructed a new testing technology that can observes oil flows and measure oil film thicknesses inside ball bearings under high-speed rotating conditions. This technology enabled by using bearing for observation equipped transparent outer ring, lubricating oil containing fluorescent agents and high-speed flashlight for excitation~{*1}. In addition, we are researching based on a universal methodology by using CAE calculations that can simulate contact surface conditions on actual sliding machine and are constructing new contact models based on statistical theory for applying this methodology in practice as part of model-based design.
*1: Jointly developed with JTEKT CORPORATION
Visualization of lubrication condition in high-speed ball bearings