Nowadays, there is a demand for ICE (Internal Combustion Engines) with higher PCP (Peak Cylinder Pressure) in order to improve the engine performance and decrease the level of emissions. Due to this PCP increasing, the engine components must have higher structural strength.
This work aims to perform a structural investigation of an innovative and revolutionary non-straight bearing applied to the pin journal of a crankshaft for a mid-range application (called U-Shape bearing).
By using of structural optimization tools applied to this non-conventional bearing it was achieved substantial reduction of the stress concentration in the pin fillet and also substantial improvement in the crankshaft torsion stiffness, which results in a better dynamic performance regarding torsional vibration and potential for better NVH behavior.
Compared with the conventional straight bearing the so called U-Shape bearing for this specific mid-range diesel application achieved an increasing in bending and torsion resistance compatible with 2015 combustion pressure levels.
This mentioned non-straight bearing combined with structural optimization tools also enabled other initiatives such as crankshaft downsizing, mass reduction and consequently lower fuel consumption.