Abstract
During the previous work of the authors the experimental fundamentals of in-situ investigations of friction processes have been realised. As a result numerous high speed video shots are offered which represent the base for further analyses. Hence new goals can be defined such as the development of suitable methods for video analysis and their application regarding the created measuring data. In doing so it should be possible in the future to find more precise information about the performance and environmental behaviour of friction couples regarding the particle and patch behaviour. The consideration of comfort relevant issues will follow this. The presented method allows the analysis of the genesis of the friction layer what corresponds to the characterization of the patch dynamic. The base is represented by the single abrasives which are described more detailed in this paper. Since the particles which are released inside the friction zone and can be found there (moving or dwelling) spread in a wide range in terms of number and size a manual detection is not convenient. Hence a method for automated particle detection and tracking has to be developed. Therefore several and different information technology and image processing approaches are compared. Furthermore a comparison of filter concepts was executed. As a consequence a semi-automated analysis approach is presented which is able to detect and track within a video shot numerous particles of certain diameters. Subsequently the application of the presented method for the previously measured data takes place. Different lining materials considering various operating parameters are considered. As a result of these research activities conclusions regarding present possibilities and limits of particle analysis inside the friction zone can be stated. In addition the moving behaviour of the particles especially displacements, velocities and dwell times (at patches) was investigated. This allows conclusions of possible correlations between particle and friction behaviour (friction coefficient, temperature). Moreover it is expected to deliver a contribution for a better understanding of friction laws and friction models.
KEYWORDS – friction zone, particle analysis, patch dynamic, image processing, in-situ analysis