Abstract: With the multilevel method，complete numerical solutions of finite line contact thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) at heavy load are obtained. The EHL properties of cylindrical rollers with crown profiled ends are analyzed, and the effect of profiled geometry parameters and working conditions is discussed. The results show that the lubrication properties could be optimized which let the contacts adapt to the operating conditions if the rollers are properly crowned. At heavy load, considerable differences between the infinite and finite line contact EHL properties in the middle parts may hap-pen. Moreover, an “end oil close effect” is brought forward to explain the above phenomenon reasonably. It also shows that under certain operating conditions, the rollers temperature will decrease with the increase of velocity.

Key words: Edge effects, End oil close effect, Finite line contact, Heavy load, Rollers with crown profiled ends, Thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL), comprehensive performance, fluid resistance torsion moment, multiple wedge effects, petal-shaped capsule robot