Use of modern tribology approaches for correcting the behaviour of adaptive biomechanical friction units

Purpose: Functioning of mechanical system friction units is characterized by the ability of their self-adaptation under the influence of external loads. Referring to this phenomenon it becomes possible to provide the necessary correction of the work of friction units being parts of artificial and natural tribosystems. Design/methodology/approach: As an approach used to solve the above problem, an expansion of the function describing friction unit parameters in a given basis with further refinement of the solution in accordance with the functional optimization is proposed. Findings: The received ratios allow solving the problem of adaptive control of friction units functioning when they are incorporated into the biomechanical systems. Practical implications: Using approaches developed in the present work, a pattern for the gradual adjustment of instep supports for the restoration of normal weight distribution in the human foot is presented. Originality/value: Novel approaches to the methodology of solving the problem in regard of managing the load condition of biomechanical tribosystems by their commanded control over time are offered.