Thermal-mechanical fully coupled analysis of high-speed angular contact ball bearings

Abstract

The thermal and mechanical properties of angular contact ball bearings are critical to their operating accuracy and service life. On the basis of the theory of dynamics and frictional heat generation, this work establishes a thermal-mechanical fully coupled model. The high-speed motion characteristics, temperature, and dynamic stiffness are analyzed, and the simulation results are compared with the theoretical calculation and experimental results. Then, the temperature and axial deformation of the bearings under different rotation speeds are analyzed, and the laws of mechanical and thermal characteristics of the bearings are obtained. Results show that an increase in the rotation speed of the inner ring causes the temperature of each component to increase, with the contact area of the balls showing the greatest increase in temperature. An increase in rotation speed also increases the axial deformation of the inner ring.