A Model and an Experimental Methodology to Validate Deep Groove Ball Bearing Load Distribution

Abstract Experimental ball bearing load distribution measurement is uncommon compared to its roller counterpart due to a variety of reasons. This paper presents a novel methodology to conduct experimental ball bearing load distribution measurement under radial loads. A brief literature review discusses the different types of experimental studies that directly or indirectly attempt to validate bearing load distribution models. First, a feasibility study highlights the possibility of measuring contact pressure, local to individual rolling elements, at the outer race-housing interface. A tactile pressure film that shows color spread and density proportional to the magnitude of applied pressure is used. The contact density is converted to contact pressure using a series of 1-D maps. Subsequently a conformal contact model is developed to model the pressure between the outer race and housing. The elastic displacements at the outer diameter of the outer race are computed to form a part of the initial separation, and the contact compliance is computed using Boussinesq contact theory. The contact problem is subsequently solved from the governing equation consisting of condition of compatibility and equilibrium equations. The contact pressure thus obtained can be directly compared with the measured contact pressure to validate any ball bearing load distribution model. A representative example simulation is presented before concluding the research.