Dynamic Characteristic Analysis of Angular Contact Ball Bearings with Two-Piece Inner Rings in Aero-Engine Main Shafts Under Unsteady-State Conditions

The dynamic interactions among the internal components of aero-engine main shaft bearings under unsteady-state conditions are intricate, involving clearance collisions, contact, friction, and lubrication. The dynamic characteristics of bearings significantly influence the performance and stability of mechanical systems. This study establishes a rigid–flexible coupling dynamic model for angular contact ball bearings with two-piece inner rings based on Hertz contact theory and lubrication theory. It systematically analyzes the dynamic characteristics of bearings under the coupling effects of acceleration, deceleration, and impact load. This study explores the influence of various loads, bearing speeds, and groove curvature radius coefficients on the dynamic characteristics of bearings. The findings indicate that the uniform speed phase of a bearing is highly responsive to impact load, followed by the deceleration phase, while the acceleration phase shows lower sensitivity to impact load. The groove curvature radius coefficient significantly affects the contact stress between the ball and its corresponding raceway, with contact stress increasing as the groove curvature radius coefficient rises. As the axial load decreases and the radial load, bearing speed, and groove curvature radius coefficient increase, there is a rise in pocket force, guiding force, and maximum equivalent stress of the flexible cage. Impact load leads to short-term intense fluctuations in the thickness of the bearing oil film, which can be alleviated by an increase in axial load. The oil film thickness firstly increases and then decreases with respect to the groove curvature radius coefficient. Furthermore, variations in bearing speed notably influence the thickness of the bearing oil film. This study analyzes the dynamic characteristics of bearings under the coupling effects of acceleration, deceleration, and impact load, offering insights for the design and optimization of angular contact ball bearings with two-piece inner rings.