Thermomechanical Coupling Analysis of Angular Contact Ball Bearing Considering Thermal Expansion and Residual Heat Effect

Abstract During the operation of bearings, thermomechanical coupling interaction inevitably occurs in the load zone, affecting their thermal and mechanical characteristics. Thermal expansion and residual heat are critical in this coupling analysis as they affect component deformation and temperature fields. To understand the thermomechanical coupling interaction, this study presents a novel thermomechanical coupling model for the angular contact ball bearing (ACBB) that incorporates thermal expansion and residual heat effects—specifically addressing thermal-expansion-induced deformation of the rolling elements and thermal interactions among them. First, a quasi-dynamic model considering both load and thermal expansion effects is established, in which the interaction among components is described using force and moment equilibrium equations to obtain mechanical and kinematic parameters. Next, a temperature field model was developed based on frictional power loss and frictional force, with a heat conduction model, to determine the temperature and thermal-expansion parameters. Finally, a bidirectional coupling iteration between the quasi-dynamic model and the temperature field model is implemented to dynamically update key parameters such as angular velocity, displacement, thermal expansion, temperature, and residual heat, thereby realizing a closed-loop thermomechanical solution. The model predicts temperatures to within 5% error and shows that, under heavy-load or high-speed conditions, thermal expansion markedly alters contact stress, contact angle, and oil film thickness. Residual heat accumulation elevates the temperature of both the inner and outer rings, with the effect being more pronounced in the inner ring. These findings provide a more reliable tool for evaluating ACBB's thermal performance and dynamic behavior.