Research on the stiffness characteristics and contact status of matched angular contact ball bearings considering the effect of varying spatial position of rolling ball

In engineering practice, bearings used as support components are usually installed in pairs in various rotating machines. The mechanical and contact characteristics of bearings play a crucial role in determining the operational accuracy, safety performance and stability of equipment. Numerous studies focused on single bearings have been reported form diffident aspects for enhancing service performance. However, the literature reports on the matched bearings are scarce due to the mutual coupling of rolling elements and the extremely complex stress conditions. Especially the stiffness fluctuation and internal contact status affected by the ball position are difficult to be observed and tested experimentally because of the complex and compact structure, which significantly impacts the safe and reliable operation of rotating machines. To overcome the above shortcomings, this paper investigates the effect of ball position on the stiffness characteristics and contact status of matched angular contact ball bearings based on the coordinate matrix transformation approach and Jones’ statics model. Then, the stiffness results of published literature are used as a benchmark to validate the accuracy of solution method of this paper. Finally, 7206B bearings with different installing forms are used as a numerical example to reveal the effect of ball position on the stiffness characteristics and contact status of matched angular contact ball bearings under different working conditions. The study provides a scientific guidance to investigate the mechanical characteristics and contact mechanism of multi-bearing system.