Contact Analysis for the Critical Shoulder Height in Angular Contact Ball Bearing

Abstract

A method to determine the shoulder height in an angular contact ball bearing using a 3D contact analysis is proposed. The load analysis was performed by calculating the distributions of internal loads and contact angles for each rolling element. From the results of the bearing load analysis and the contact geometry between the ball and raceways, 3D contact analyses using an influence function were conducted. The algorithm developed was applied to an angular contact ball bearing for an automotive wheel. The effects of axial load on contact pressure at the inner and outer raceways were evaluated and the critical axial loads in the present shoulder height were calculated. The critical shoulder heights were also determined when the bearing was subjected to a practical load for a steel ball bearing. The proposed methodology is generally applicable for the purpose of reducing the material cost and improving the efficiency of the bearing design process.

KEY WORDS:

• Angular Contact Ball Bearing
• Shoulder Height
• Contact Analysis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work is the result of a study by the Human Resource Development Center for Economic Region Leading Industry project, supported by the MEST and the NRF of Korea.