Influence of internal radial clearance on the ball bearing service life

Abstract

External load of ball bearing is transferred from one ring to other one through balls. In the radially loaded bearing all balls are not simultaneously active. Simultaneously active balls participating in load transfer are in loaded zone. Load distribution between balls in loaded zone is unequal. Width of loaded zone depends on bearing internal radial clearance. The loaded zone decreases with increasing clearance. Consequently, the load distribution between balls becomes more unequal. It leads to decreasing of ball bearing service life. The analysis of influence of internal radial clearance on the radially loaded deep groove ball bearing service life is carried out in this paper. For this purpose a new mathematical model is derived respecting classic ball bearing life theory and by introduction of a new parameter reduced load distribution factor.