A Vibration Model of Ball Bearings with a Localized Defect Based on the Hertzian Contact Stress Distribution

To study the vibration mechanism of ball bearings with localized defects, a vibration model of a ball bearing based on the Hertzian contact stress distribution is proposed to predict the contact force and vibration response caused by a localized defect. The calculation of the ball‐raceway contact force when the ball passes over the defect is key to establishing a defect vibration model. Hertzian contact theory indicates that the contact area between the ball and the raceway is an elliptical contact surface; therefore, a new approach is used to calculate the ball‐raceway contact force in the defect area based on the stress distribution and the contact area. The relative motion between the inner ring, the outer ring, and the balls is considered in the proposed model, and the Runge‐Kutta algorithm is used to solve the vibration equations. In addition, vibration experiments of a bearing with an outer ring defect under different loads are performed. The numerical signals and experimental signals are compared in the time and frequency domains, and good correspondence between the numerical and experimental results is observed. Comparisons between the traditional model and the proposed model reveal that the proposed model provides more reasonable results.