Bearing Wear Characteristics of a Locomotive Motor under the Effect of Electromechanical Coupling

This paper investigates the dynamics and wear characteristics of bearings in a locomotive’s traction transmission system, emphasizing the electromechanical coupling effects. A comprehensive locomotive–track coupled dynamics model, integrating electrical and mechanical subsystems, is utilized to simulate the behavior under typical operational conditions without considering track irregularities. The study introduces a wear model based on Archard’s theory, applied to cylindrical roller bearings, which quantifies wear evolution via dynamic contact parameters and stress distributions. Simulations at 80 km/h reveal significant wear differences between models with and without electromechanical coupling, underscoring the impact of such coupling on bearing durability and locomotive performance. The findings illustrate that electromechanical interactions exacerbate wear, particularly on the driving end, and suggest that incorporating these factors can lead to more accurate predictions of bearing lifespan and maintenance scheduling.