Finite Element Modeling of Contact Mobility in Airtight Bearing

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the mobility of the airtight bearing in spacesuit,and thus to optimize the geometry of the spacesuit bearing.Methods The factors influencing the mobility were analyzed based on the finite element method.The effects of contact fillet radius,bearing fit,assembly perforce and pressure load on the contact sealing and mobility were evaluated.The finite element model was validated by the mobility test of the sample bearing.Results The whole stress distribution was derived,and the geometry parameters of minimum mobility torque satisfying the sealing requirements were also derived by the simulation analysis.The changes of mobility torque with pressure load calculated by the finite element model were consistent with the tested results.Conclusion The finite element model of the airtight bearing established in this paper is proved correctly and has good applicability,which can be applied to the theoretical analysis of other bearing structures.