Multi-ellipsoid contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance for deep groove ball bearing

Abstract The multi-ellipsoid contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication (MECEHL) model for the deep groove ball bearing considering the forces and moments applied on the rolling elements is established and solved with optimization method. In doing so, the Newton-Raphson method is used to calculate the contact load of rolling elements, and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) is employed to accelerate the calculation of the elastic deformation. The complex method and dichotomy one are proposed to obtain the revolution velocity and rotational angular velocity of all the rolling elements. Based on the validation of the elastohydrodynamic lubrication model, the MECEHL performances for the outer-inner rings are studied and compared at the varied radial load and clearance, inner ring's rotational speed, rolling element number and initial lubricant viscosity. Through the above comparison, some rules about the MECEHL of the bearing are obtained.