Load distribution and friction torque in four-point contact slewing bearings considering manufacturing errors and ring flexibility

Abstract

This work introduces a methodology for the calculation of the load distribution in four-point contact slewing bearings considering ball preload, manufacturing errors and ring flexibility. The model is built by the formulation and minimization of the potential energy of the bearing. Comparing with the rigid rings assumption, the results show that ring deformations involve lower interferences in idling conditions, and have a great effect in the load distribution, but not under external loads. Additionally, a new approach has been proposed for the calculation of the friction torque, which has lower computational cost in comparison to a previous approach by the authors, so more accurate results can be obtained due to refined calculations with no significant cost increase.