Dynamics Modeling and Analysis of Rolling Bearings Variable Stiffness System with Local Faults

By analyzing the support of load-carrying rolling elements when the rolling elements fall into the fault position, the dynamics model of a rolling bearing variable stiffness system with local faults is proposed, considering the retention factor of the contact deformation. Then, this paper researches the change of effective contact stiffness, contact deformation, contact force, and the total effective stiffness of the rolling elements. The results show that the contact stiffness of the rolling elements abruptly decreases when the rolling elements fall into the fault position. The contact deformation and contact force of the load-carrying rolling elements in the load zone increase, rebalancing the external radial load while causing a sudden reduction in the total effective stiffness, resulting in the vibration of the system. When different rolling elements fall into the outer ring fault position, the change in total effective stiffness and the system response are equal in magnitude. Additionally, there is a significant outer race fault characteristic frequency accompanied by frequency multiplication in the fault characteristic spectrums. When different rolling elements fall into the inner race fault position, the total effective stiffness is modulated by the inner race rotation and varies dramatically, resulting in the amplitude of the system time domain vibration response also being modulated by the inner race rotation and varying dramatically. Additionally, there is a significant inner race rotational frequency accompanied by frequency multiplication, an inner race fault characteristic frequency accompanied by frequency multiplication, and a side frequency in the fault characteristic spectrums. The research can provide some reference for the effective diagnosis of the rolling bearing fault.