A combined experimental and analytical method to determine the EHL friction force distribution between rollers and outer raceway in a cylindrical roller bearing

Friction force is a crucial factor causing power loss and fatigue spalling of rolling element bearings.A combined experimental and analytical method is proposed to quantitatively determine the elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)friction force distribution between rollers and outer raceway in a cylindrical roller bearing(CRB).An experimental system with the instrumented bearing and housing was developed for measuring radial load distribution and friction torque of bearings.A simplified model of friction force expressed by dimensionless speed,load,and material parameters was given.An inequality constrained optimization problem was established and solved by using an experimental data-driven learning algorithm for determining the uncertain parameters in the model.The effect of speed,load,and lubricant property on friction force and friction coefficient was discussed.