New concepts in friction reduction in preloaded assemblies of angular-contact ball bearings

Abstract

Abstract Angular contact ball bearings are able to simultaneously accommodate both radial and axial loads. The application filed of ball bearings ranges from the automotive industry, machine tools, machines and equipment for electricity generation to household appliances. This paper presents the current state of the research undertaken in the field of ball bearings friction reduction and summarizes the conditions needed to achieve this by making use of preloading. In order to test the influence of preloading on ball bearings friction, the authors of this paper are also presenting a new device that was designed for the testing of angular contact ball bearings.