Dynamic response analysis for rolling bearing vibration measuring point

In order to pick up fault features effectively, it is necessary to select a reasonable sensor position in vibration measurement of a defected rolling bearing, it is one of the main study goals in the field of predictive maintenance. Due to the complicated structure of a rolling bearing, the numerical simulation method was utilized for its dynamic response analysis. Based on a FEM model of 6307 rolling bearing, its kinetic feature and stress distribution of each part were obtained. As a result, the impulse functions induced by different local defects were gained, they were then exerted on the assembled model including a bearing chock as excitations. Considering the nonlinear contact characteristic simultaneously, the vibration response on each node of the whole structure was obtained. The difference between the response waveform of the node on the chock surface and the bearing vibration signal measured in tests was discussed thoroughly when the defect was located on different bearing parts. Furthermore, the vibration signal of the rolling bearing with the seeded fault was picked up to validate the simulation results. Under the condition that the FE model is reliable, the transmission process of the vibration response in each part was discussed, the emphasis was focused on its propagation and attenuation characteristics when the vibration wave passed the interface of the outer race and bearing chock. Based on the above theoretical results, the optimal sensor position and measuring direction were determined through comparing the response feature of different surface nodes.