Dynamic Investigations on the Wear Behavior of a 3D Revolute Joint Considering Time-Varying Contact Stiffness: Simulation and Experiment

The existence of the relative radial and axial movements of a revolute joint’s journal and bearing is widely known. The three-dimensional(3D) revolute joint model considers relative radial and axial clearances; therefore, the freedoms of motion and contact scenarios are more realistic than those of the two-dimensional model. This paper proposes a wear model that integrates the modeling of a 3D revolute clearance joint and the contact force and wear depth calculations. Time-varying contact stiffness is first considered in the contact force model. Also, a cycle-update wear depth calculation strategy is presented. A digital image correlation(DIC) non-contact measurement and a cylindricity test are conducted. The measurement results are compared with the numerical simulation, and the proposed model’s correctness and the wear depth calculation strategy are verified. The results show that the wear amount distribution on the bearing’s inner surface is uneven in the axial and radial directions due to the journal’s stochastic oscillations.The maximum wear depth locates where at the bearing’s edges the motion direction of the follower shifts. These findings help to seek the revolute joints’ wear-prone parts and enhance their durability and reliability through improved design.