Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves

Zhang, Jingwei; Zhou, Enwen; Wang, Yibo; Lv, Qiyin; Zhang, Yuan

doi:10.3390/machines14040419

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Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves

by

Jingwei Zhang

^1,2,3,

Enwen Zhou

^1,2,3,

Yibo Wang

¹,

Qiyin Lv

² and

Yuan Zhang

^2,*

¹

Railway Locomotive and Rolling Stock Faculty, Jilin Tiedao University, Jilin 132299, China

²

Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China

³

Goertek Inc. Postdoctoral Research Station, Goertek Co., Ltd., Weifang 261031, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Machines 2026, 14(4), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040419

Submission received: 6 March 2026 / Revised: 4 April 2026 / Accepted: 7 April 2026 / Published: 9 April 2026

(This article belongs to the Topic Nonlinear Phenomena, Chaos, Control and Applications to Engineering and Science and Experimental Aspects of Complex Systems, 2nd Edition)

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Abstract

To investigate the non-smooth behaviour of cage-less ball bearings with localised functional grooves, this article first designs temperature-varying comparative experiments and rolling element discrete performance test protocols. Subsequently, it analyses the principles of heat generation, transmission, and exchange within ball bearings, establishing a mathematical model for bearing thermal displacement using a dynamic model. This is followed by an analysis of rolling element discrete conditions. Finally, based on experimental results, a comparative analysis of ball bearing temperature variations under combined multi-variable loading conditions is conducted. By altering radial load, axial load, and rotational speed to measure bearing friction torque under different operating conditions, the suitability of bearing operating conditions is analysed, evaluated, and optimised.

Keywords: cage-less ball bearings; localized functional groove; non-smooth behavior; experimental study

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, J.; Zhou, E.; Wang, Y.; Lv, Q.; Zhang, Y. Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves. Machines 2026, 14, 419. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040419

AMA Style

Zhang J, Zhou E, Wang Y, Lv Q, Zhang Y. Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves. Machines. 2026; 14(4):419. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040419

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Jingwei, Enwen Zhou, Yibo Wang, Qiyin Lv, and Yuan Zhang. 2026. "Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves" Machines 14, no. 4: 419. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040419

APA Style

Zhang, J., Zhou, E., Wang, Y., Lv, Q., & Zhang, Y. (2026). Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves. Machines, 14(4), 419. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040419

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Experimental Study on the Non-Smooth Behavior of Cage-Less Ball Bearings with Localized Functional Grooves

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