Mechanical performance analysis of thrust spherical plain bearings in universal hinged joint

LIU Xiaoming, WEI Tieping, YANG Xiaoxiang

(College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

Abstract: Aiming at the safety performance of thrust spherical plain bearings under multiple load,  finite element method(FEM) was applied to analyze the mechanical performance of thrust spherical plain bearing based on the structure and loading conditions of universal hinged joint used in a venue. The threedimensional model was meshed using ANSA. Finite element calculation model of universal hinged joint was built up and its stress distribution graph in two working conditions was calculated by interface between ANSA and ANSYS. The results indicate that the maximum stress of every component except cover plate under pressing and shear condition is larger than the tension shear condition. The place which the maximum VonMises stress occurred is the same in two working conditions. Maximum VonMises stress occurs at upper edge of the nether bearing outer ring which is probably the beginning of the crack. The analysis result is summarized and could be useful for design and improvement of thrust spherical plain bearing in universal hinged joint.

Key words: universal hinged joint; thrust spherical plain bearing; finite element method; mechanical performance analysis