Analysis of load distribution and contact stiffness of the single-nut ball screw based on the whole rolling elements model

This paper aims to investigate the load distribution and contact stiffness characteristics of the single-nut ball screw pair (SNBSP). First, the transformed relationship of coordinate systems is established. Then, the whole rolling elements load distribution model of the SNBSP is presented. Based on this, the whole rolling elements contact stiffness model is obtained. Applying the Newton-Raphson iterative method to solve the model, the normal force of rolling elements and the contact angles between balls and raceway surface are determined. The calculation results are reasonably consistent with those of the half pitch model. Then, the local contact stiffness and global contact stiffness are obtained. Furthermore, the effects of axial load and structural parameters of the SNBSP on the normal contact force, contact angle, and local and global contact stiffness are discussed using numeric analysis. Finally, a dynamic model of the z-axis feed system with time-varying axial stiffness is established, and the accuracy of the model is verified by experiments.