Optimal Design of Tapered Roller Bearings Based on Multi⁃Physics Objectives Using Evolutionary Algorithms

Rolling element bearing is the most common machine element in rotating machinery.An extended life is among the foremost imperative standards in the optimal design of rolling element bearings,which confide on the fatigue failure,wear,and thermal conditions of bearings.To fill the gap,in the current work,all three objectives of a tapered roller bearing have been innovatively considered respectively,which are the dynamic capacity,elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)minimum film⁃thickness,and maximum bearing temperature.These objective function formulations are presented,associated design variables are identified,and constraints are discussed.To solve complex non⁃linear constrained optimization formulations,a best⁃practice design procedure was investigated using the Artificial Bee Colony(ABC)algorithms.A sensitivity analysis of several geometric design variables was conducted to observe the difference in all three objectives.An excellent enhancement was found in the bearing designs that have been optimized as compared with bearing standards and previously published works.The present study will definitely add to the present experience based design followed in bearing industries to save time and obtain assessment of bearing performance before manufacturing.To verify the improvement,an experimental investigation is worthwhile conducting.

Analysis of 3D curve expansion of conical cam with oscillating tapered roller follower

This paper focuses on the analysis of running conditions and machining processes of conical cam with oscillating follower. We point out the common errors existing in the design and machining of the widely used plane expansion method of conical cam trough-out line. We show that the motion can be divided into two parts, i.e. the oscillating motion of oscillating bar and the rotary motion of oscillating bar relative to the conical cam. By increasing the rotary motion of oscillating bar, the motion path of tapered roller on oscillating bar (i.e. contour surface of conical cam) can be expanded on the cylinder. Based on these analyses, we present a creative and effective designing and machining method for 3D curve expansion of conical cam with oscillating follower.

Influence of the Number of Rollers on a Tapered Roller Bearing

In roller bearings, the outer ring is usually fixed and the inner ring has the rolling motion. Concerning TRB （tapered roller bearings）, this motion generates forces that are transmitted to the outer ring by the tapered rollers. Thus, contact stresses occur and the number of rollers plays a major role with respect to the load distribution. This influence is analyzed in this study by the FEM （finite element method） with commercial code ABAQUS, where two models were evaluated： a common TRB and the same one but with fewer rollers. As an application, a manual automotive transmission was considered for the input loads.

Friction moment calculation method for tapered roller bearings under combined loads

Tapered roller bearings(TRBs) can withstand axial loads, radial loads, and overturning moments. The performance, safety, and efficiency of rotating machinery are directly influenced by the friction moments within the TRBs. However, most current research has relied on empirical formulas that focus on axial loads. Additionally, the friction coefficient between the rollers and the inner ring rib has been defined using simple empirical methods. In actual applications, the loads on TRBs are not purely axial or radial, and simple empirical friction coefficients do not adequately account for the varying lubrication conditions. To address this challenge, this study proposes an improved method for calculating the friction moments of TRB under combined axial and radial loads. This study employs a calculation method for sliding friction coefficients that can model dry, boundary, elastohydrodynamic, and mixed lubrication conditions. To demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method, the friction moments obtained using the existing and proposed methods are compared. Additionally, the influence of TRB structural parameters on the friction moment is discussed. An experimental study is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The findings provide valuable insights for designing TRB structural parameters to minimize friction moments.

Modeling the frictional torque of a dry-lubricated tapered roller bearing considering the roller skewing

In this paper, an equation for the calculation of the frictional torque of a dry-lubricated tapered roller bearing(TRB) is provided in which the effect of the roller skewing is emphasized. Calculations were performed to investigate the effect of the roller skewing on the torque of dry-lubricated TRB for two representative preload methods, that is, axial force preload and axial displacement preload. The results show that a proper roller skewing angle under axial force preload benefits the reduction of the TRB torque. However, the roller skewing angle should not exceed a certain critical value;otherwise, it will cause a steep rise in the TRB torque. Finally, the critical value of the roller skewing angle as a function of the friction coefficient and cage pocket clearance is presented. The developed torque model provides a tool for the internal design and torque optimization of dry-lubricated TRBs.

An explicit solution to a three-dimensional wedge problem considering two edges effect

The paper presents an explicit matrix algorithm to solve the problem of an elastic wedge with three loaded surfaces.The algorithm makes use of a recently published concept of transformation matrix,by which the original surface loads are converted to equivalent loads in half-space.The three loaded edges are considered simultaneously.The developed algorithm is used to study the effects of two free edges of a steel block and tapered rollers with different contact angles.The two load-free edges can substantially increase deformation if the two edges are close in distance.The results of the tapered roller simulation show that deformation is considerably sensitive to the contact angle of the tapered roller.The largest deformation appears at the big end of the roller.Furthermore,empirical formulae for correction factors for the calculation of block or quarter-space deformation based on half-space solutions are summarized.