Characteristics of Tapered Roller Bearing with Geometric Error

Abstract

This study investigates the characteristics of a tapered roller bearing with bearing races that have geometric error. In particular, the out-of-roundness errors of the inner and outer races, which may occur during the manufacturing process or as a result of improper loadings, are considered. To this end, a dynamic model of a tapered roller bearing that includes out-of-roundness errors in its races was developed. The bearing model is assumed to be subjected to combined radial and axial loadings. From the developed model, the rotational angle-dependent characteristics regarding the bearing stiffness matrix, roller-race contact forces, and bearing displacements were obtained. The developed model was then validated by comparing the stiffness of an ideal tapered roller bearing from a commercial program with the quasistatic bearing stiffness of the developed model. Simulations were performed to investigate the effects of the geometric error on the characteristics of the tapered roller bearing. The errors were found to significantly affect the bearing stiffness and displacement as a result of the significant changes in the roller-race interaction. The stiffness characteristics of the tapered roller bearing with geometric error were further investigated along with the radial load and rotational speed effects.