Theoretical analysis of cylindrical roller bearing with flexible rings mounted in groove elastic support

Based on the structural mechanics and rolling bearing dynamics, this paper presented a dynamics model of cylindrical roller bearing with flexible outer ring and a novel elastic support named groove elastic support(GES), and then the load distribution and cage slip ratio of cylindrical roller bearing with GES(BES) were analyzed. The findings are as following: (1) The number of loaded rollers of BES is more than that of cylindrical roller bearing with rigid support(BRS), and the largest contact load between roller and ring of BES is lower than that of BRS. (2) The number of loaded rollers of BES decreases with the groove number, arc beam thickness and outer ring’s thickness. The smaller radial load, ranging from 500N to 1400N in this paper, has no obvious effect on the number of loaded roller for BES and BRS; (3) Under the same condition, cage slip ratio of BES is much lower than that of BRS. Cage slip ratio of BES increases with the groove number, arc beam thickness and outer ring’s thickness. All results reveal that the GES has a large impact on the load distribution and cage slip ratio in cylindrical roller bearing, and will be beneficial to extend the bearing service life under the condition of high-speed and light-load.