Stiffness Evaluation of Tapered Roller Bearing Using Tooth Flank Film Elements

In order to permit gear units to have higher performance; e.g., higher efficiency and lower driving noise level, an appropriate tooth contact pattern is required. The tooth contact pattern is affected by the stiffness of bearings, shafts and a gear case. Therefore, it is important in design process of gear units to evaluate the stiffness of these elements precisely. Stiffness of bearings is generally calculated using the method proposed by Harris. However, the stiffness of a tapered roller bearing subject to axial and radial load calculated by the method is different from the our measured one. Thus, the stiffness of tapered roller bearings under axial and radial load was analyzed and evaluated by using Tooth Flank Film Elements (TFFEs) for the contact problem. As a result, the change in calculated stiffness by TFFEs coincided with measured one especially in large displacement area. Furthermore, the appropriate bearing stiffness was obtained in consideration of the clearance between the inner and outer raceway and the deviation in the diameter of each tapered roller.