Stiffness Analysis of Crossed Roller Bearings

Abstract

This paper introduces an analytical method to calculate the stiffness of crossed roller bearings. Load distribution analysis of rollers considering combined radial, axial and moment load makes it possible to apply to three dimensional elastic deformation problems. From equilibrium conditions on forces and Hertz contact theory, relational equations are derived. Solving these non-linear equations numerically with Newton-Raphson method, load distribution and inner ring displacement with fixed outer ring are obtained. Also experiment has been conducted to estimate a discrepancy between the analytical and experimental results. Experimental displacement of inner ring is confirmed to be almost coincident with theoretical one under radial load but smaller than theoretical one by about 20% in the case of axial and moment load. On the other hand the difference between the theoretical and experimental stiffness at higher load is found to be almost the same.