The Effects of Misalignment on the Forces Acting on the Retainer of Ball Bearings

Abstract

The forces acting on the retainers of rotating radial ball bearings were measured by wire strain gauge. The bearings were operated under radial and/or thrust load with misalignment, that is, relative inclination between inner ring and outer ring, and also under pure moment load. The mechanism of generating the forces is analyzed theoretically, and the cause of seizure or fatigue rupture of the retainers under such conditions is made clear.