The Timken Company
Roller bearing with enhanced roller-end and flange contact

Abstract:

A roller bearing (10) defines a bearing axis (34) and a radial plane (52) oriented parallel with the bearing axis. The roller bearing (10) includes an inner ring (42) having an inner raceway (44) and an inner flange (46) extending from the inner raceway. The inner flange (46) includes an inner guide surface (48). The roller bearing (10) also includes a plurality of rollers (22) in rolling engagement with the inner raceway (44) about the bearing axis (34). Each roller (22) includes a first end surface (24a) in engagement with the inner guide surface (48) of the inner flange (46) as the plurality of rollers (22) move relative to the inner ring (42). The first end surfaces (24a) of each roller (22) define a curvature such that a ratio of a first principal effective curvature (Rx) radius in a plane perpendicular to the radial plane (52) and a second principal curvature radius (Ry) in the radial plane (52) is no less than 3.0.