Abstract
Tapered rolling bearings are applied to support differential gears in vehicles. Though it is categorized as radial bearing, axial load is required as preload to support the radial load while preventing the inner ring and the outer ring from separating. However, when axial load is applied to the tapered rolling bearing, starting friction becomes larger. This is due to the increase in sliding friction between roller end face and large flange face of the inner ring. In case of position-preload, the bearing width reduces due to the wear and the amount of preload dwindles. This phenomenon is called ‘preload loss’ but nowadays there is still no report regarding this phenomenon. This study explained the relationship among taper, bearing width and preload loss by observing the change of preload while rotating the tapered rolling bearing. The taper rolling bearing was installed using position-preload. Furthermore, we also propose a bearing mounting method which can reduce the preliminary preload loss based on the previous researches and viewpoints.
