Vibration characteristics of rolling bearing cage under speed variation conditions

Speed variation conditions will deteriorate the stress state of the rolling bearing internal components and aggravate the vibration of the cage, thereby affecting the service life and reliability of rolling bearings. In this paper, a nonlinear dynamic analysis model of the cylindrical roller bearing is established considering the rubbing effect and hydrodynamic contact between the cage and the guiding ring, as well as the sliding between the cage and other rolling elements. The vibration characteristics of the cage is discussed under the start-stop conditions and different fluctuations of rotation rate. The results show that the vibration of the cage mainly occurs at the middle and late stages of the acceleration process, and the impact mainly occurs at the middle stage of the deceleration process under the start-stop conditions. Moreover, the fluctuation of inner ring speed will enhance the unstable motion of the cage, among which the vibration and impact of the cage are most severe under the rectangular fluctuation of speed, followed by simple harmonic and triangular fluctuations. The findings can provide a theoretical guidance for improving the performance of rolling bearings and ensuring their safe and reliable operation.