Effects of Roller End/Rib Curvature Ratio on Friction and Accuracy in Tapered Roller Bearings

To address the uncertainty in selecting the optimal spherical base curvature radius (SR) for tapered roller bearings, this study develops dynamic and friction torque models under combined loading conditions to evaluate three SR configurations—0.85ρp, 0.90ρp, and 0.95ρp, where ρp represents the curvature radius of the inner rib—in terms of load capacity, friction losses, and operational precision. The results indicate that (1) the 0.85ρp configuration minimizes friction by optimizing the contact zone’s fV parameter under combined loads, making it ideal for low-friction applications; (2) the 0.95ρp design achieves superior operational accuracy; (3) the intermediate value of 0.90ρp offers an optimal compromise, balancing friction torque reduction with operational precision. These findings establish quantitative guidelines for SR selection based on specific bearing performance requirements.