A Methodology for Fatigue Life Prediction of Bearing Retainers

In an effort to reduce the design cycle time and to meet increasingly demanding applications, an improved procedure for bearing retainer design has been introduced. This paper discusses a methodology which allows the designer to predict the life and failure modes of a retainer under application conditions. Specific attention is given to the case of fatigue of the retainer due to the dynamic interactions between the retainer, rolling elements and races.

The methodology which has been developed for the life prediction of retainers is based on the dynamic loads and retainer structural integrity. Central to this technique is the ability to predict the loads imposed on the retainer as a function of design and application conditions. The bearing analysis code ADORE has been used for this purpose.

The technique will be discussed by means of an example. The example involves the fatigue life prediction of a roller bearing retainer in a planetary gearset application with overturning moment applied.