E2ZB Approximation of the Cylindrical Roller Optimal Profile to Increase the Performance of Rolling Bearings

Finding an optimal profile for rollers is essential when designing rolling bearings. This optimal profile should result in reduced stress levels and increased longevity of the bearing under various loading conditions. Unfortunately, finding a universally optimal profile for a specific cylindrical roller, regardless of the actual radial forces applied to it, proves to be unfeasible. This paper presents a novel approach for determining the optimal approximation of the profile of cylindrical rollers in rolling bearings aiming to lower the manufacturing costs and to address the edge loading effect. The optimal approximation of the profile is defined as a minimization problem and resolved using a cultural algorithm. The validation procedure consists in comparing the obtained approximation of the optimal profile with the optimal profile considering the maximum contact pressure between the most loaded roller and the inner ring raceway, and the maximum von Misses stress in the inner ring beneath the contact surface between the most loaded roller and the inner ring raceway and the depth at this occurs. The results show great potential and future research is highly encouraged.