Dynamic simulation of a planet roller bearing considering the cage bridge crack

The crack initiation and propagation on the cage bridge surface can change the cage structural stiffness and clearances, which may lead to the cage failure ahead of time and affect the dynamics of planet roller bearing. To detect the initial cage crack failure in the planet roller bearing, the dynamic characteristics of the cage with crack should be studied. In this study, an equivalent stiffness model for the cage bridge is presented to investigate the crack depth and location effects on the cage bridge structural stiffness and impact forces. A dynamic model of the planet roller bearing considering the cage crack is proposed to simulate the dynamic behavior of the planet roller bearing elements. The impact forces on cage bridge surfaces are analyzed, and the vibrations of the cage are discussed.