The application conditions of high-speed deep groove ball bearings for new energy vehicles require the cage to have lightweight, good self-lubricating performance, and high strength. Engineering plastics reinforced with glass fibers have become the material of choice. Compared with traditional steel cages, they have lighter weight and lower friction properties and can meet higher rotational speed requirements. The lightweight cage guided by rolling elements has less friction at high speeds than other guidance methods. Therefore, among the existing common cage materials, it is recommended that the cage material be glass fiber-reinforced polybutylene adipamide (PA46-GF). The cage guides the rolling elements. Due to the structural characteristics of deep groove ball bearings, when using this material as the cage, it is impossible to design a window structure and an asymmetric crown design is usually used.
When high-speed ball bearings are running, the main loads borne by the cage are centrifugal force and the force exerted by the rolling elements on the cage.
(1) At high speed, centrifugal force is an important factor affecting the stress of the cage.
(2) For lightweight plastic cages, under the combined action of radial force and axial force, high rotation speed is the key factor affecting the stress of the cage, and rapid acceleration and deceleration have relatively little impact on the stress of the cage.
(3) The key to the design of high-speed deep groove ball cages: weight reduction of stiffeners and claws, and reinforcement of the bottom of the pockets.
This high-speed cage design direction, on the premise that the cage itself is very light, is not limited to the application of new energy vehicles. It is also applicable to other high-speed applications and has broad guiding significance.