Effects of transmission shaft flexibility on rolling element bearing tribodynamics in a high-performance transmission

In a high-performance transmission, rolling bearings play crucial role in supporting the loaded shafts and gear mesh whilst minimising friction. Prediction of critical speeds dynamic responses is important to avoid prolonged periods elevated vibration amplitudes, which can contribute premature bearing gearbox failure. Nonlinearities such as backlash time-varying stiffnesses lead complex coupled dynamics between gears bearings. current study, an 8-speed transmission discretized modelled by finite element method. The eigenproblem solved using damped modal analysis considering gyroscopic effects. Time-varying stiffness data backlashes are introduced nonlinearities. system response compared for cases linear nonlinear bearings, rigid flexible ascertain significance elasticity. model improves accuracy load oscillation altering transfer path This provides advancement upon existing works, where shaft often simplified. Furthermore, it shown that combination local effects components significantly changes life prediction system-level analysis.