Design of Flexible Bearing with Larger Inner Diameter

The flexible bearing is the kernel component of the cam wave generator. In precision transmission applications such as miniature robot joints, flexible bearings are required to have a smaller mass, lower moment of inertia, and larger inner diameter. Based on the theory of conventional rolling bearing, and by considering the working characteristics of flexible bearing for harmonic drive, this paper studies the influence law of structural parameters on the fatigue life of the flexible bearing; achieves a technical approach for expanding the bore size of the standard flexible bearing; and deduces the theoretical formulas applicable to the design of the flexible bearing. The new formula is utilized to improve the design parameters of the flexible bearing. The novel design with smaller diameter and more numbers of rolling elements can meet the above performance requirements compared to the conventional flexible bearing. Under the same conditions of radial deformation and materials used, finite element analysis results show that the maximum equivalent stress in the improved flexible bearing is smaller and that the novel design can meet the strength requirements of the harmonic drive.