The structure optimization of spherical plain bearings based on Taguchi method

Abstract

The self-lubricating spherical plain bearings is one type of sliding bearings, and it is widely used in the modern industry area. The structural optimization and design about it is complicated. The taguchi method based on orthogonal experiment is a steady design method in engineering, and it is used for structural size determination of self-lubricating spherical plain bearings in selected range for parameters matching. Many optimum proposals are formed, and the optimization goals are the maximum value of contact pressure and the maximum Mises stress difference value of the inner ring and the outer ring. Then, the error component is used to simulate the fluctuation of optimization goals. Two sets of signal-to-noise values are worked out. The final prioritization scheme is determined by computing the multiple SN values, and a new idea is provided to solve the similar problems. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.