Optimum design of the roller profile based on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication model

Roller profile modification is often used to unify the pressure distribution and to prolong the life of the roller. In this paper, the formula of the optimum modification coefficient for the logarithmically profiled roller is derived to design the roller profile based on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of finite-length line contact. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this formula, a set of fatigue life tests was conducted. The results show that the optimum roller profile predicted by the presented formula can provide the longest fatigue life. Thus, this method can be directly applied.