The new tandem ball bearing from Schaeffler Group is said to have about half the friction of traditional tapered roller bearings online, which allows tandems to run with higher overall efficiency and lower operating temperatures.Schaeffler’s tandem was developed as a high-performance bearing, specifically for the automotive industry.The new tandem bearing has proven to reduce drag torque by 50%.

Automotive OEMs are actively seeking solutions that can reduce torque, improve efficiency, and increase fuel economy. In today’s marketplace, virtually all automotive suppliers are placing more resources and emphasis on meeting these goals. The establishment by the U.S. Department of Transportation of new fuel economy standards of 54.5 mpg for model year 2025 has prompted OEMs to seriously consider all new technologies that can improve fuel economy. Meeting the 54.5-mpg fuel economy standard will not be easy or inexpensive timken bearings . In fact, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that the cost for new technologies that will enable a common passenger car to meet the new standard will be likely to exceed $2200 per vehicle by 2025. 

Some of these new technologies have already been or will soon be incorporated into passenger vehicles. Technologies such as gasoline direct injection, turbochargers, as well as 8- and 9-speed transmissions along with the first generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles represent the way forward. While the new fuel economy standards appear quite restrictive, the “54.5 mpg” standard represents a higher certification level than that which will be displayed on the window sticker, because tests will have to be carried out under laboratory conditions. The “label” value, which reflects real-world driving, is likely to be an fag bearings  average of 40 mpg. However, the best solutions are often greater than the sum of their parts. As a first step, technologies that can reduce engine torque, coefficient of friction, or rolling resistance will be adapted quickly by most vehicle OEMs. 

One such technology can be seen in the new tandem bearing developed by Schaeffler Group to maximize driveline efficiency. The end result is a new generation of high-efficiency bearings that have proven to reduce drag torque by 50% and increase fuel economy up to 1.5% while helping to reduce CO2 emissions. Another benefit of this new bearing is that the coefficient of friction is much lower when compared to a traditional tapered roller bearing. The end result is that the bearings generate less heat while in operation. This, in turn, helps to keep the axle oil cooler, which will extend overall service life. Another benefit is that the amount of oil required for cooling can be reduced within the axle, and this helps to minimize churning losses. Both the tandem and tapered roller bearings offer the benefits of axial positioning and thrust management of loads; however, the tandem bearing has a much lower coefficient of friction via the use of rotating ball bearings. This difference can lead to much greater efficiency benefits. 

The Group’s new tandem nachi  bearing on line was developed as a high-performance bearing, specifically to meet the needs of the automotive industry. Speaking about the bearing development, Michael Claassen, Director of Engineering for Schaeffler Automotive Chassis Systems Group, said: “The tandem is a good example of Schaeffler’s path forward for high-efficiency bearings. The tandem delivers a significant improvement in overall efficiency when compared to traditional tapered roller bearings.” 

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