Koyo Introduces New Tapered Roller Bearing With Fourth Generation Low Friction Torque Technology (LFT IV)

A new generation of Koyo TRB’s

Koyo Bearings, a division of JTEKT Corporation, is introducing its new range of “LFT IV” Low Friction Torque tapered roller bearings providing further reduction of the friction torque, reaching a similar level as ball bearings but with a better load rating performance.

History of Koyo’s LFT developments

Koyo has provided low friction torque (LFT) tapered roller bearings to the market for over 25 years.

The conventional way to reduce the torque was to concentrate on sliding resistance and viscous rolling resistance. Later the influence of oil agitation resistance was recognized and considered for further improvement. These contributing factors to the friction torque and their relative influence are shown in Fig. 1.

Tackling the sliding resistance factor first, Koyo engineers originally decided to optimize the profile & roughness of the large rib and roller end face, leading to the LFT I generation (Fig. 2 – no. 3).

A further improvement to reduce the viscous rolling resistance was realized by special “crowning” of the raceways, leading to LFT II (Fig. 2 – no. 1).

As a next step the steel cage was redesigned to better control the inflow of lubricating oil (tackling oil agitation resistance) and the internal geometry & raceways were further optimized (tackling rolling viscosity resistance), leading to LFT III in ~2006 (Fig. 2 – no. 1&2).

Additionally, by applying special heat treatment to the outer surfaces of the bearing material, a smaller tapered roller bearing could be selected, further reducing the friction while keeping durability at the same level (LFT III 2). The effects of all these developments on the bearing friction torque can be seen in Table A1&2.

About BHR Bearing ( Shenzhen Qinggong Bearing Co, Ltd.)

Shenzhen Qinggong Bearing Co., Ltd. （www.bhrbearing.cn）is a well-know bearing manufacturer in China since the year 1996 with its own factory. Despite our own BHR bearings, we also distribute kinds of famous branded bearings from worldwide manufacturers SKF, FAG, NSK, KOYO, NTN, NACHI, ASAHI, TOYOTA......and customized OEM service is also available if needed.

We Shenzhen Qinggong Bearing Co., Ltd. is focused and committed to deliver our customers high quality products and solutions because they are at the core of everything we do. By combining technology with our design engineering expertise we are able to offer a breadth of advanced bearings and solutions. Taking this into account we also have the strong commitment to protect the environment and society by developing and manufacturing products which are eco-friendly, energy saving and recyclable.

With variety of bearings, competitive prices, fast delivery and good after-sale service, hope we will get a chance to talk bearings together.