Bearing structure and the role of each component

Bearing, as an important component in mechanical equipment, undertakes the important task of supporting and reducing friction. It can effectively reduce the energy loss in the rotating process and improve the operating efficiency of the equipment by rolling motion. This paper will deeply discuss the bearing structure and the role of each component, in order to provide a valuable reference for technicians in related fields.

First, the basic structure of bearings

The basic structure of the bearing includes four main parts: inner ring, outer ring, rolling element and cage. Despite the wide variety of modern bearings, their basic structure bears a striking resemblance to the bearing structure conceived by Leonardo Da Vinci 500 years ago.

 Inner ring 

The inner ring is a ring part that is closely matched with the shaft and rotates together. Its material is usually made of bearing steel GCr15, and the hardness reaches HRC60~64 after heat treatment to ensure that it can withstand large loads and maintain high wear resistance. The inner ring is designed so that it can be tightly fixed to the shaft, thus ensuring that the bearing can run smoothly with the rotation of the shaft.

 Outer ring 

The outer ring is a transitional fit with the bearing seat or the mechanical housing hole, which mainly plays a supporting role. It is made of the same material as the inner ring and is also bearing steel GCr15, which has undergone the same heat treatment process. The outer ring is fixed to the bearing seat or housing to provide stable support for the bearing, enabling it to withstand loads from the direction of the shaft.

 Rolling element 

The rolling element is the core part in the bearing, which is evenly arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring by means of a cage, and reduces friction through rolling motion. The shape, size and number of rolling elements directly affect the bearing load capacity and performance. There are two common rolling bodies, ball and roller. The rolling body of ball bearing is spherical, which is suitable for bearing radial load; Roller bearings have cylindrical or conical rolling elements, which are suitable for bearing combined radial and axial loads.

 Cage 

The main function of the cage is to avoid contact between the rolling elements, so that the rolling elements maintain a certain interval, so as to ensure that the bearing can rotate smoothly. At the same time, the cage can also guide the rotation of the rolling element and improve the lubrication performance inside the bearing. According to the use conditions and types of bearings, different types of cages can be selected, such as steel plate stamping cages, copper alloy turned solid cages, etc.

Second, the classification of bearings

Bearings are classified in a variety of ways, according to the different frictional properties of moving components, bearings can be divided into rolling bearings and plain bearings two categories. This paper mainly discusses rolling bearings, which can be further subdivided into a variety of types, such as radial bearings and thrust bearings.

 Radial bearing 

Radial bearings mainly bear forces perpendicular to the direction of the shaft. According to the different rolling elements, radial bearings can be divided into ball bearings and roller bearings. The rolling body of ball bearing is spherical, which is suitable for high-speed and high-precision occasions; Roller bearings are cylindrical or conical, suitable for bearing heavy loads and impact loads.

 Thrust bearing 

Thrust bearings mainly bear forces in the same direction as the shaft. It is usually composed of a shaft ring, a seat ring and a rolling body. The shaft ring is closely matched with the shaft and moves together, and the seat ring is transitionally matched with the bearing seat or the housing and plays a supporting role. Thrust bearings are suitable for bearing axial loads, such as crane hooks, vertical water pumps, etc.

Third, the role of each component

Each component of the bearing plays its own unique role in the operation of the bearing, and they cooperate with each other to ensure that the bearing can rotate smoothly and stably.

 Raceway ring 

The raceway ring is the key part in the bearing, which provides the track for the rolling element to roll. The inner and outer surfaces of the raceway ring are precisely machined to ensure smoothness and accuracy. The inner ring and the outer ring are matched with the shaft and bearing seat respectively to bear the load from the direction of the shaft and transfer the load to the rolling body.

 Rolling element 

The rolling element is the core part of the bearing, which reduces friction and energy loss through rolling motion. The shape, size and number of rolling elements directly affect the bearing load capacity and performance. In the process of bearing operation, the rolling body rolls between the raceway rings, transferring the load from the inner ring to the outer ring, so as to realize the support and transmission functions of the bearing.

 Cage 

The main function of the cage is to prevent the rolling elements from contacting each other, so as to avoid friction and wear between the rolling elements. It ensures smooth rolling by evenly separating the rolling elements. At the same time, the cage can also guide the rotation direction of the rolling element, improve the lubrication performance inside the bearing, and improve the service life of the bearing.

Four, bearing lubricant

In order to ensure that the bearing can rotate stably and smoothly, it is necessary to further reduce the friction of the rolling movement and prevent the wear of the parts. And it's the lubricant that does the heavy lifting. Bearings commonly used lubricants include semi-solid (paste) grease and liquid lubricating oil.

 Grease 

Grease is a semi-solid type of lubricant, which has high adhesion and anti-loss properties. The grease can form a protective film inside the bearing to prevent direct contact between the rolling element and the raceway ring, thereby reducing friction and wear. At the same time, the grease can also play the role of rust prevention, corrosion prevention and sealing, and improve the service life of the bearing.

 Lubricating oil 

Lubricating oil is a kind of liquid lubricant, which has good fluidity and heat dissipation. The lubricating oil can form an oil film inside the bearing, separating the friction surface between the rolling element and the raceway ring, thereby reducing friction and energy loss. At the same time, the lubricating oil can also take away the heat inside the bearing, reduce the temperature of the bearing, and prevent the bearing from overheating and damage.

5, bearing application and maintenance

Bearings are widely used in various mechanical equipment, such as automobiles, machine tools, motors, fans and so on. They bear the load from the axis direction to ensure the normal operation of the equipment. However, bearings will also be affected by various factors during use, such as load size, rotation speed, working environment and so on. Therefore, it is essential to carry out reasonable maintenance and maintenance of bearings.

 Select the right bearing 

When selecting bearings, the appropriate bearing type and specifications should be selected according to the working conditions and load requirements of the equipment. At the same time, the performance indicators such as the accuracy, stiffness and wear resistance of the bearing should also be considered to ensure that the bearing can meet the requirements of the equipment.

 Regular lubrication 

Regular lubrication of bearings is an important measure to keep bearings in good running condition. A reasonable lubrication cycle and lubrication amount should be formulated according to the service conditions of the bearing and the type of lubricant. At the same time, the lubricant should also be replaced regularly to prevent the lubricant from aging or deterioration and affecting the lubrication effect of the bearing.

 Check and replace 

Regular inspection and replacement of bearings is an effective way to prevent bearing failure. In the inspection process, attention should be paid to observing the operating status of the bearing, sound and temperature parameters, and timely detection and handling of abnormal conditions. For bearings that have been damaged or seriously worn, they should be replaced in time to avoid causing greater damage to the equipment.

Vi. Conclusion

Bearing as an important component in mechanical equipment, its structure and the role of each component is crucial to the normal operation of the equipment. Through in-depth understanding of the structure and working principle of bearings, we can better select, use and maintain bearings, and improve the operating efficiency and reliability of equipment. At the same time, with the continuous development of science and technology, new bearing materials and lubrication technology continue to emerge, bearing performance and service life will be further improved.

In this paper, the structure of bearing and the function of each component are discussed in detail, including the functions and characteristics of key parts such as inner ring, outer ring, rolling element and cage. At the same time, the classification of bearings, the selection of lubricants and the application and maintenance of bearings are also introduced. It is hoped that the introduction of this paper can provide valuable reference and reference for technicians in related fields.