Main components and maintenance of bearings

Bearings are precision mechanical components, mainly divided into two categories: rolling bearings and sliding bearings, with rolling bearings being more common. Taking rolling bearings as an example, we will introduce their main components and maintenance methods.



The core structure of rolling bearings consists of the "four major components", and in most working environments, lubricants are also considered an indispensable "fifth major component".

*Inner Ring: Usually assembled directly on the rotating shaft neck and rotates together with the shaft. The outer surface has grooves for the rolling elements to roll, called * * inner raceway * *.
*Outer Ring: It is usually installed in the bearing seat or the housing hole of the machine to provide support and is generally fixed. Its inner surface also has * * outer raceway * *.
*Rolling element: located between the inner and outer rings, it is the core component of the bearing. It turns sliding friction into rolling friction through rolling. Common rolling elements include ball (steel ball), cylindrical roller, needle roller, tapered roller, spherical roller, etc.
*Cage: evenly separate the rolling elements to prevent them from contacting and colliding with each other. At the same time, it can also guide the rolling elements to move on the correct track and improve the lubrication conditions inside the bearing.
*Lubricant has a significant impact on bearing performance. The main function is to reduce friction, prevent wear, cool and dissipate heat, and prevent rust and corrosion, which is the key to ensuring stable and smooth rotation of bearings. Common forms include * * grease (paste) * * and * * lubricating oil (liquid) * *. In addition, some bearings are also equipped with * * sealing rings * * or * * dust covers * * to prevent contaminants from entering.