We were discussing in our previous post about basic concept of bearings, where we
have seen the important components of a bearing. Now we will go ahead and we
will see here the various functions of a bearing and also we will look here the
need of using a bearing.
Bearings are used basically for performing three
important tasks as mentioned below
1. Reducing friction
2. Supporting the load
3. Providing the guide for moving components such as
shafts or wheels
Reducing friction
Application of a bearing, in any applications, will
have one prime objective and that is to reduce the friction between moving
components.
Let us think the case of movement of shaft within bearing housing,
bearing will reduce the required effort and also require energy here for
providing the smooth movement of shaft within bearing housing by reducing the
friction.
Supporting the load
As we know that load will be dependent over the
direction and weight, bearings are used for supporting the loads in each and
every engineering application. Shaft will always try to push the bearing in a
direction in which load will move.
Loads are basically categorized in three types as
mentioned here
Radial Load
When load direction, which is being moved, is at 90
degree with the shaft direction then that is termed as radial load and in such
loading situation load will try to push the bearing downward direction as shown
in figure.
Thrust load
When load direction, which is being moved, is in
same direction as the direction of shaft then that is termed as thrust load and
in such loading situation load will try to push the bearing sideways direction
as shown in figure.
Angular load
When load direction, which is being moved, is not
either similar or 90 degree direction as the direction of shaft but also if the
direction of load will be a combination of above two then that is termed as
angular load and in such loading situation load will try to push the bearing
down sideways direction as shown in figure.
Angular load in fact will be a
combination of radial load and thrust load.
Providing the guide for moving components such as shafts or wheels
After two important functions that we have discussed
above, providing the guide for moving components is also a very important
function of bearing as without application of bearing, we could not secure
smooth and continuous operation of our rotating components.
Selection of correct bearing is very important task
for securing the required task as if we have selected wrong bearing, it will
not be able to carry the load as required.
Resource:
SKF bearing maintenance manuals
We will discuss the operating conditions for a bearing in
our next post.
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