Design Principles

The design principle of self-aligning ball bearings allows for misalignment of the inner and outer ring centerlines within a certain range without affecting the normal operation of the bearing. This is achieved using two rows of balls and a common spherical raceway on the outer ring, which allows for the position of the inner ring to be adjusted as it rolls, to adapt to deviations in the shaft alignment. This design permits the bearing to accommodate axial misalignment or bending that is typically caused by mounting errors or deflection of the shaft.

Performance Features

The performance features of self-aligning ball bearings include:

• Self-adjusting capability: Capable of automatically adjusting for axial misalignments, typically handling angular deviations of about 2 to 3 degrees.
• Reduced stress concentration: Stress concentrations caused by misalignments are reduced, thus extending the service life of both the bearing and the shaft.
• Suitable for imprecise mounting of bearing housings: Low requirements for mounting precision, saving installation time.
• Simple maintenance: Usually, no complex adjustment processes are needed.
• Applicable for flexible shafts or shafts that may bend under axial loads.

Application Scenarios

Self-aligning ball bearings are suitable for a variety of scenarios, particularly in the following cases:

• Imprecise bearing housing machining: Where the precision of bearing housing machining is low or difficult to control.
• Misalignment in shaft systems: In applications where the shaft may be misaligned due to installation errors, deflection, or deformation of the shaft.
• Light to medium load applications: Suitable for applications that bear light to medium loads.
• Agriculture and transportation industries: In agricultural machinery and transportation systems that may face poor installation conditions and significant shaft deviations.
• Paper making and processing: In paper manufacturing and processing machinery, due to the potential bending of long shafts.
• Wind power generation: In certain parts of wind turbines where shaft deviation may occur.