Rolling Bearing Terminology and Definition
Bearing: A bearing is a machine element that is used to constrain and guide the relative motion of two objects with respect to each other and ensure smooth operation.
Bore: The part of the bearing the shaft or axle rotates in is called the bore.
Race: The outside surfaces of the bearing that the rollers roll on is called the race.
Rollers: These are the cylindrical objects that fill the space between the race inside the bearing.
Shaft: A cylindrical piece of metal or other hard material that rotates.
Axle: A cylindrical portion of a wheel that protrudes from the bearing, connecting the wheel to the shaft.
Outer Ring: The outer ring of a bearing is the outermost part, on which the rollers rest.
Inner Ring: The inner ring is the innermost part, on which the axle rotates,and it is usually made of metal.
Cage: The cage is a metal or plastic cup containing the rollers.
Closures: Closures are devices that are used to keep the rollers in place.
Seals: Seals are devices used to keep lubricant and contaminants out of the bearing.
Outer Diameter: The outer diameter is the dimension of the bearing from the outer edge of one end to the outer edge of the other end.
Inner Diameter: The inner diameter is the dimension of the bearing from the inner edge of one end to the inner edge of the other end.
Radial Load: The load exerted on the bearing in a radial direction.
Axial Load: The load exerted on the bearing in an axial direction.
Lubrication: The process of coating the moving surfaces with lubricant to reduce friction.
Clearance: The gap between the inner and outer rings of the bearing.
Ball Bearings: Type of bearing that uses balls instead of rollers.
Thrust Bearings: Type of bearing that is used to support axial loads.
Clutch Bearings: A type of bearing that is designed to deliver a predetermined amount of drag between the rotating elements.
Tapered Roller Bearings: Type of bearing where one or both of the races are tapered.
Seperate Rings: Type of bearing where the inner and outer rings can be separated.
Angular Contact Ball Bearings: Type of bearing that supports both radial and axial loads.
Needle Roller Bearings: Type of bearing where the rollers are in the shape of needles.
Four-Point Contact Ball Bearings: Type of bearing where the balls contact the inner and outer rings at four points.
Cylindrical Roller Bearings: Type of bearing where the rollers are cylindrical in shape.
Self-Aligning Ball Bearings: Type of bearing that allows for misalignments of the inner and outer rings.
Split Bearings: Type of bearing where the inner and outer rings can be split into two halves.
Mounted Bearings: Type of bearing that contains pre-assembled components such as seals, locking collars, dust caps, and shaft spacers.
