How does friction affect bearings?

Bearings play a very important role in a variety of machinery, such as electric fans, cars, and computer fans, will use bearings. Today, let's talk about the relationship between bearing capacity and friction.

Simply put, the bearing must be able to withstand a certain load, and this load is the so-called bearing capacity. If the bearing capacity is not enough, the machine will be at risk of damage. But at the same time, when enhancing the bearing capacity, we can not ignore the friction.

Friction is like an invisible brake on the bearing, slowly eating away at the efficiency of the machine. More friction means more energy consumption, and the machine will wear out faster. At this point, high technology is needed to create low-friction bearings, such as the use of better lubricants or special materials to reduce friction.

Increasing bearing capacity usually results in increased friction, as it requires a more solid and stable structure to support greater weight. Reducing friction may mean sacrificing some of the bearing capacity, because lubricants or special materials that reduce friction may not hold up as well.

Engineers take great pains to balance the two. Sometimes by changing the design, such as using rolling bearings instead of plain bearings; Sometimes through more advanced materials, such as ceramic or carbon fiber. This can ensure the bearing capacity and greatly reduce the friction. Bearing capacity and friction seem to be opposites, but they are inseparable parts of mechanical design. Only through fine design and balance can bearings be used to maximize their benefits.

Let's take an example. In the motor industry, motor bearings must withstand the weight of the motor as well as the friction generated by high-speed rotation. If the friction is too large, the motor will not run smoothly, and even safety risks may occur. On the contrary, if the bearing capacity is insufficient, the motor operation will become unstable. Therefore, choosing the right bearing is crucial for motor performance and safety.