What Are Conical Bearings?

Conical bearings are a type of rolling element bearing that can handle axial and radial loads. They are a good choice for applications that have both radial and axial load demands, as well as misalignment requirements. They are also a good option for applications that have limited space.

Generally, the size of a bearing is based on its capacity to handle different types of loads. For example, ball bearings are best suited for handling radial loads, while needle roller bearings are better suited for high-load applications.

Ball bearings are often used in applications that have a large radial load but are not required to support a thrust load, such as in the axes of roller blades or hard drives. They are primarily made of metal and can be molded to a shape that is suitable for their application.

Needle bearings are a type of cylindrical roller bearing that is typically smaller in diameter than other types of rolling elements. This can be beneficial in some applications as it allows for more rollers to be fitted into a given area.

The outer ring of this type of bearing is called the cup, and it contains a cage, which can be used as a retainer. The rollers and cage assembly are not separable, but they can be mounted separately. The flanges between the rollers and the cage keep the assembly from leaving the bearing raceway at high speeds, so it can help prevent premature bearing failure.

In contrast to spherical roller bearings, which have point contact, the conical geometry of tapered roller bearings creates a linear contact patch that permits greater loads to be carried than with spherical (ball) bearings. This creates less differential scrubbing between the roller and raceway surfaces, which can result in reduced friction and wear.

Because the tangential speeds of the roller and raceway surfaces are the same along the contact patch, they don’t experience differential scrubbing, which can cause surface-wear and premature bearing failure. This means that the rollers can carry heavier loads without scrubbing, which improves their overall performance and lifespan.

Compared to other types of rolling element bearings, conical bearings have a higher capacity and can accommodate more rolling elements in one unit. They can also be used with a variety of different lubricants, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.

They are able to take a larger axial load than spherical bearings, which means they can be used in applications where the axial component is generating an angular component on a bearing. This can be helpful in many industrial and automotive applications, such as in gearsets between gears or in the housing and rotating shafts in car transmissions.

When paired with a spacer, conical bearings can be used to accommodate axial and radial loads in one direction. They are also self-retaining, meaning that the inner ring and roller and cage assembly can be mounted separately from the outer ring to simplify mounting.