What should we pay attention to when installing tapered roller bearings?

Tapered roller bearings are a type of split bearings, and the raceways of the inner and outer rings are both tapered. According to the number of roller rows, they can be divided into single-row, double-row and four-row tapered roller bearings. In applications, tapered roller bearings mainly bear combined loads dominated by radial loads. Compared with angular contact ball bearings, they have a greater load capacity but a lower limit speed. They are widely used in automobiles, rolling mills, mining, metallurgy, plastic machinery and other industries.

The projection lines of all tapered surfaces of tapered roller bearings can converge on the bearing axis to ensure their load capacity for radial and axial composite loads. The raceway angle diameter of the outer ring of the tapered roller bearing determines its load capacity, and the axial load capacity is usually determined by the contact angle α.

Single-row tapered roller bearings can only bear unidirectional axial loads while bearing radial loads. Therefore, an axial component force will be generated, and another bearing that can withstand the axial force in the opposite direction is required for balance.

The tapered inner ring assembly of a tapered roller bearing usually consists of an inner ring with a roller and cage assembly; it is usually installed separately from the tapered outer ring. The outer ring angle and raceway diameter size are usually not allowed to be changed during design and manufacturing, ensuring the universal interchangeability of the outer ring and inner ring assembly of the tapered roller bearing.

Single-row tapered roller bearings usually need to adjust the clearance during installation; while double-row and four-row tapered roller bearings do not need to, because their clearance is usually given at the factory.

The axial clearance adjustment of tapered roller bearings can be adjusted on the journal by adjusting nuts, adjusting washers and internal threads of the bearing seat holes, or using preload springs. The size of the axial clearance needs to consider factors such as installation layout, bearing spacing, and shaft and bearing seat materials. In high-load and high-speed applications, the clearance adjustment must take into account the influence of temperature rise and appropriately adjust the bearing clearance to a larger size.

In low-speed and vibration-bearing applications, clearance-free or preloaded installation is required. Ensure that the rollers and raceways of the tapered roller bearing are in good contact, so that the load is evenly distributed and the bearing is prevented from being damaged by vibration and impact. The size of the axial clearance should be checked with a micrometer.

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