How does the structural design of a four-point contact ball bearing achieve the ability to withstand both radial and axial loads?

Four-point contact ball bearings are highly flexible mechanical components that can withstand radial and axial loads at the same time due to their special structural design. They play an important role in industrial applications. This article will discuss in detail their structural characteristics, mechanical principles and practical applications, and explain how they can effectively meet the multi-dimensional load requirements in complex mechanical environments.

1. Structural characteristics of four-point contact ball bearings
Four-point contact ball bearings are single-row angular contact ball bearings. Their inner or outer rings are usually divided into two parts to form a unique groove structure, so that the ball forms four contact points with the inner and outer rings at the same time. The key features of this design include:

Separated groove: The segmented design of the inner or outer ring allows the bearing ball to contact at four points at the same time, optimizing the distribution of force.
Contact angle optimization: The position of the contact point determines the radial and axial load capacity of the bearing. Four-point contact ball bearings usually have a contact angle of 35° or 45°, which is suitable for bearing high axial forces and certain radial forces at the same time.
Compact design: The single-row structure reduces the bearing volume compared to double-row bearings, and is suitable for scenarios with limited installation space.
2. The principle of bearing radial and axial loads at the same time
The multi-load bearing capacity of the four-point contact ball bearing comes from its special contact angle and mechanical distribution.

Transmission of axial load: When the axial load is applied, the ball transmits the force to the inner and outer rings through four contact points, effectively decomposing the load and improving the force bearing capacity.

Support of radial load: The radial load is evenly distributed on the inner and outer rings through the ball, ensuring that the bearing can operate stably and avoiding stress damage caused by excessive concentrated force.
Load decomposition: The four contact points make the load path smoother and reduce vibration and noise during bearing operation.

3. How to achieve excellent performance
In order to ensure the efficient operation of the four-point contact ball bearing, the following measures are usually taken during production and use:

High-precision manufacturing: The precise matching of the groove angle and the ball radius ensures the stability of the contact point position and avoids deviation during operation.
High-quality materials: High-carbon chromium bearing steel or ceramic materials are often used to provide higher strength and wear resistance to adapt to long-term load action.
Optimized lubrication system: Proper lubrication can not only reduce friction, but also reduce the temperature rise between contact points, thereby improving load capacity and service life.
4. Advantages in practical applications
Four-point contact ball bearings have outstanding performance in many fields due to their compact structure and superior performance:

Industrial robots: In multi-axis motion, complex radial and axial loads need to be frequently borne, and four-point contact ball bearings can provide high-precision support.

Wind turbines: The radial and axial composite forces generated during the rotation of the blades are stably transmitted through four-point contact ball bearings, extending the life of the equipment.

Aerospace equipment: In high-speed, high-temperature, and high-load environments, four-point contact ball bearings ensure equipment safety with their high reliability.

5. Future design trends
With the continuous improvement of industrial demand, the design of four-point contact ball bearings is developing in the following directions:

Lighter materials: Use ceramics or composite materials to reduce weight and improve motion efficiency.

Higher contact accuracy: Optimize contact angle design through advanced manufacturing processes and simulation technologies to improve load bearing capacity.

Intelligent monitoring system: Integrate sensors in the bearings to monitor the operating status in real time, improve service life and performance reliability.