Self-aligning ball bearings are constructed with the inner ring and ball assembly contained within an outer ring that has a spherical raceway. This construction allows the bearing to tolerate a small angular misalignment resulting from deflection or improper mounting.   

Features : 

 

With two structures of bore cylindrical or tapered and retainers made of steel sheet or synthetic resins, the bearings are characteristic of their spherically formed outer ring raceways allowing for misalignment within 3 degree deflection between inner ring and outer ring, so as to compensate concentricity and deflection errors.   

 

Applications :    

widely used in mining machinery, power machinery, heavy machinery and textile machinery etc. This type of ball bearing is recommended when alignment of the shaft and housing is difficult and the shaft may flex. The outer ring has a spherical raceway and its center of curvature coincides with that of the bearing; therefore, the axis of the inner ring, balls and cage can deflect to some extent around the bearing center. Pressed steel cages are usually used. Since the contact angle is small, the axial load capacity is low. The permissible dynamic misalignment is approximately 0.07 to 0.12 radian (4 to 7 degrees) under normal loads.   However, depending on the surrounding structure, such an angle may not be possible.