When choosing a cooling fan, the type of bearing is one of the key factors determining the lifespan and performance of the fan. Different types of bearings have different characteristics and advantages, so understanding and selecting the appropriate bearings is crucial to ensure the long lifespan and efficient operation of fans. This article will provide a detailed introduction to several common types of bearings and analyze their respective advantages and disadvantages to help you make wiser choices.

1. Sleeve Bearing

Oil bearing, also known as sleeve bearing, is a type of bearing that uses sliding friction. They are usually made of materials such as copper and aluminum, filled with lubricating oil to reduce friction. The advantages of oil bearing are simple structure, low cost, and low initial noise. However, its drawbacks are also obvious: the lifespan is relatively short, usually around 5000-15000 hours. As the usage time increases, the lubricating oil will gradually evaporate, and dust will also enter the bearings, causing increased noise and vibration, and may even cause the fan to stop running.

2. Ball Bearing

Ball bearings reduce resistance through rolling friction, significantly improving the durability of fans. Ball bearings are divided into two types: single ball and double ball.

2.1 Single Ball Bearing

The single ball bearing combines the advantages of oil bearing and double ball bearing, increasing the service life of the bearing to about 40000 hours. This type of bearing uses a ball bearing on one end of the shaft and a sleeve bearing on the other end, effectively overcoming the short lifespan of sleeve bearings. However, after adding ball bearings, the operating noise increased slightly, but it was still lower than that of double ball bearings.

2.2 Double Ball Bearing

Double ball bearings are high-end products in ball bearings, using two ball bearings with several small steel balls surrounding the axis. This type of bearing has an extremely long lifespan, approximately 50000 to 100000 hours, making it suitable for fans with higher speeds. The advantages of double ball bearings are good anti-aging performance and high stability. However, its disadvantage lies in its high cost and relatively high noise at the same speed.

3. Hydraulic Bearing

Hydraulic bearings are improved on the basis of oil bearings, with larger oil storage space and a unique loop oil supply circuit. This type of bearing effectively extends the service life of the fan while maintaining the advantage of low operating noise. The average lifespan of hydraulic bearings can reach over 40000 hours, and their prices are relatively low, making them the preferred choice for many ordinary installation users.

4. Rifle Bearing

Laifu bearing is an improved version of traditional oil bearing, which is made of wear-resistant material to make a high oil hollow bearing, reducing the friction between the bearing and the shaft core. It also designs a shaft core with a reverse spiral groove and oil blocking groove, which causes the lubricating oil to flow back in the opposite direction when the fan rotates, thereby avoiding the loss of lubricating oil and prolonging the bearing life. Laifu bearings perform excellently in reducing noise and improving lifespan, making them an ideal choice for fans who pursue quietness and longevity.

5. Fluid dynamic bearings (FDB)

Fluid dynamic bearings can be seen as an improved version of Laifu bearings, which use a herringbone groove design to increase fluid pressure and keep lubricating grease fixed inside the shaft center. This design not only extends the service life of the fan, but also further enhances the noise reduction effect. Fluid dynamic bearing fans are quieter during operation and have relatively lower costs, making them suitable for users with high requirements for noise and lifespan.

6. Magnetic Bearing

Magnetic levitation bearings use magnetic force to suspend the rotor in the air, so that there is no mechanical contact between the rotor and the stator. This type of bearing has advantages such as low mechanical wear, low energy consumption, low noise, and long service life, making it particularly suitable for special environments such as high-speed, vacuum, and ultra clean environments. However, magnetic levitation bearings are usually not independent bearing forms, but need to be used in conjunction with other bearing forms, such as magnetic levitation+ball bearings or magnetic levitation+oil bearings.

When choosing a long-life cooling fan, the type of bearing is one of the key factors. According to your specific needs, you can choose different types of bearings. If you pursue long life and stability, double ball bearings or hydraulic bearings are a good choice; If you value quietness more, Lefu bearings or fluid dynamic bearings may be more suitable for you. Of course, price is also one of the factors that needs to be considered. Regardless of the type of bearing chosen, regular cleaning and maintenance are key to maintaining good fan performance.