What is the main function of a deep groove ball bearing?

The main function of a deep groove ball bearing is to accommodate both radial and axial loads in both directions. This versatility is due to its design, which features a deep raceway that allows for larger balls to be incorporated, thereby enabling it to handle significant amounts of both radial (perpendicular to the shaft) and axial (parallel to the shaft) forces.

This capability makes deep groove ball bearings highly efficient and widely used in various applications, from electric motors to automotive components. They are particularly beneficial in contexts where both types of loads are present, as they can simplify the design of machinery by negating the need for separate bearings to handle different load types.

In contrast, some other bearing types are limited to handling only one type of load. For example, bearings designed solely for radial loads would not be able to effectively manage any axial load, which restricts their application scope. Similarly, while increasing overall machinery speed might be a secondary benefit of using deep groove ball bearings due to their low friction characteristics, it is not their primary function. Thus, their design is specifically oriented towards accommodating a combination of loads, making the selected answer correct.