Mechanical Performance of V-Ribbed Belt Drives (Theoretical Modelling)

A v-ribbed belt is assumed to be a combination of a flat belt and a v-belt with the same radial movement of the two parts. Based on these assumptions a new theory is developed for the mechanical performance of v-ribbed belt drives, which gives a new modification to Euler's equation (capstan formula). The experimental and theoretical results comparison show that the radial movement of the v-ribbed belt with rib bottom / groove tip contact is slightly less than the values without contact.