A Theoretical and Experimental Procedure for Design Optimization of CVT Belts

The design optimization of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) belts requires the characterization of actual operating conditions for a correct description of the boundary conditions to be applied in a belt structural analysis. The complex phenomena involved (friction and dynamical contact between belt and pulleys) determine uncertainties on the load distribution along the belt.

With the aim of offering a contribution in this direction, this paper presents a theoretical and experimental procedure. It allows for the description of stress and strain state along the belt. This procedure has been applied on a prototype and gives results in good agreement with experimentally observed belt life time.