This work deals with the CAE simulation of the behaviour of a belt employed in a CVT transmission of a large displacement scooter engine.
Both FEM and MBS simulations were performed, in order to estimate the dynamic loads acting on the component and the stress state the belt is subject to.
The MBS simulations were backed up by simple FEM tests performed in order to estimate the elastic properties of elementary portions of the belt. The MBS system comprised the belt and the two pulleys. As a result, the force components the pulleys exert on the belt were calculated.
FEM non-linear analyses were performed in order to estimate the stress state the belt experiences. The belt's both manufacturing and working conditions were simulated. The working conditions' were simulated via FEM and MBS analyses: the former were performed with a detailed description of the belt/pulley interface, under simplified static load conditions; the latter provided insight on the complex dynamic phenomena connected to the high-speed motion of the belt.
Besides allowing to have a deeper insight of the operating conditions of the particular component under study, the present work provided a methodological framework for the virtual prototyping of CVT belts.