Application of Stress Simulation under Transient Condition for Metal Pushing V-belt of CVT

The metal pushing V-belt of a CVT equipped with a torque converter receives a sudden thrust load from the pulley when the CVT starts operation, and is required to begin transmitting torque from a stationary state with minimal time lag. In this study, the stress history of the area around the element neck under transient driving condition was clarified using new structural analysis technology to simultaneously simulate the dynamic behavior of the metal pushing V-belt and the element stresses. These results suggest that the compression stress generated by the load on the element V-surface is a fundamental component of element stress, and that bending stress generated by the compression force between the elements is superimposed on this stress. A comparison of simulation results with test results for the load distribution on the element, conducted to confirm the accuracy of the simulation, demonstrated good qualitative correlation. This paper also discusses the method used to evaluate dynamic strength in response to transient stress and the application to a variety of vehicle start-up conditions to make it possible to determine operating conditions by considering the dynamic strength of the belt.