Finite Element Analysis of a Three-Point Belt Tension Tester

A device developed for use in measuring the belt tension of a power transmission was designed and tested with two types of automotive engine belts, - the timing belt and the V-belt. An elastic finite element analysis using geometric non-linearity properly predicts a measure of the belt tension using the three-point deflection principle. A good agreement was found to exist between the F.E. analysis and the experiments, and it was shown that the accuracy of the measured belt tension depends on the device span. This apparatus is highly reliable with respect to the repeatability and accuracy of the measured belt tension.