Belt and chain drives

Semester IV Automobile engineering

• If very large ratios of speed reduction are required in the drive, gear
reducers are desirable because they can typically accomplish large
reductions in a rather small package.
• However, gear reducers are available only at discrete reduction ratios.
• At the low-speed, high-torque condition, chain drives become desirable.
The high torque causes high tensile forces to be developed in the chain.
The elements of the chain are typically metal, and they are sized to
withstand the high forces.
• In general, belt drives are applied where the rotational speeds are
relatively high, as on the first stage of speed reduction from an electric
motor or engine. The linear speed of a belt is usually 8000 to 20000 m/min.
which results in relatively low tensile forces in the belt
Objectives
• Describe the basic features of a belt drive system.
• Describe several types of belt drives.
• Specify suitable types and sizes of belts and sheaves to transmit a given
level of power at specified speeds for the input and output sheaves.
• Specify the primary installation variables for belt drives, including center
distance and belt length.
• Describe the basic features of a chain drive system.
• Describe several types of chain drives.
• Specify suitable types and sizes of chains and sprockets to transmit a given
level of power at specified speeds for the input and output sprockets
Contents
• Types of Belt Drives
• V-Belt Drives
• V-Belt Drive Design
• Chain Drives
• Design of Chain Drives
Types of belts
Basic belt drive geometry
Examples of belt construction
V-BELT DRIVE DESIGN
• The basic data required for drive • The belt length
selection are the following • The size of the driving and
• The rated power of the driving driven sheaves
motor or other prime mover • The correction factor for belt
• The service factor based on the length
type of driver and driven load • The correction factor for the
• The center distance angle of wrap on the smaller
• The power rating for one belt as sheave
a function of the size and speed • The number of belts
of the smaller sheave • The initial tension on the belt
A few guidelines for design
• Adjustment for the center distance must be provided in both
directions from the nominal value. The center distance must be
shortened at the time of installation to enable the belt to be placed in
the grooves of the sheaves without force.
• If fixed centers are required, idler pulleys should be used. It is best to
use a grooved idler on the inside of the belt, close to the large sheave.
• The nominal range of center distances should be D2 < C < 3 (D2 + D1)
• The angle of wrap on the smaller sheave should be greater than 120°.
A few guidelines for design (contd.)
• Most commercially available sheaves are cast iron, which should be limited
to 20000-m/min belt speed.
• Consider an alternative type of drive, such as a gear type or chain, if the
belt speed is less than 3000 m/min.
• Ensure that the shafts carrying mating sheaves are parallel and that the
sheaves are in alignment so that the belts track smoothly into the grooves.
• Belts must be installed with the initial tension recommended by the
manufacturer.
• Tension should be checked after the first few hours of operation because
seating and initial stretch occur.
 ANALYSIS OF BELT TENSIONS
Considering equilibrium of forces in X and
Y directions
Forces on V-Belt
Comparison
• The equations of flat and V-belt are identical except that the
coefficient of friction f in flat belt drive is replaced by f /sin(θ/2) in
case of V-belt. In other words, the effective coefficient of friction in V-
belt is [f /sin(θ/2)] as compared to [ f ] of flat belt.
• Therefore, for identical materials of belt and pulleys, the coefficient of
friction of V-belt is 1/sin(θ/2) times that of flat belt. Consequently, the
power-transmitting capacity of V-belt is much more than that of flat
belt. Therefore, V-belts are more powerful.
• Due to increased frictional force, the slip is less in V-belt compared
with flat belt.
Timing Belts
• A timing belt is made of a
rubberized fabric coated with a
nylon fabric, and has steel wire
within to take the tension load.
It has teeth that fit into grooves
cut on the periphery of the
pulleys. A timing belt does not
stretch appreciably or slip and
consequently transmits power at
a constant angular-velocity ratio.
No initial
• These belts are constructed with ribs or teeth across the underside of
the belt. The teeth mate with corresponding grooves in the driving
and driven pulleys, called sprockets, providing a positive drive without
slippage. Therefore, there is a fixed relationship between the speed of
the driver and the speed of the driven sprocket. For this reason they
are often called timing belts.
Timing Belts
• No initial tension is needed.
• Can operate over a very wide
range of speeds.
• have efficiencies in the range of
97 to 99 percent.
• require no lubrication, and are
quieter than chain drives.
Chain Drives
• A chain is a power transmission element made as a series of pin-
connected links. The design provides for flexibility while enabling the
chain to transmit large tensile forces.
• The most common type of chain is the roller chain, in which the roller
on each pin provides exceptionally low friction between the chain and
the sprockets
• The chains are used for velocities up to 25 m / s and for power upto
110 kW.
Types of roller chain
Standard roller chain, single strand

Standard roller chain, two-strand

(also available with three and four
strands)

Heavy series roller chain

Double-pitch drive chain

Double-pitch conveyor chain

DESIGN OF CHAIN DRIVES
• The ratings are based on the speed of the smaller sprocket and an
expected life of approximately 15 000 hours.
• For a given speed, the power capacity increases with the number of teeth
on the sprocket. Of course, the larger the number of teeth, the larger the
diameter of the sprocket. Note that the use of a chain with a small pitch on
a large sprocket produces the quieter drive.
• For a given sprocket size, the power capacity increases with increasing
speed up to a point; then it decreases. Fatigue due to the tension in the
chain governs at the low to moderate speeds; impact on the sprockets
governs at the higher speeds. Each sprocket size has an absolute upper-
limit speed due to the onset of galling between the pins and the bushings
of the chain. This explains the abrupt drop in power capacity to zero at the
limiting speed
DESIGN OF CHAIN DRIVES
• The ratings are for a single strand of chain. Although multiple strands
do increase the power capacity, they do not provide a direct multiple
of the single-strand capacity. Multiply the capacity in the tables by the
following factors.
• Two strands: Factor =1.7
• Three strands: Factor = 2.5
• Four strands: Factor = 3.3
Design Guidelines for chain drives
• The minimum number of teeth in a sprocket should be 17 unless the drive is
operating at a very low speed, under 100 rpm.
• The maximum speed ratio should be 7.0, although higher ratios are feasible. Two
or more stages of reduction can be used to achieve higher ratios.
• The center distance between the sprocket axes should be approximately 30 to 50
pitches (30 to 50 times the pitch of the chain).
• The larger sprocket should normally have no more than 120 teeth.
• The preferred arrangement for a chain drive is with the centerline of the
sprockets horizontal and with the tight side on top.
• The chain length must be an integral multiple of the pitch, and an even number
of pitches is recommended. The center distance should be made adjustable to
accommodate the chain length and to take up for tolerances and wear. Excessive
sag on the slack side should be avoided, especially on drives that are not
horizontal.
• The pitch diameter of a sprocket with N teeth for a chain to be
calculated
• The minimum sprocket diameter and therefore the minimum number
of teeth in a sprocket are often limited by the size ofthe shaft on
which it is mounted. Check the sprocket catalog.
• The arc of contact, θ1, of the chain on the smaller sprocket should be
greater than 120 degrees
Advantages and Disadvantages of Chain Drive
over Belt or Rope Drive
• Advantages
• As no slip takes place during chain drive, hence perfect velocity ratio is obtained.
• Since the chains are made of metal, therefore they occupy less space in width
than a belt or rope drive.
• It may be used for both long as well as short distances.
• It gives a high transmission efficiency (upto 98 percent).
• It gives less load on the shafts.
• It has the ability to transmit motion to several shafts by one chain only.
• It transmits more power than belts.
• It permits high speed ratio of 8 to 10 in one step.
• It can be operated under adverse temperature and atmospheric conditions.
• Disadvantages
• The production cost of chains is relatively high.
• The chain drive needs accurate mounting and careful maintenance,
particularly lubrication and slack adjustment.
• The chain drive has velocity fluctuations especially when unduly
stretched.
• Compared with belt drives, chain drives require precise alignment of
shafts
• Chain drives generate noise