Experimental identification of the torque losses in V-ribbed belt drives using the response surface method

Abstract

A drop in the transmitted torque is one of the concerns regarding the performance of belt drives, which affects the efficiency of the power transmission. In this study, the torque loss behaviour of a V-ribbed belt drive with two equal-sized pulleys is investigated using several experimental methodologies. The individual effects of belt-drive parameters are determined with the one-factor-at-a-time test method. The relation between the parameters and the torque loss is found via response surface methodology. Afterwards, the operating conditions are optimized for the minimum torque loss. A test is conducted using the optimum parameter values. The difference between the percentage torque loss predicted by the response surface curve and the experimental result is found to be 8.5%. Furthermore, the predicted model looks reasonably accurate on the basis of the analysis of variance and the residual analysis. Using the response curve, the torque loss may be estimated for similar belt drives.