Types of Belt Drive, Advantages, and Disadvantages
Belt drive is an example of flexible machine element used to transmit power from one shaft to another. Belts are the cheapest mode of power transmission. The selection of a belt depends upon;
- The direction of belt motion.
- Power to be transmitted.
- The velocity of shaft and Velocity ratio.
- The distance between shafts, space available.
- Service conditions.
Types of belt drive
The following are the most common types of belt drives used in these days
Flat belt: Flat belt drive is the simplest form of belt drive. It is mostly used where a moderate amount of power transmission is required. They can transfer power up to 15m. Do you know that the upper side of flat belt rive is the slack side of the belt?
V-belt: V-belt used where a greater amount of torque is to be transmitted. In such case, wide pulleys with more than one v grooves are used. This type of belt used only when the two pulleys are very near to each other.
Rope Drive: They used where an enormous amount of power is to be transmitted over large distance.
Timing belt: Also known as the toothed belt or synchronous belts. It is a positive drive belt. They can transmit power at a constant speed with no slippage. They are used in synchronous power transmission.
Advantages of belt drive
- They are simple and economical.
- They can transmit Power over a considerable distance.
- They can protect the machine from overloading by slipping of the belt over a pulley.
- Belt drive can absorb shock and damp vibration.
- The operation is smooth and silent.
- They are durable and require very little maintenance costs.
Disadvantage of belt drive
- Limited Speed range.
- They are not compact.
- Considerable power loss.
- Short service life compared to other mode of high power transmission.
- The velocity ratio may vary due to belt slip
- They inflict a heavy load on shafts and bearings.