V-belt drive and flat belt drive both are common power transmission methods, which use the friction between the belt and the pulley to transmit motion and power, having the characteristics of overload slippage and low operating noise. However, they differ in belt structure, material, characteristics, application and service life.
Shape and Structure
V-belt: V-belt, also known as triangular belt, has a trapezoidal cross section, with a wedge-shaped outer surface and an internal tensile core structure. This structure allows the V-belt to withstand large tensile and lateral forces. The standard V-belt is of ring shape without joints, and its cross section is composed of a strong layer, an extension layer and a cloth covering layer, in which the strong layer is the main body to bear the load.
Flat belt: Flat belt is a rectangular section of the belt, with a flat outer surface. Flat belts have a relatively small cross-section, which makes them very flexible and does not require wedging and pulling out of grooves.
Material
V-belt: Usually rubber as the main body, polyester fiber or wire steel as the reinforcement core and outside wrapped in cloth or special coating. Robust construction, working temperature range from -30°C to 120°C.
Flat belt: Most made of PU, PVC, Kevlar, sponge, nylon, silicone, etc. Simple structure, light weight and operating temperature range -20°C to 80°C.
Performance Characteristics
V-belt: V-belt has higher transmission efficiency and larger carrying capacity due to its trapezoidal section and internal core structure. However, the V-belt produces noise during operation and its wear is also relatively large due to they need to be wedged and pulled out of the groove constantly.
Flat belt: Flat belt is characterized by its high friction, low energy loss and long life service. Flat belt is connected to the pulley surface by high friction, with minimal energy loss. And because of its working method, the flat belt remains almost completely clean and has limited wear during operation. In addition, the flat belt also has the advantages of excellent joint quality, good oil resistance and anti-static properties.
| Performance | V-belt | Flat belt |
|---|---|---|
| Tension Distribution | Evenly distributed across the wedge-shaped contact surface | Distributed across the entire belt width |
| Friction | High coefficient of friction, lower transmission efficiency | Low coefficient of friction, higher efficiency |
| Running Speed | Can reach speed of 25-30 m/s | Suitable for higher speeds (>50 m/s) |
| Noise | Higher noise, especially under high load | Smooth operation with lower noise |
| Load Capacity | High load capacity, suitable for high torque applications | Limited load capacity, suitable for medium to low power applications |
Application Scenario
Typical Application of V-belt
- Industrial Equipment: Such as air compressor, pump equipment, power transmission of heavy machinery.
- Automotive Industry: Used for engine fan, alternator and water pump and other components power transmission.
- Agricultural Machinery: Likely harvester, tractor transmission system.
- Mining Equipment: Heavy load transmission scenarios, such as elevators or crushers.
Typical Application of Flat Belt
- Conveyor System: Such as logistics, electronics, food industry conveyor belt.
- Textile Machinery: Like loom, cloth winder, which require the belt body to be light and smooth.
- Packaging Industry: For instance carton transmission, assembly line.
- Light Industrial Equipment: Such as printing presses, punching machine in low-load transmission system.
Service Life
V-belt: The service life of the V-belt is affected by the wear of the groove, and it needs to be tightened from time to time to maintain the transmission effect. In dusty working environments, the service life of the V-belt may be more limited.
Flat belt: The service life of the flat belt is measured by the amount of bending and the diameter of the pulley. Under ideal conditions, the service life of a flat belt can theoretically be unlimited. However, the actual service life will also be affected by factors such as the working environment and the way of usage.
Conclusion
The V-belt is generally used for power transmission and is ideal for medium and high loads and slippage occasions.
Flat tape is used in scenarios with light load, high noise requirements and high speed operation.
