Helical Shift Mechanics of Rubber V-Belt Variators

A very common configuration of V-belt variators for motorcycles considers the correction of the belt tensioning depending on the resistant torque by means of suitable helical-shaped tracks allowing the driven half-pulleys to close/open. The theoretical model for belt-pulley coupling is rather complex for this configuration, where one half-pulley may run in advance and the other one behind with respect to the belt, and requires the repeated numerical solution of a strongly nonlinear differential system by a sort of shooting technique, until all the operating conditions are fulfilled (angular contact extent, torque, and axial force). After solving the full equations, the present study develops closed-form approximations, which are characterized by an excellent correspondence with the numerical plots, and suggests a simple and practical formulary for the axial thrust as a function of the torque and of the tension level. Then, the results of a theoretical–experimental comparison are also reported, and they indicate a fine agreement between the model and the real operation.