A serpentine belt, also known as a multi-vee, poly-v, or multi-rib belt, is a single,

continuous belt used to drive multiple peripheral devices in an automotive engine, such as
an alternator, power steering pu
mp, water pump, air conditioningcompressor, air pump, etc.

belt is a looped strip of flexible material, used to mechanically link two or more rotating shafts. They
may be used to move objects, to efficiently transmit mechanical power, or to track relative movement.
Belts are looped over pulleys.
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically, most often
parallel. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently or to track relative
movement. Belts are looped over pulleys and may have a twist between the pulleys, and the shafts
need not be parallel.

A serpentine belt is another type of belt inside the engine. This belt is a V-ribbed belt
that is ribbed along one side. It’s much thinner than a drive belt in appearance. Because of
this, it bends easier and is much more flexible which allows it move and wrap around
smaller accessories inside the engine. Specifically, the ribbed side of the belt will come
into contact with the grooves that are on the accessory drive pulleys and the flat side
comes in contact with a tensioner roller.

The serpentine belt derives its name from its appearance and the way it is able to weave
itself in and out of various accessories and pulleys with eaase. A serpentine belt lasts
longer than traditional drive belts and is much easier to remove and install. This belt also
transmits power between the steering pump, alternator, water pump and air conditioner
compressor.

Advantages of belt drives:

 Belt drives are simple are economical.
 They don’t need parallel shafts.
 Belts drives are provided with overload and jam protection.
 Noise and vibration are damped out. Machinery life is increased because load fluctuations are
shock-absorbed.
 They are lubrication-free. They require less maintenance cost.
 Belt drives are highly efficient in use (up to 98%, usually 95%).
 They are very economical when the distance between shafts is very large.

Disadvantages of belt drives:

 In Belt drives, angular velocity ratio is not necessarily constant or equal to the ratio of pulley
diameters, because of slipping and stretching.
  Heat buildup occurs. Speed is limited to usually 35 meters per second. Power transmission is
limited to 370 kilowatts.
 Operating temperatures are usually restricted to –35 to 85°C.
 Some adjustment of center distance or use of an idler pulley is necessary for wearing and
stretching of belt drive compensation.
