Design of Transmission

Systems
Introduction
Flexible Drives

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Transmission Systems
Transmission systems transfer mechanical power from a source to another
machine components.

For example In a car, power from engine is transmitted to wheels through

clutch, gearbox, prop shaft and differential, these components are
called transmission elements.

If we consider a lathe, power from motor is provided to a chuck through belt

drive and gearbox, these components are transmission elements.

Flexible Drives (Belt, Chain etc)

Rigid Drives (Gears)

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology
 Flexible Drives
Belts, Chain and Wire Rope Drives are flexible yet capable of transmitting
power.

They are simple in construction and cost effective.

Primitive elements for power transmission.

Classification of Flexible Power Drives

1. Belt Drives
2. Wire Ropes
3. Chain Drives

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Babylonians and Assyrians used chains for the
first time for water drawing machines.

By 1430, rope was used to drive grinding

devices.

In the 18th century - with invention of steam

engine, the power transmission drive with flat
belts made of chrome leather became the
indispensable basis for industrial production.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
1. Transmits power between long 1. More space required
distance compared to rigid 2. Velocity ratio is comparatively
elements small.
2. Absorbs shock loads and 3. Power transmission varies if
provides damping overloaded.
3. The operation is smooth and
silent
4. Provides simple machine design
5. Comparatively cheaper

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Drives
Belt drives are commonly used to transmit
power between two shafts which are
separated at distance.
The belts run over pulleys, the pulley
connected with the source of power is
called the driver pulley and the other
pulley is a called a driven.
Sometimes belt drives may have idler pulleys
also.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Types - Cross Section

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Types - Drives

Open Crossed Drive

Drive

Quarter Turn
With Idler Pulley
Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology
 Belt Materials
1. Leather belt
2. Nylon-Core belt
3. Rubber belt
4. Cotton and Canvas belt
5. Balata Belting
6. Rubber on fabric belt ,etc.,

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Advantages of Belt Drives
Belts permit flexibility ranging from high horsepower drives to slow speed and
high speed drives.
Belt drives are less expensive than chain drives.
Belts require no lubrication.
Single belt drives will accept misalignment than chain drives.
Flat belts are best for extremely high speed drives.
Belt drives cushion shock loads and load fluctuations.
Belts will slip under overload conditions, preventing mechanical damage to
shafts, keys, and other machine parts.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Disadvantages of Belt Drives
Belts cannot be used where exact timing or speed is required because
slippage does occur (only timing belts can be used).
Belts are easily damaged by oil, grease, abrasives, some chemicals, and heat.
Belts can be noisy; also loose or worn belts can be a major cause of machinery
vibration

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Tight Side and Slack Side
When belt is running over pulley, the
friction creates grip on pulley
which creates tension on one side
of belt which makes the driven pulley
to run, this side is called tight side.
The other side does not experience
same tension, that side is called
slack side.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Law of Belting
The centerline of the belt as it approaches the pulley must lie in a plane
perpendicular to the axis of the pulley, or must lie in the plane of pulley, otherwise
the belt will run of the pulley.

Velocity Ratio

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Creep
As the belt moves from slack side to
tight side the tension increases. That
is tension is less in slag side and high
in tight side. This results in
elongation of belt in tension side
resulting in less thickness on
tension side. This is called creep

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Wipping
As the distance between the pulley driven by belt increases, the belt begins to
vibrate in the direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the belt drive.
This vibrations of belt drives is called wipping.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Centrifugal Tension in Belt
When the belt runs round the pulleys, a centrifugal force is produced on the belt.
This force tends to lift the belt from the pulley surface, resulting in more tension
on belt.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology

 Belt Slip
Slip is a type of loss occurring in belt drives. When the friction force between the
pulley and belt is less, the belt moves without rotating the pulley or pulley rotates
without pulling the belt.

Created by Davis Hans S J for Jansons Institute of Technology